The consequences of state non-recognition: the cases of Spain and Kosovo

Abstract

The principle objective will be to explain the reasons behind a nonrecognition of the statehood of Kosovo. This situation has led to international sanctions on Kosovo that prevent the maintenance of regular relations with some key actors on the world stage, as well as the threatening possible accession to European Union. Our premise is that some non-recognizing EU member states have adopted a new understanding of what constitutes ‘nationhood’ since a more pragmatic approach taken in the early 90s. Spain has been chosen as a case study, both due to its failure to recognize Kosovo, but also due to its hardening position, which has become even more extreme than that of Cyprus. We will assess the extent to which the domestic situation in Spain has affected actions taken in regard to Kosovo. This relationship will be shown by looking at the political discourse since 2007, covering the months before the Kosovo Unilateral of Declaration Independence (UDI), to the events of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU in the first semester of 2018. Parliamentary debates, official documents and press conferences will be analysed as the main sources of information, together with interviews being held between Spanish and Kosovar officials between 2014 and 2018.