Introduction

Background

The Ottoman Empire established dominance over Kosovo in 1389 following a victory over Serbian troops. A significant influx of Turks and Albanians occurred in the area, leading to the predominance of Albanians over Serbs by the close of the 19th century. Kosovo was reclaimed by Serbia during the First Balkan War in 1912, and post-World War II, it was designated an autonomous province within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY). The rise of Albanian nationalism in the 1980s incited riots and demands for Kosovo's independence; however, in 1989, Belgrade -- the capital of both Serbia and Yugoslavia at different times -- annulled Kosovo's autonomous status. Following the disintegration of the SFRY in 1991, leaders from Kosovo's Albanian community organized a referendum for independence, which was met with a repressive reaction from Belgrade, leading to an insurgency. Kosovo remained under Serbian jurisdiction, which, in 1992, united with Montenegro to proclaim a new Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY).

In 1998, Belgrade initiated a severe counterinsurgency operation, resulting in the expulsion of approximately 800,000 ethnic Albanians from their residences in Kosovo. After unsuccessful international mediation efforts, NATO commenced a military intervention in March 1999, compelling Belgrade to retract its forces from Kosovo. The UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) subsequently placed Kosovo under the provisional oversight of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). Negotiations that took place in 2006-07 concluded without a consensus between Serbia and Kosovo, although the UN produced a detailed report advocating for independence. On 17 February 2008, the Assembly of Kosovo proclaimed the region's independence.

Serbia persists in its denial of Kosovo's sovereignty, yet the two nations initiated EU-mediated talks in 2013 aimed at normalizing their relations, culminating in several agreements. Further agreements were finalized in 2015 and 2023, though the execution of these agreements remains unfinished. In 2022, Kosovo submitted an official application for EU membership, dependent on meeting accession requirements, as well as for membership in the Council of Europe. Kosovo is also pursuing membership in the UN and NATO.