4 years of Independence, 88 recognitions

Today marks the 4th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence. Since the 17th of February 2008, 88 UN Member states have recognized Kosovo.

A lot remains to be done. A lot of obstacles remain to be conquered.

We want to thank our friends, supporters, those that have faith in us for their priceless support and help.

We, the KosovoThanksYou web site, also want to take this opportunity to thank all of you that make this site what it is. Without you it would not be possible.

Happy Independence Day

Ghana recognizes Kosovo

The Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Mr Behgjet Pacolli, has confirmed for Kosovar media that Republic of Ghana has recognized Kosovo.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has updated the list of official countries recognizing Kosovo and has included Ghana as the 86th UN Member state to recognize Kosovo.

We would like to thank the Ghanian people for extending the hand of friendship and to all involved in securing the recognition from the first independent African state.

MFA lists Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria as official recognitions

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has updated the list of official countries recognizing Kosovo by adding Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria as countries that recognize officially the Republic of Kosovo.

This brings the total number of countries that recognize Kosovo to 85.

We would like to wholeheartedly thank the people of Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria  for their recognitions and freindship.

Thank you Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria!

Gabon recognizes Kosovo officially

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Kosovo has confirmed as official the recognition by Gabon. Gabon becomes officially the 82rd UN Member state to recognize Kosovo, Kuwait being the 83rd. The Verbal Note confirming this recognition was delivered to the MFA.

We would like to thank the people of Gabon for their support and friendship.

Thank you!

Kuwait recognizes Republic of Kosovo

The State of Kuwait has recognized the Republic of Kosovo, reports the Official Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). KUNA reports that Kuwait will soon establish diplomatic relations with Kosovo. KUNA reports that the Minister of state for cabinet affairs Ali Al-Rashed has declared the recognition happened upon instructions of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

We would like to thank the people of Kuwait and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, for extending the hand of friendship to the Kosovar people.

KUNA was founded in 1979 by a Royal decree and represents the official channel of communication for the Kuwaiti government.

Concerning recognitions by Nigeria and Gabon

In the interest of a more solid and transparent process related to securing recognitions; a more coordinated and planned communication plan on the side of Kosovar authorities; and above all, the view that the citizens of Republic of Kosovo have an undeniable right to be informed in a proper and consistent manner about issues that affect them greatly, this site has decided to remove as “official” the recognitions by Nigeria and Gabon.

In addition to the above, there are another two important reasons to do this. The first reason being the absence of an official confirmation in the form of a verbal note. The second being the desire to see a coordinated and unified approach from the side of Kosovar institutions.

The first reason is crucial. Especially in times Kosovo finds itself. The absence of verbal notes renders the whole process unofficial and not in accordance to internationally accepted protocols. Equally, without having established the act as official, the door remains open for decision revisions and influence by those that work against Kosovo recognitions and Kosovo in general.

The second reason is equally critical given Kosovo is still establishing its statehood. International relations and diplomacy need to be done in a coordinated and secure manner. Communication between states needs to follow well known principles, whereas communication with the general public needs to contain supporting materials that leave no unanswered questions.

It is therefore in light of the above stated reasons that the site has decided to remove Nigeria and Gabon from the official list and mark them as states “in process” of recognizing.

We also want to use this opportunity to request that the Kosovar authorities, and in particular the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, establish a focal point in form of a spokesman/spokeswoman, in charge of communicating official and established recognitions to the Kosovar citizens. The role of this individual would be to serve as the main point of contact.

We remain grateful to the people of Nigeria and Gabon and hope the recognitions are confirmed as official in the coming days.

In closing, we want to acknowledge and applaud the efforts made to date by many individuals in securing more recognitions. These individuals include Kosovar officials and private citizens. We also want to highlight that the above is not meant to belittle or devalue the work and dedication of those involved but to emphasize the need for a more protocol-friendly and coordinated approach in reaching our goals as a state.

Kosovo needs and deserves this.

Awaiting official confirmation of recognition by Republic of Côte d’Ivoire

Media reports indicate that the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) has officially recognized the republic of Kosovo. The news comes from media sources reporting the President of Côte d’Ivoire, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, has confirmed the news to the Kosovar delegation in New York. The Kosovar delegation is currently present at the General Assembly event at the United Nations in New York.

This recognition is pending confirmation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Kosovo. Upon confirmation it will be marked as official.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms recognition by Sultanate of Oman

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Kosovo has issued a statement confirming the recognition by Sultanate of Oman. The confirmation that Oman has recognized Kosovo happened during bilateral meetings between the Kosovo delegation and the Omani delegation at the United Nations in New York.

The Omani Foreign Minister, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, has communicated the decision and position of his government to the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, and the Foreign Minister of Kosovo, Enver Hoxhaj, during the meeting in New York.

We would like to thank the Omani people and government for reconfirming their stance and maintaining their friendship with the Kosovar people.

Link: Ministry of Foreign Affairs reconfirmation (in Albanian).

Nigeria recognizes Kosovo

Kosovar media report that Deputy Prime Minister Behgjet Pacolli has confirmed that Federal Republic of Nigeria has recognized Kosovo. During his visit to Nigeria, the Deputy Prime Minister has secured the recognition Nigeria.

We would like to thank the people of Nigeria for their friendship and recognition. Thank you!

Republic of Gabon recognizes Republic of Kosovo

Update: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reconfirmed on September 20th 2011 that the Sultanate of Oman has recognized Kosovo.

Kosovar media report that the Deputy Prime Minister Behxhet Pacolli has confirmed the recognition by Republic of Gabon. It also reports that the Verbal Note sent by the Sultanate of Oman was misinterpreted as a recognition. As a result the Ministry of Foreign Affairs it is claimed corrected this error and has removed Oman from the list of countries that have recognized the Repubic of Kosovo (see: MFA List). Nevertheless Oman still appears on the MFA list.

We would like to thank the people of Gabon for extending the hand of friendship and respect.