On Feb. 17th, 2008, the nation of Kosovo declared their independence from Serbia. Almost 20 years later, they find themselves without a seat at the United Nations, despite being recognized by over 100 UN member states. Even though United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 was adopted in 1999, removing Belgade’s grasp over Kosovo’s government, it seems that Serbia still keeps Kosovo under its thumb. Serbia and many of its allies, like Russia, form just enough of a minority to keep Kosovo from the UN. The world must end this minority holdout because Kosovo has fought, bled and died for its existence.
For a nation to be added to the UN, nine out of 15 Security Council members must recommend admission, then 129 from the general assembly must vote in favor of the nation. As the UN Security Council stands today, 11 of the 15 recognize Kosovo. Two permanent members do not — Russia and China. They can’t block the recommended admission with a veto but can block bringing topics like Kosovo. The second problem arises with the general assembly, where only 110 nations recognized Kosovo, falling short of the 129 needed for two thirds. The 110 need to be doing more, like economic sanctions, to gain those holdouts.
There needs to be a global push to recognize Kosovo. Nations like Spain and Greece, despite being in NATO and the EU, do not recognize Kosovo. NATO was heavily involved in the Kosovo war. To have two nations that were both members in 1999, even though Greece did not support the air campaign over Yugoslavia, not recognizing the country shows friction within NATO. This friction is not what NATO should present on the world stage.
Spain claims they won’t recognize Kosovo because they fear that by recognizing Kosovo, they will be legitimizing separatist movements within their own borders. They fear Catalonia and Basque would push even harder to break away. However, Spain recognized South Sudan after they voted to become independent in 2011. The Spanish statements about recognition aren’t as tied to the Catalonia question as they make it seem. Countries should no longer claim non-recognition over fears of domestic separatist movements.
We, as a people of the world, must squash the very notion that Serbia has any claim to Kosovo. They have had nothing but old, outdated maps since 1999. Belgrade must give in and see that Kosovo is not Serbia and will never be Serbia. Kosovo fought in 1999 to free itself from the collapsing Yugoslavia. It is time for Serbia to wake up and realize Yugoslavia is dead. The constant grasping at relics from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia only hurts Serbia in the long run. Countries around them are getting with the times and moving past the old borders. Serbia can either do the same or collect dust on a shelf next to Yugoslavia.
We must fight for Kosovo and continue to fight until Belgrade yields. They yielded in 1999 and they will yield again. Kosovo will join the UN — it is not a matter of if, but when, and that “when” should not be delayed nor blocked. It should be embraced and celebrated as a nation and people being seen and heard. The US should be keen on pushing for Kosovo because of a long friendship.
As former President Bush said after Kosovo declared independence, “Kosovo committed itself to the highest standards of democracy, including freedom and tolerance and justice for citizens of all ethnic backgrounds. These are the principles that honor human dignity, they are the values America looks for in a friend.”