KOSOVO REQUEST FOR RECOGNITION AND SLOVAKIA

Abstract

Slovakia is one of the five EU member states that has still not recognized Kosovo as an independent state whereas Kosovo is one of the eight units of Yugoslav federation. Seven units of the former federation became independent states deriving from the nonconsensual process of dissolution of the federation. Kosovo declared its independence on February 17, 2008 and ever since it has been recognized by more than 100 states. Republic of Slovakia still has not shown clear indications that it is going to very soon recognize the state of Kosovo. Even though there are certain activities developed that could be considered as something leading towards de facto recognition. However Republic of Slovakia was active in and the Western Balkans is a focus of its foreign policy and thus it is expected that the attitudes of Slovakia will change in favor of recognition. Reasons of non recognition of Kosovo as an independent state are different whereas they may be divided into two groups: not proper lobby activities in requiring recognition from Kosovo institutions in one hand, and a public discourse still not in favor in Slovakia, on the other hand. Paper aims to explain why such a situation from both sides and perspectives is faced and what are the causers along with recommendations that lead towards potential recognition of Kosovo from the Republic of Slovakia.