The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Kosovo has issued a strong statement regarding Serbia’s stance on Sudan’s diplomatic recognition of Kosovo. In a recent statement, Kosovo’s MFA condemned the Serbian MFA’s statement made yesterday, emphasizing that such a declaration constitutes a clear and unacceptable violation of Serbia’s obligations under the Brussels and Ohrid Agreements from 2023. “The Republic of Kosovo, as a steadfast advocate for peace, dialogue, and international cooperation, strongly condemns yesterday’s statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia regarding Sudan’s recognition of Kosovo’s independence.
This statement represents a clear and unacceptable violation of Serbia’s obligations under the EU-facilitated Brussels Agreement of February 2023 and the March 2023 Ohrid Implementation Annex. Furthermore, it is an unacceptable attempt to exert pressure on the sovereign government of Sudan, undermining its legitimate right to make independent decisions in its foreign policy.” “Serbia’s actions directly contravene the key provisions of the Brussels Agreement and the Ohrid Annex. Article 1 of the Brussels Agreement obliges both parties to ‘develop normal, good-neighborly relations with each other, based on equal rights.’ By opposing Sudan’s sovereign decision to recognize Kosovo, Serbia not only fails to fulfill this obligation but actively works to obstruct Kosovo’s international engagement.” “Moreover, Article 4 of the Brussels Agreement clearly stipulates that Serbia ‘will not block nor encourage others to block Kosovo’s membership in international organizations.’
The Ohrid Annex reaffirms this provision, underlining Serbia’s obligation to avoid actions that hinder Kosovo’s international advancement. Serbia’s reaction to Sudan’s recognition constitutes a direct violation of these commitments and aims to impede Kosovo’s progress toward integration into the global community.” “This is not an isolated case. Serbia’s ongoing campaign to obstruct Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe has already been deemed by the European Union as a violation of the Brussels Agreement, as reflected in recent public statements following Serbia’s vote against Kosovo’s membership in April 2023. The expansion of this campaign to contest bilateral recognitions, such as the one from Sudan, further reveals that Serbia is using a deliberate strategy to undermine Kosovo’s statehood and consistently disregards the principles of constructive dialogue and regional stability.” “Sudan’s decision to recognize Kosovo’s independence is politically responsible, historically justified, and legally sound, in line with the 2010 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, which confirmed that Kosovo’s declaration of independence did not violate international law.
This recognition reflects the growing global consensus on Kosovo’s statehood, with over 116 countries already standing in solidarity with our sovereignty.” “Serbia’s attempt to discredit Sudan’s sovereign decision is not only a violation of its commitments under the dialogue framework but also an affront to Sudan’s sovereignty and the fundamental principles of international law. The Republic of Kosovo expresses its deep gratitude to the government and people of Sudan for their principled stance. We look forward to establishing diplomatic relations and exploring opportunities for cooperation in areas of mutual interest, based on respect and shared values.” Furthermore, Kosovo’s MFA calls on the European Union and the international community to address Serbia’s ongoing violations. “We call on the European Union and the international community to address Serbia’s continuous violations and ensure full implementation of the Brussels Agreement and the Ohrid Annex. Serbia’s refusal to formally sign these agreements, coupled with its ongoing public statements denying their legal validity, has facilitated a continuous model of non-implementation. Kosovo has long warned of this risk and has consistently called for formal mechanisms to ensure accountability.” “Moreover, these violations are part of a broader and more concerning pattern of destabilizing behavior.
The act of aggression in Banjska in September 2023, which resulted in the killing of Kosovo Police officer Afrim Bunjaku, and the kinetic attack on critical infrastructure in the Iber-Lepenac canal in November 2024, were deliberate acts intended to destabilize Kosovo and the region. These actions undermine the foundation of the EU-facilitated dialogue process and pose a serious threat to peace and security in the Western Balkans.” “Despite these challenges, the Republic of Kosovo remains firmly committed to the EU-facilitated dialogue and to securing its rightful place in the international community as a sovereign, independent, and equal partner. We call on Serbia to fulfill its obligations, respect the sovereignty of other states, and cease all actions that hinder peace, normalization, and long-term regional stability.” “Finally, we urge the European Union and international actors to strengthen oversight mechanisms to ensure the full implementation of the Brussels Agreement and the Ohrid Annex by Serbia, and to build a dialogue process that leads to mutual recognition and sustainable peace in the region.”
