Marinkovic: Pristina is using “Muslim solidarity” to expand influence in Southeast Asia

Former Serbian ambassador to Indonesia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Slobodan Marinkovic, stated that Kosovo is attempting to expand its influence in Southeast Asia by leveraging “Muslim solidarity,” but that despite the strong support it receives from Malaysia, no significant shift should be expected from countries that have not recognized its independence.

“I believe they are following a global trend. All major powers and serious economies aim to establish contacts with Southeast Asia. In this specific case, it seems they are using the opportunity for Muslim solidarity, which has existed since the very beginning and the initial recognition of the so-called independence of Kosovo,” Marinkovic told Kosovo Online.

Commenting on the recent “Asian tour” of Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and the opening of an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Marinkovic, who also served as a non-resident ambassador to seven other countries in the region, including Malaysia, noted that Kosovo had previously opened an embassy in Thailand, but that further “serious breakthroughs” should not be expected.

“Malaysia was one of the first countries to recognize Kosovo’s independence, and in other ASEAN and Southeast Asian countries it would be very difficult for them to do the same. Even though this is their second embassy after Thailand, Kosovo cannot make any major or serious inroads. These are vast countries—Malaysia is one of the ‘Asian Tigers’—which, though facing challenges, still has a GDP per capita of over $30,000,” Marinkovic explained.

He is convinced that Kosovo’s diplomacy is trying to assert itself globally by all means available and that it is “natural” to pursue ties with countries that have already recognized its independence.

“It’s important for them to gain visibility anywhere in the world, and they go where they can. Naturally, they went to two Muslim countries that have recognized them, to demonstrate to their own public that they are doing something, that they are advancing Kosovo’s independence. But no major, substantial progress in relations can come of it,” said the former ambassador to ASEAN.

He emphasized that out of the ten ASEAN member states, only four have recognized Kosovo’s independence.

“And in my firm belief, that number will not increase. What matters most to us is that Indonesia—the largest Muslim country in the world—has not recognized Kosovo. Even though it tried, it couldn’t influence the others to do so. Through the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, they’ve managed to push for repeated annual support for the so-called independence of Kosovo, but Indonesia consistently attaches serious reservations, thereby maintaining good relations with us and providing significant support in that part of the world,” Marinkovic stated.

Asked why he believes there will be no change in position or new recognitions of Kosovo, the diplomat argued that the “underlying reasons” for non-recognition in those countries are “strong and well-defined.”

“The fundamental reasons for not recognizing Kosovo among the countries that have yet to do so remain very strong and clearly established. No action by Kosovo can shift the balance of power. It will remain at the level of Malaysia and the Kosovo embassy there,” Marinkovic concluded.