Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan recognizes Republic of Kosovo

Update 2: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Kosovo today confirmed that the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has recognized Republic of Kosovo. The news was confirmed by the Jordanian Ambassador to the United Nations, HE Mohammed F. Al-Allaf during a phone conversation with the Kosovo Foreign Minister, Skender Hyseni. Jordan becomes the 61st UN Member state to recognize Republic of Kosovo. We send our Thanks to Jordan.

Update 1: The news has also been confirmed by the official Jordan News Agency, Petra. According to Petra the Council of Ministers of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has decided to recognize Republic of Kosovo.

According to reliable diplomatic sources the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has recognized the Republic of Kosovo. KosovoThanksYou team is awaiting for official confirmation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Kosovo, or the Jordanian Foreign Ministry.

While waiting for an official confirmation to be communicated by Jordanian or Kosovar authorities we would like to thank the Jordanian people, His Royal Highness King Abdullah II bin al-Hussein, the Queen Rania of Jordan and the rest of the Royal family for their support to the Kosovar people and state.

Upon receiving confirmation, Jordan will become the 61st UN Member state to recognize Republic of Kosovo.

New Zealand recognizes the passports of Repblic of Kosovo

The Department of Labour of New Zealand announces that the Republic of Kosovo passports are acceptable for New Zealand since June 5, 2009.

The statement says that the Kosovo passport meets the definition of a passport as specified under Section 2 of the Immigration Act. All Kosovo passports issued by the Republic of Kosovo, both standard and diplomatic, are considered acceptable travel documents and thus valid for travel to New Zealand if the holder meets immigration policy.

New Zealand has not recognized the republic of Kosovo as an independent state as yet as opposed to it’s close neighbour, Australia, which recognized Kosovo just two days after the declaration of independence. However, the recognition of the passports is a step forward towards recognition of Kosovo institutions.
Download the Department of Labour of NZ statement

See the complete list of passports

Kosovo confirms admittance to the World Bank

The Prime Minister of Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, today confirmed that Kosovo has been admitted to the World Bank. With over 100 countries being in favor of Kosovo joining the World Bank the admittance sends a strong message that Kosovo is accepted as a sovreign state by countries and institutions of the world.

The World Bank is made up of two institutions, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). World Bank’s main role is to help governments lead and implement development projects. The World Bank Group includes additional three institutions.

Acceptance into the World Bank is significant for Kosovo because, together with the IMF, it gives it access to both expertise and funds for the development of the Kosovar economy, infrastructure and society.

Source: http://www.kryeministri-ks.net/?page=1,9,661

OIC passes resolution on Kosovo

The Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) on May 25th 2009 passed a resolution on Kosovo. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Kosovo this resolution welcomes the progress made during the first year of independence. The OIC resolution also welcomes the deployment of EULEX, reconfiguration of UNMIK and calls on the international community to continue supporting multilateral efforts in Kosovo. The resolution establishes regular updates to the OIC regarding progress of Kosovo, thus placing Kosovo high on the OIC agenda.

The adoption of this resolution marks a significant step for Kosovo.

Earlier this week the Serbian Foreign Ministry attempted to mark a diplomatic victory by claiming that the resolution has been sidetracked and rejected. A bigger question was brought up when the Serbian Foreign Ministry claimed to have influenced the content of the resolution by bringing forth changes that omitted any call for recognition of Kosovo by OIC member states. Although this claim is yet to be verified, diplomatic sources state that the OIC resolution never contained any call to OIC members to recognize Kosovo.

Recognition of states is not in the jurisdiction of the OIC and is entirely up to each member state of the OIC to recognize Kosovo on its own terms.

Flying for Kosovo: James begins his journey today!

James Berisha, a Kosovar-American, originally from Brestovc, Kosovo is beginning his journey today on May 25, 2009 departing at 8:00 am El Paso time (16:00 CET) with his single engine plane starting from El Paso, Texas, USA to more than 30 countries in Central and South America to rally support for newly independent Kosovo.

KosovoThanksYou team enthusiastically supports James’ project and goal to raise awareness among Central and South America countries regarding the Kosovo recognition.

We wish James a safe journey and we encourage him to  fly as a free bird for the independence of Kosovo!

For more information visit Flying for Kosovo

See flying tour map

Kingdom of Bahrain recognizes Republic of Kosovo

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kingdom of Bahrain today announced that it recognizes the Republic of Kosovo. Bahrain becomes the 60th UN Member state to recognize Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state.

We would like to thank HRH King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah, the royal family and the people of Bahrain for their much valued support and recognition.

Update (2): Union of the Comoros recognizes Republic of Kosovo

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Kosovo has confirmed that Union of Comoros has recognized Republic of Kosovo. In a verbal note sent on 14th of May 2009, the Foreign Minister of Union of Comoros, His Excellency Ahmed Ben Said Jaffar, declares that Comoros recognizes Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state and expresses intention for the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

We would like to thank all the people of Comoros for their support to our young state.

Union of the Comoros becomes the 59th UN member state to recognize Republic of Kosovo.

See verbal note

IMF Offers Membership to Republic of Kosovo

After a favorable vote by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) members, Republic of Kosovo has been offered to become the 186th member of the IMF. At a session on May 5th 2009, the IMF members voted to approve membership of Republic of Kosovo to this important economic and financial institution.

The often cited role of IMF is to provide financial assistance to countries undergoing serious economic and financial difficulties but IMF is also highly important in surveillance of economic and financial data, offering policy advice and giving technical assistance. IMF is also active in development of standards and codes for best practices, research and statistics.

IMF is the first global economic and financial institution to accept Republic of Kosovo as a member. It is also a highly crucial one in time of difficult economic reforms when Kosovo needs support in form of expertise and funding.

IMF membership, together with future membership to the World Trade Organization, World Bank, and other important economic institutions, is an important step towards economic progress in Kosovo.

To accept membership, Republic of Kosovo must “formally accept, in accordance with its own laws, the IMF’s Articles of Agreement and all the terms and conditions prescribed in the Board of Governors’ resolution” states the IMF’s press release.

We would like to thank our friends around the world for their support in this very important step.

Source: IMF Press Release

ICJ: 35 UN Member States have filed written statements on advisory opinion about Kosovo’s Independence

International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced that 35 United Nations Member Sates have filed written statements on the advisory opinion about the Declaration of Independence by the Government of Kosovo. The texts of the written statements and of the written contribution are confidential at this stage of the proceedings.

Among the countries that have filed written statements, 21 have recognized  and 14 including Serbia have not recognized the Independence of Kosovo.

Countries that have recognized Kosovo (21): Albania, Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany,  Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Latvia, Maldives, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America.

Countries that have not recognized Kosovo (14): Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cyprus, Egypt, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Iran.

The decision about the advisory opinion is expected to be made sometime in the middle of next year.

See ICJ announcement

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recognizes Republic of Kosovo

[updated]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia declared that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has recognized Kosovo and expressed intent to establish diplomatic relations with the young European state.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi people and HRH King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and the rest of the royal family.

Saudi Arabia becomes the 58th UN Member state to recognize the Republic of Kosovo.

Reports: Saudi Press Agency | Kosovo MFA