Title page
Contents
Summary 5
1. The conflict of the 1990s and its aftermath 8
1.1. Historical background 8
1.2. Kosovo in post-war Yugoslavia 9
1.3. The conflict of the 1990s 9
1.4. Kosovo under the interim UN administration 10
Elections to Kosovo Assembly 10
Continuing tensions 11
Talks on future status of Kosovo 12
1.5. Kosovo declaration of independence 14
2. Kosovo since the declaration of independence 17
2.1. Kosovo's Constitution 17
2.2. End of international supervision 17
2.3. Party politics and elections in Kosovo 18
2.4. Steps to normalisation of Kosovo-Serbia relations 20
2.5. Border agreement with Montenegro 22
2.6. Proposed land swap with Serbia 23
2.7. Deteriorating relations in 2018 24
2.8. Economic normalisation agreement 25
2.9. Elections and changes of government in Kosovo since 2019 26
Vetëvendosje takes office 26
Indictment and resignation of President Thaçi 27
2.10. License plate dispute, 2021-2022 28
2.11. New Kosovo-Serbia agreement on normalisation of relations 29
2.12. Further escalations in 2023 31
Violence following local elections in April 2023 31
Monastery shooting in September 2023 32
2.13. EU attempts to revive talks 33
2.14. Kosovo central bank decision to make euro only valid currency 35
3. Recognition and international organisations 37
3.1. International recognition of Kosovo 37
UK and US position on recognition 37
Recognition within the EU 38
3.2. International Court of Justice Opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence 39
3.3. Potential membership of United Nations 39
3.4. Membership of other international organisations 39
3.5. Application to join Council of Europe 40
3.6. Application to join EU 41
3.7. Potential membership of NATO 42