By Ambassador Dr. Blerim Reka,
General Consulate of the Republic of Kosova, in New York
- From war to democracy and economic growth
On 12 June 2025, Kosova celebrate 26th anniversary of its liberation from Serbian occupation. As we reflect on 17 years since Kosova became the youngest European state, we can proudly say that the Republic of Kosova is also a successful democratic nation-building story.
The liberation war against Serbia leads by UÇK and supported by USA and by NATO humanitarian intervention, brought an end to a century of Serbia’s colonial ruling, apartheid and genocide against the Albanians of Kosova. We are forever grateful to the USA and our Euro-Atlantic allies for their continuous support towards our statehood, while never forgetting that friends in need are friends indeed.
In 2010, ICJ, with its legal opinion, confirmed the legality of declaration of independence in accordance with international law. We stand strongly in our belief that Kosova belongs in the great UN family, and the path towards membership will be guided by adhering to the human rights and freedoms’ principles, and not by unilateral obstacles in this multilateral organization. As a democratic state, The Republic of Kosova have no issues with any of its neighbors, except with Serbia. And the normalization of relations between Kosova and Serbia is meant to be addressed through a dialogue mediated by European Union. We remain committed to Brussels Dialogue, as a constructive part, but Serbia instead of dialogue threaten our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Within last two years, Serbia did three acts of aggression against the Republic of Kosova.
Today, The Republic of Kosova is one of the most democratic countries. Its annual economic grow is 4%, its GDP and expanded by 4,4% in 2024 (according to IMF). Kosovars have been travelling free to the EU since 1st January 2024, and the Republic of Kosova is regional champion against corruption (based on T.I. Corruption Index). With 5 Olympic medals, including gold, Kosova in 2030 will host Mediterranean Games.
Kosova continues to be the best human rights and minority rights model too, even beyond international standards: with only 4 % of Serb minority, the Serb language is an official language, they have 10 reserved seats in the Parliament, minister in the Government, their mayors of municipalities and veto right for constitutional change.
- An historical background
To understand the actual state of play, let’s share a short historical brief on Kosova with the key dates.
In 1912, Serbian army occupied Kosova, thus starting the colonial rule over Kosova. A year later, the London Ambassadors Conference accepted this un-legal annexation of Kosova fact as a fait accomplice, violating international law.
In 1943/44, in Bujan, representatives of Albanians of Kosova, based on the Atlantic Charter, adopted a Resolution for the right of Self- Determination of Albanians, to allow unification with Albania.
In 1945, communist Yugoslavia neglected the political will of Albanians of Kosova, despite an overwhelming 90% majority population, imposing a martial law, or military dictatorship in Kosova in 1946, thus installing a forced stay within the Yugoslav state.
Since then and until 1966, under the repressive dictatorship of Rankoviq, thousands of Albanians were brutally murdered, sentenced with severely long years of imprisonment, and expelled to Turkey.
Albanians’ demonstrations in 1968, 1981, 1987-89 demanded an equal position of Kosova in the Yugoslav federation, like other Republics. However, the Yugoslav army and police crushed the protests brutally, and on 23 March 1989 dictator Milosevic, (later a war criminal at ICTY in Hague) abolished the autonomous status of Kosova, as a constitutive element of Yugoslav Federation, with its Parliament, and its Executive Council (Government), based on The Constitution of 1974. This paved the way for the installment of the apartheid regime which continued until 1999, whereas a minority of 4% of Serbs governed Kosova with 96% of Albanians.
Popular revolt of Albanians erupted in a liberation war in 1998-1999, which ended with Milosevic capitulation on June 9, 1999, after 78 days of NATO’s humanitarian intervention. NATO’ s bombing against Serbian military and police forces stopped the genocide of Serbia against Albanians whereas more than 13,500 Albanians civilians were killed, more than 20,000 women were raped, and at least 850,000 Albanians were forced to leave Kosovo.
On June 10, 1999, UN SC adopted Resolution 1244/99 by which an international administration (UNMIK) was established in post-war Kosova.
On 17 February 2008, The Parliament of Kosova declared the Republic of Kosova as an independent and sovereign state, and ICJ in 2010 confirmed that the declaration of the Independency of Kosova was in accordance with international law.
- Towards UN membership
The Republic of Kosova is peaceful and one of the most democratic countries in the Western Balkans according to international reports on higher scores achievements in: democracy, rule of law, human rights and minority rights, and media freedom. Kosova’ s constitution, (art. 144, para.2 of the Constitution) represents the best constitutional model for the protection of national minorities in Europe, even beyond international standards.
Although fulfilling conditions set by UN Charter (being a peaceful state, and devoted to peace, stability and good neighbor relations), after 17 years there has no seat yet at the UN, although the Republic of Kosova is devoted to peace (article 2, para 3 of Kosova Constitution), and has no territorial pretensions to other states (article 1, para 3 of Kosova Constitution).
The Republic of Kosova is recognized by 119 UN member states, (recently by Kenya and Sudan), is a member of WB, IMF and dozen international organizations, but still not UN member.
Although with a clear opinion of ICJ (International Court of Justice, 2010), that “declaration of independence of Kosova did NOT violate international law”, Kosova is still not member of UN, due to Russian blockade.
We hope that The Republic of Kosova will become the 194 members of the UN soon. Brussels Dialogue was mandated by UN General Assembly Resolution, and by Brussels Agreement, which is legal binding act, obliged Serbia to avoid any action against Kosova’ s membership to international organizations, including UN.