Four recognitions the result of geopolitical developments, not a success of Kosovo’s diplomacy

During the past year, Kosovo was recognized by Kenya, Sudan, Syria, and the Bahamas. While politicians across the political spectrum welcomed these recognitions, they are not perceived as a direct success of Kosovo’s diplomacy, but rather as a result of global political developments. During 2025, criticism was also voiced against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs due to the absence of Kosovo’s membership in international organizations, as well as a deterioration in bilateral relations with allies, Kosova Press reports.

Professor of international relations Dritero Arifi says that Kosovo’s foreign policy should be viewed in a broader context and as a reflection of domestic politics.

“In foreign policy there is always a theory that says foreign policy is a reflection of domestic policy. Even if Bill Gates and Elon Musk were ministers of foreign affairs, they would not be able to regulate Kosovo’s foreign policy, because it is linked to domestic politics and decision-making, which is then reflected in foreign policy,” Arifi told Kosova Press.

According to him, the recent recognitions cannot be described as a direct success of Kosovo’s diplomacy, as they largely came as a result of global geopolitical developments.

“I cannot call this a success, because the recognitions came as a result of geopolitical changes in the world. It must be understood that the state of Kosovo generally has merit, but very few individuals do. Long and coherent work is required to achieve recognition. Circumstances within the country must change for us to be recognized. Recognition by Syria did not come because we lobbied strongly; rather, it came as a result of changes within Syria and in relations between Syria and the United States. Then, the involvement of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and several other factors influenced the achievement of this issue,” Arifi explained.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora did not respond to Kosova Press regarding the implementation of that ministry’s obligations over the past year.

On the other hand, clear objections are being voiced by the opposition.

Artan Behrami, a member of the leadership of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, sharply criticized the government of Albin Kurti and the direction of diplomacy, assessing that “Kosovo’s foreign policy has been suspended.”

“Kurti’s government and Donika Gërvalla, together with the president, have suspended foreign policy. They have halted the campaign for the recognition of Kosovo and Kosovo’s aspirations for membership in international organizations,” Behrami said.

He also stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been “emptied” of experienced diplomats who, according to him, had achieved tangible results in terms of recognition and Kosovo’s membership in international organizations.

“More than 30 career diplomats and diplomats who had tangible successes have left. In their place, the Ministry, diplomatic missions, and embassies have been filled with militants who do not serve Kosovo’s national interests, but the interests of Self-Determination,” Behrami said.

Criticism is also coming from the Democratic League of Kosovo, which likewise assesses that concrete results in foreign policy have been lacking.

Jehona Lushaku, a member of the DSK leadership, said that there has been no intensification of diplomatic activity during the mandate of the still-incumbent government.

“Bilateral diplomacy and Kosovo’s relations with countries around the world are built with great seriousness, through the exchange of ambassadors and representations, and lobbying on issues of interest. However, we have not seen an intensification of such diplomatic actions. We have not seen new memberships of Kosovo in international organizations, while, in the meantime, there have been symbolic recognitions for which we applauded,” Lushaku noted.

She stated that Kosovo has exceptional potential to build relations and maintain friendships, which, in her view, were not forged during Kurti’s government.

“Kosovo has lost its position and its alliances; there has been no intensification or signing of bilateral agreements with friendly countries. There was no coordination on many issues when Kosovo could have benefited from certain political situations. Therefore, I think there is much that can be improved. Kosovo has lost its position, and this will cost us in the coming years,” Lushaku said.

During 2025, Kosovo was recognized by Kenya, Sudan, Syria, and the Bahamas.

Kosovo had been waiting for these recognitions since 2020, when Israel recognized it as a result of the Washington Agreement, Kosova Press recalls.

In that period, during 2023 and 2024, Kosovo went through two phases toward membership in the Council of Europe, but the issue of membership was left off the agenda of last year’s meeting of the Council of Europe’s foreign ministers, where the decision is taken.

In addition, Kosovo’s application for membership in the European Union submitted in 2022 has still not been considered.

Nevertheless, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani recently stated that Kosovo has entered a “new pace” in securing new international recognitions and that good news in this regard is expected in the first half of this year.