Belgium–Kosovo
Map indicating locations of Belgium and Kosovo

Belgium
Kosovo
Diplomatic mission
Liaison Office of Belgium, PristinaEmbassy of Kosovo, Brussels
Envoy
Jean-Louis ServaisAmbassador Bernard Nikaj

Belgium–Kosovo relations refer to the bilateral relations of the Kingdom of Belgium and the Republic of Kosovo. Kosovo has an embassy in Brussels[1] and Belgium has a Liaison Office in Pristina.[2]

Belgium was one of the first countries to recognise Kosovo's independence on 24 February 2008.[3] As a European Union (EU) founder and member, Belgium supports Kosovo in its euro-integration path.[4] Belgium played an important role in promoting peace in Kosovo, supporting NATO operations, and providing assistance to Kosovo Albanian refugees. The Albanian diaspora in Belgium raised awareness of the Kosovo issue and lobbied for independence. The two countries enjoy good relations, driven by their commitments to Western structures and alliances.[5]

Military

Belgium participated in the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, which resulted in a UN administration of Kosovo and then to eventual independence. Belgium currently has 205 troops serving in Kosovo as peacekeepers in the NATO led Kosovo Force.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Embassy of Kosovo in Brussels". ambasada-ks.net. Archived from the original on 2020-06-15. Retrieved 2017-06-01.
  2. ↑ "MFA Belgium". 2008-03-05.
  3. ↑ "België erkent Kosovo" (in Dutch). Algemeen Dagblad. 2008-02-25.
  4. ↑ "Belgium supports Kosovo in its journey towards the European Integration". mei-ks.net.
  5. ↑ Nikaj, Bernard; Lika, Liridon (2023-02-22), "Kosovo and Belgium", Kosovo’s Foreign Policy and Bilateral Relations, London: Routledge, pp. 98–114, ISBN 978-1-003-37158-8, retrieved 2023-07-21
  6. ↑ "Kosovo Force (KFOR)" www.nato.int Link accessed 21-07-09


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