Iraqi–Kosovar relations
Map indicating locations of Iraq and Kosovo

Iraq
Kosovo

Iraqi–Kosovar relations are foreign relations between Iraq and Kosovo. Formal diplomatic relations between two states are non-existent as Iraq does not recognize Kosovo as a sovereign state.

History

At a meeting on 28 May 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, the representative of Iraq to the United Nations, Hamid Al Bayati, reportedly said that Kosovo deserved to be recognised by other states and that Iraq's decision to recognise would come at a suitable time.[1]

At a meeting in September 2009 with Hyseni, Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari, said that Kosovo's request for recognition was being studied closely. He said that he would forward the request to his Government, and that "we understand the right of peoples to self-determination".[2]

On 18 February 2010, following a meeting with Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić said that Serbia strongly supports Iraq's territorial integrity just as Iraq supports Serbia.[3] In May 2010, Ali al-Baldawi, a representative of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, reportedly said that relations would be established with Kosovo once his party, which won the latest elections, forms a new government.[4] On 6 August 2010, following a meeting with prime minister al-Maliki, the Serbian Defence Minister Dragan Šutanovac said that Iraq did not recognise the independence of Kosovo and added that Iraq had supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia.[5]

In March 2011, Kosovo's prime minister Hashim Thaçi met with the Iraqi vice-president Tariq al-Hashimi, who promised that Iraq would consider the recognition of Kosovo in the immediate future to open the way for the promotion of good relations between the two countries.[6] In October 2011 Iraq's ambassador to Belgrade, Falah Abdulsada, said that Iraq supports international law and international mechanisms, and has not changed its position of non-recognition of Kosovo.[7]

In September 2012, Iraqi president, Jalal Talabani, said that he appreciated the interest of Kosovo in creating friendship with his country, and he invited Kosovo's deputy prime minister, Behgjet Pacolli, to make an official visit to Iraq in order to discuss in more depth further steps to create inter-state relations.[8] In November 2012, Zebari expressed his country's support for an independent Kosovo, and appreciated the progress achieved in Kosovo after the declaration of independence. He also said that Iraqi authorities followed the developments in Kosovo with great care.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kosovo's Foreign Minister engaged in tough lobbying campaign, Kosovo Times, 28 May 2009 Archived 17 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ↑ Iraq is considering the request for recognition of Kosovo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo, 29 September 2009
  3. ↑ Iraq will not change stance on Kosovo-Metohija issue, Serbian Government, 18 February 2010
  4. ↑ Premtimi irakian Archived 19 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Gazeta Express, 18 May 2010 (in Albanian)
  5. ↑ Iraq supports sovereignty, territorial integrity of Serbia, Serbian Government, 6 August 2010
  6. ↑ Prime Minister Thaçi meets Iraqi Vice President Tarik al-Hashim, Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, 15 March 2011
  7. ↑ Irak ne menja stav oko Kosova, B92, 10 August 2011
  8. ↑ Deputy Prime Minister Pacolli meets the President of Iraq, Mr. Jalal Talabani; is invited for an official visit to Iraq Archived 3 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, 14 September 2012
  9. ↑ Iraku përkrah progresin e Kosovës së pavarur, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo, 16 November 2012 (in Albanian)
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