Ordnet Kosovo den Balkan neu? Serbiens Nachbarn und die Anerkennung des Kosovo
Does Kosovo Put the Balkans in New Order? Serbia’s Neighbors and the Recognition of Kosovo

Summary/Abstract: On 17 February 2008 the Kosovo Assembly, supported by parts of the International Community, declared the independence of the former Serbian province – and left the neighbors of Serbia resp. Kosovo with the decision on recognition or non-recognition of Kosovo as an independent state. The decision means an enormous challenge to the neighbors – having to concern, juggle and balance varied, partly existential issues: (1) their domestic structures and the interests of their constitutive nations and minorities as well as (2) their foreign political position, values and preferences such as their relationship towards the EU and Serbia as well as their role in Southeast Europe. So far five of Serbia’s resp. Kosovo’s neighbors have recognized Kosovo as an independent state, two declared not to do so and two more are undecided. Although the worst case spill-over scenario with secessions and interstate clashes didn’t occur, “lex Kosovo” and the forced decision on recognition or non-recognition left its mark on the fragile Southeast European regional order: (1) within the neighboring states internal destabilizing effects, (2) between the states wounded relations with Serbia and more difficult conditions for regional cooperation, (3) within Serbia again the feeling of isolation and not being understood and (4) for the EU a questionable implementation of its regional approach to the Balkans.

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