Vast majority of UN member states do not recognize Kosovo

Three years ago, Kosovo's interim assembly adopted a declaration which defines Kosovo as "an independent and sovereign state formed on the basis of the Martti Ahtisaari Plan."

The independence was declared despite the fierce opposition of Serbia's top officials, and contrary to UN Resolution 1244 and provisions of the international law. Just one day after the proclamation of independence, eight countries recognized the unilateral decision- first Afghanistan, then the US, France, Albania, Turkey, the UK and Senegal.

To this day, 75 countries recognized Kosovo's independence, 22 of which are EU member states. However, in the last two years the wave of approval has significantly lost its momentum.

Kosovo was recognized by 53 countries in 2008, 11 in 2009, 8 in 2010, and 3 this year.

A vast majority of the UN member states (117) have not recognized the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo, some of them holding the right of veto in the UN Security Council. The EU is still divided over the issue since Slovakia, Romania, Spain, Greece and Cyprus did not recognize Kosovo, and have no intention of doing that.

The declaration of independence was passed on February 17, 2008, after having been approved in the interim assembly. The Serb MPs, head of UNMIK, and KFOR commander were not present.

The declaration defines Kosovo as "an independent and sovereign state formed on the basis of the Martti Ahtisaari Plan", a document which has never been considered in the UN Security Council, nor approved by the Republic of Serbia.