ABSTRACT

This edited book analyzes Kosovo’s foreign policy and bilateral relations with the United States and several European countries.

After the 1999 liberation from Serbia, Kosovo built close relations with various countries that supported it in the process of reconstruction, economic stabilization, institution-building, and state-building. From 1999 to 2008, many of these states were politically and operationally engaged in Kosovo under the leadership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). Since its independence in 2008, the Republic of Kosovo has adopted a foreign policy in accordance with its values and strategic interests, a foreign policy that aims to strengthen Kosovo’s security and foster its socio-economic prosperity in collaboration with primarily Western countries. In this volume, each chapter is dedicated to Kosovo’s bilateral relations with a selected state with which it has established diplomatic relations. The book shows that Kosovo has been able to develop and achieve strong bilateral relations with major allies and partners. It argues that Kosovo’s foreign policy aims to develop, maintain, and enhance the position of the young state on the international stage. The volume bridges various methodological and disciplinary approaches in order to present Kosovo’s foreign policy objectives and the trajectory of its relations with some of its most important international partners.

This book will be of interest to students of Balkan politics, state-building, foreign policy, and International Relations.

chapter 1|28 pages

Introduction

Mapping Out Kosovo's Foreign Relations

chapter 2|26 pages

The Dynamics of US–Kosovo Relations

An Investigation of Key Factors

chapter 3|21 pages

Kosovo and Albania, a Special Relationship

Retrospectives and Challenges Toward the Future

chapter 4|22 pages

Bilateral Relations between Kosovo and Austria

An Unknown Friendship

chapter 5|17 pages

Kosovo and Belgium

Dynamics and Factors of a Solid Relationship

chapter 6|15 pages

Kosovo–Croatia Bilateral Relations

A Rapport Beyond Statehood

chapter 7|29 pages

Kosovo and France Bilateral Relations

Between Change and Continuity

chapter 8|16 pages

Kosovo–Germany Relations

Germany's Role in Strengthening Kosovo's Statehood

chapter 9|22 pages

Kosovo and Montenegro

A Relationship Based on Euro–Atlantic Perspective

chapter 10|14 pages

Bilateral Relations between Kosovo and North Macedonia

Condemned to Cooperate?

chapter 11|15 pages

Kosovo and Sweden

A Relationship Based on Values and Principles

chapter 12|28 pages

Kosovo's Bilateral Relations with Turkey

Between Cooperation and Mistrust

chapter 13|17 pages

Bilateral Relations between Kosovo and the United Kingdom

A British Perspective

chapter 14|17 pages

Conclusion

Assessment and Outlook of the Kosovo's Foreign Policy and Bilateral Relations