During his testimony before a parliamentary committee in Canada, renowned Balkan expert Dr. Jasmin Mujanović urged the United States and Canada to make the non-recognition of Kosovo a bilateral diplomatic priority in their relations with the remaining European Union member states that have yet to recognize Kosovo’s independence.
Mujanović, a political scientist and policy specialist on Southeast European affairs, testified before the House of Commons of Canada Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. He was invited to provide expert insight on the security situation in the Western Balkans.
In his remarks, Mujanović stated:
“There is no coherent reason why countries such as Spain, Slovakia, and others do not recognize Kosovo’s sovereignty. Following Congressman Self’s excellent suggestion, I believe the United States and Canada should make it clear to the five remaining EU member states that the non-recognition of Kosovo will be treated as a bilateral issue between Washington and Ottawa on one side, and those five capitals on the other.”
The five European Union countries that still do not recognize Kosovo are Spain, Slovakia, Greece, Cyprus, and Romania.
Mujanović emphasized the need for a coordinated Western policy that would help advance regional stability and Euro-Atlantic integration in the Balkans. His testimony aligns with broader calls for deeper engagement by Canada and the United States in the region.
The hearing, held on June 4, reflects growing interest in Ottawa for a more proactive policy toward the Western Balkans at a time when geopolitical tensions involving Russia, China, and regional stability challenges continue to shape international attention.
Originally from Sarajevo, Dr. Jasmin Mujanović earned his doctorate from York University. He is a researcher, author, and non-resident senior fellow at the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy in Washington, D.C., and currently lives and works in Los Angeles. His research focuses on democratization in post-authoritarian and post-conflict societies in the Western Balkans.
