Maliqi: Kosovo has been unable to increase the number of countries that recognize it for years

If Kosovo achieves an agreement on the normalization of relations with Serbia, then new recognitions of independence will not be necessary, and entry into international organizations will likely be open, a political analyst Shkelzen Maliqi believes. As he emphasizes, there is still a need to make a "breakthrough" with a few more countries.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Kosovo diplomacy have faced criticism in Pristina for "completely failing" in terms of securing new recognitions, with none since September 2020 when Israel did so. Critics argue that this has significantly damaged Kosovo's image. On the other hand, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has presented data indicating that in previous years, during the governments he participated in, as many as 28 countries revoked their recognition of Kosovo.

Despite Kurti's perceived mistakes in conducting foreign policy, Maliqi believes that the stagnation in obtaining new recognitions for Kosovo is not solely his fault.

"For six or seven years, no government has been able to do anything to increase the number of recognitions. It's not Kurti's fault because there is nowhere to go. There are only a few countries where a breakthrough needs to be made, and that depends on an agreement. If Kosovo manages to surpass this point and reaches an agreement, a normalization deal, and secures de facto recognition, then there will no longer be a need to seek more recognitions. Entry into international organizations will likely be open for Kosovo", Maliqi argues.

"The quantum of recognition" has long been fulfilled, Maliqi claims, but now it is necessary to make a "breakthrough" with other important countries, such as the Vatican, India, and the five EU countries that have not recognized Kosovo.

"Countries under the influence of the West, the pro-Western bloc supported Kosovo under the influence of Americans, Britons, etc. Other countries that are skeptical, including European countries that have not recognized Kosovo, as well as Arab and African countries, are either under the influence of Russia or have other internal problems, such as Slovakia or Spain, which were not ready to recognize Kosovo. Several countries may be close to recognizing Kosovo under certain circumstances, such as the Vatican, which is crucial for Latin America, or perhaps Greece. Recently, there are expectations that even Spain might soften its stance, given the new government's instability. If an agreement is reached, it could lead to breaking the blockade on Kosovo's recognition that exists in Brussels", Maliqi said.