Korkodelovic: Kosovo's diplomatic offensive in Southeast Asia

Foreign policy analyst Borislav Korkodelovic stated that Kosovo is conducting a diplomatic offensive in Southeast Asia in an attempt to gain new recognitions, particularly within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"Osmani visited Malaysia, followed by Brunei, in an effort — which she openly admitted — to persuade or encourage as many Southeast Asian countries as possible to recognize Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence. That is the goal of Kosovo’s diplomacy, and in Malaysia and Brunei it is finding fertile ground. Malaysia is an important Muslim country, one of the first to recognize Kosovo’s declaration of independence, and also the first Asian country to open a liaison office in Pristina. Malaysian police and military forces have served as part of the UN mission. This is an ongoing process," Korkodelovic told Kosovo Online.

Commenting on Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani’s recent Asian tour, Korkodelovic pointed out that these are destinations from which Pristina is trying to continue the process of gaining recognition of independence.

"In Malaysia and Brunei, they are continuing that process. Malaysia and Brunei are members of ASEAN, a very important economic, political, and diplomatic grouping, about which we don’t know much," he said.

He added that Kosovo is trying to take advantage of Malaysia’s presidency of this organization until the end of the year to secure new recognitions or greater benefits.

"ASEAN is a very significant economic, political, and diplomatic group of Southeast Asian countries. At the moment, we are in a good position. How long that will last is another question, since there are ten member states," he explained.

He recalled that Malaysia is one of the strongest Muslim countries in this part of the world, which was active during the breakup of Yugoslavia, especially during the war in Bosnia.

"There’s a certain irony in the fact that Malaysia unconditionally recognizes Kosovo, while it faces secessionist movements in at least three of its own provinces: Johor, Sarawak, and Sabah. At the same time, it has a major territorial dispute with the Philippines over the area formerly known as North Borneo, now Sarawak. The Philippines claims it as their territory. So Malaysia itself has unresolved territorial and ethnic issues, yet it actively supports others in similar disputes," said Korkodelovic.

He emphasized that it is of key importance for Serbia that the largest and most politically and economically influential country in this part of the world — Indonesia — remains principled in its non-recognition of Kosovo.

"Serbia has a strong position here, as thanks to the efforts of our diplomacy, it has become a partner of ASEAN. Kosovo has not yet achieved that status. Perhaps Malaysia is now attempting to initiate it," Korkodelovic concluded.