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Withdrawn recognition
The Serbian Foreign Ministry claims that there are nine nations that have withdrawn the recognition (Suriname, Liberia, Sao Tome and Principe, Guinea-Bissau, Burundi, Papua New Guinea, Lesotho, Dominica, Grenada). On the other hand, the Kosovan Foreign Ministry says that most of those withdrawals are "fake news" and "Serbian propaganda". Guinea-Bissau withdrew recognition in November 2017, but then sent a note verbale to the Government of Kosovo stating that the previous note revoking recognition had no effect. Just a few days after allegedly revoking the recognition in June 2018, the Government of Liberia issued a statement "reaffirming bilateral relations with Kosovo". In July 2018, Serbia's Foreign Minister published a note from Papua New Guinea withdrawing its recognition of Kosovo, but it did not have an official seal affixed. Nonetheless, the Serbian FM still counts all those countries as having revoked their recognitions. Sao Tome and Principe's decision to recognize Kosovo in 2012 was declared invalid by the President of Sao Tome and Principe because it was not confirmed by the Parliament. Thus, Sao Tome never recognized Kosovo as independent and is not counted here as "withdrawn".

Entities that do not recognise Kosovo as an independent state
Diplomatic recognition is an explicit, official, unilateral act in the foreign policy of states in regards to another party. Not having issued such a statement does not necessarily mean the state has objections to the existence, independence, sovereignty or government of the other party. Some states, by custom or policy, do not extend formal recognitions, on the grounds that a vote for membership in the UN or another organisation whose membership is limited to states is itself an act of recognition.

Positions taken by intergovernmental organisations
Intergovernmental organisations do not themselves diplomatically recognise any state; their member states do so individually. However, depending on the intergovernmental organisation's rules of internal governance and the positions of their member states, they may express positive or negative opinions as to declarations of independence, or choose to offer or withhold membership to a partially recognised state.

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1	 Algeria	In March 2008, Mourad Medelci, Algerian Foreign Minister, stated that while Algeria sympathised with all Muslim countries, it believed that international laws had to be adhered to. A year later, Medelci reaffirmed the Algerian position of Kosovo being an integral part of Serbia. In May 2009, the Ambassador of Algeria to Serbia, Abdelkader Mesdoua stated that Algeria would reconsider the issue of Kosovo if Serbia changed its own position.
 * 1) 	Country	Position	Population

42,545,964

2	 Angola	On 23 June 2008, Angolan president José Eduardo dos Santos sent a message to his Serbian counterpart, Boris Tadić, regarding Kosovo's declaration of independence. It reiterated the solidarity of dos Santos and Angola to Serbia in regard to the preservation of its sovereignty and integrity. 29,250,009 3	 Argentina	In February 2008, Argentine Foreign Minister, Jorge Taiana said "if we were to recognize Kosovo, which has declared its independence unilaterally, without an agreement with Serbia, we would set a dangerous precedent that would seriously threaten our chances of a political settlement in the case of the Falkland Islands". He said that president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner would not give any official statement on the issue, reiterating that there would be no recognition of Kosovo. Argentina will not recognise also because it "supports the principle of territorial integrity". Additionally, he stressed that the 1999 UNSCR 1244 called for the mutual agreement of all parties to solve the dispute. In a 2 December 2009 hearing at the ICJ, the Argentine delegation said that Kosovo's declaration of independence "breaches an obligation to respect the territorial integrity of Serbia, the obligation of peaceful settlement of disputes and principle of non-intervention. The resolution has no legal basis in the principle of self-determination," and that it "did not, and could not, abolish Serbia's sovereignty over Kosovo".

44,494,502 4	 Armenia	On 12 March 2008, Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan stated that Armenia's possible recognition of Kosovo's independence would not strain Armenia–Russia relations, but also noted that "Kosovo recognition issue needs serious discussion ... Armenia has always been an adherent to the right of nations to self-determination and in this aspect we welcome Kosovo's independence." On 3 September 2008 Sargsyan stated: "Today one is wondering from time to time why Armenia is not recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The answer is simple: for the same reason that it did not recognize Kosovo's independence. Having the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenia can not recognize another entity in the same situation as long as it has not recognized the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic". A nation's right to self-determination "takes times", requiring the understanding of "all interested parties". Accordingly, Armenia is trying to "convince" Azerbaijan to accept the loss of Karabakh, stated the president. In November 2008, whilst commenting on Russia's recognition of Georgia's breakaway regions, Sargsyan said "In case with Kosovo the right of nations to self-determination was applied. However, Russia's similar step was given a hostile reception". At a meeting in May 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, the representative of Armenia to the UN, Armen Martirosyan reportedly promised that the request for recognition would be forwarded to his government. On a July 2009 state visit to Armenia, Serbian president Boris Tadić discussed the issues of Kosovo and Nagorno-Karabakh with Sargsyan. The two leaders agreed that regional conflicts must be resolved without the use of force and only by peaceful means in keeping with international law. Tadić also met with Armenian prime minister Tigran Sargsyan where the same issues were discussed. The Kosovo and Nagorno-Karabakh issues can only be solved through negotiations and "any imposed solutions are absolutely unacceptable and we fully agree on that," Tadić said afterwards.

On 4 April 2011 Sargsyan said that Armenia would not recognise the independence of Kosovo against Serbia's interests.

2,969,800 5	|| Azerbaijan	||In February 2008, a spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan, Khazar Ibrahim, said "We view this illegal act as being in contradiction with international law. Proceeding from this, Azerbaijan's position is clear: it does not recognise [Kosovo's] independence". Azerbaijan has also withdrawn peacekeepers from Kosovo. Zahid Oruj, a member of the parliamentary committee on defence and security, explained it by saying "Owing to the change of situation in Kosovo, the Azeri peacekeeping battalion performing its mission within the Turkish contingent will be withdrawn. Azerbaijan acts in compliance with the country's political stance". At the summit of the OIC on 10 March 2008, Azerbaijan opposed adoption of the document, proposed by Turkey, that would lend support to Kosovo's declaration of independence. On 19 June 2008, during the meeting of OIC, Azerbaijan was among countries that opposed the recognition of Kosovo as an independent country. In a 3 December 2009 hearing at the ICJ, the Azerbaijani delegation said that entities that declare secession while violating the internal laws of the state can not be considered to be states, and that a fait accompli may not be accepted – power is not the right, and the force is not the law.

At a meeting with Serbian president Boris Tadić in Baku in May 2010, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said that Serbia and Azerbaijan mutually help each other in the international arena and that his country provides strong support for the territorial integrity of Serbia. He stated that the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo is an illegal move and called on all UN member states to respect international law.


 * 9,943,226

6	|| Bahamas	||At a meeting on 18 June 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, the representative of the Bahamas to the UN, Paulette Bethel reportedly said that she would forward the request for recognition to her government. In April 2010, Bahamian Foreign Minister Brent Symonette said, "We have considered and continue to consider the situation on the ground on both sides and maintain a status of awaiting the outcome of negotiations between Kosovo and its neighbouring countries before committing support to either of the two countries".

On 26 September 2012, the Bahamian Foreign Minister, Frederick A. Mitchell, said that his state has sympathy for the independence of Kosovo, and that the Bahamas will support the state of Kosovo.


 * 381,320

7	 Belarus	In February 2008, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko wrote in a letter to Serbian President Boris Tadić that "Belarus expresses its solidarity with the Serbians' intention to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity". The National Assembly of Belarus had issued a statement condemning the declaration of independence and encouraged all nations to call the move "illegal" under international law. The Foreign Ministry of Belarus published a statement saying "that the settlement of the Kosovo and Metochia [sic] status should progress under international law, based on UN Security Council resolution 1244 (of 1999) which is a fundamental document for the Kosovo settlement certifying the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia, and based on the key provisions of the UN Charter and Helsinki Final Act, with the essential role of the UN Security Council bearing a predominant responsibility for safeguarding international peace and security".

In a 3 December 2009 hearing at the ICJ, the Belarusian delegation said that secession by international law was allowed only in former colonies, or in cases where the minority population was oppressed for a long period of time and was denied the participation in government, however the situation in Kosovo has not met these criteria traditionally interpreted as the right for "external" self-determination. The internal law of Serbia as well as UNSC resolutions are satisfactory for the "internal" self-determination of the Albanian population.

In May 2012 the Belarusian ambassador to Serbia, Uladzimir Chushaw, said that Belarus will never recognise the independence of Kosovo. He was quoted as saying, "The Kosovo wounds are hurting us very much."

9,477,100 8	 Bhutan	At a meeting on 28 May 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, the representative of Bhutan to the UN, Lhatu Wangchuk, reportedly said that he had conveyed Kosovo's request for recognition to his government on 3 February, and he is awaiting the decision of his government. On 19 September 2012, Wangchuk said that his country is deliberating the issue of Kosovo.

727,145 9	 Bolivia	In February 2008, Bolivian president Evo Morales refused to recognise Kosovo's independence and compared Kosovo separatists to the leaders of four eastern Bolivian states who have demanded greater autonomy from the federal government. In a 4 December 2009 hearing at the ICJ, the Bolivian delegation said that Kosovo is an integral part of Serbia and that the Republic of Kosovo does not exist. A unilateral declaration of independence cannot change the international regime established by the UNSC resolution, or decide the outcome of negotiations.

11,307,314 10	 Bosnia and Herzegovina Main article: Bosnia and Herzegovina's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence Bosnia and Herzegovina's reaction to Kosovo's independence has been mixed. Bosniak and Croat members of the Presidency want to recognise it, but Serb members refuse. 3,511,372 11	 Botswana	In a September 2010 meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Kosovo and Botswana, Skënder Hyseni and Phandu Skelemani, Mr. Skelemani said that the ICJ had given "a clear decision", and said that he would soon formally present a position for recognition to his government. In October 2010, Skelemani said that Botswana has not yet made a decision on recognition of Kosovo pending the ruling of the EU, and that Kosovo had promised support in the establishment of a medical school in return for its recognition. In March 2011, Skelemani said that Botswana still has to advise itself properly in order to come up with an informed decision on the issue. He said that the matter of Kosovo has been before the ICJ and therefore it requires a close look as it involves law. In September 2013, Botswana Foreign Minister Phandu TC Skelemani, promised the recognition of Kosovo stating that it was now only a matter of procedure before it happens.

In September 2014, Skelemani said that his country values as positive the developments in Kosovo, which pave the way to the possibility for reviewing of recognition by his country.

2,302,878 11	 Brazil Main article: Brazil's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence Brazil has not recognised the independence of Kosovo, stating that it believes that agreement should be reached under the auspices of the UN and the legal framework of UNSCR 1244. 209,802,000 12	 Cambodia	On 6 October 2008, the Europe Department Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, Kao Samreth, stressed that Cambodia does not wish to encourage secession in any country and therefore does not support the independence of Kosovo. Kao drew parallels to independence claims for South Ossetia and stated that Cambodia would not encourage tension within a country by supporting independence claims. In February 2009, Secretary of State at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, Ouch Borith, reiterated an earlier Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement that Kosovo is a sensitive issue which they are studying carefully. Borith questioned, "if Kosovo is recognized, what about South Ossetia?" On 2 April 2009, the Director of the Department of International Organizations at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, Tuy Ri, stated that Cambodia had no plans to file a brief (either supportive of Serbia or Kosovo) in the ICJ case.

16,069,921 13	 Cameroon	In January 2011, the General Secretary of Cameroon's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, reportedly said that his government cannot deny that Kosovo's independence is irreversible, but that it would have to be careful on how to proceed in order not to create a situation that would damage Cameroon's interests and position in the world. In November 2011, in a meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Behgjet Pacolli, Cameroon's prime minister, Philémon Yang, reportedly said that the recognition of Kosovo was underway.

In a 15 November 2012 meeting with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, the Minister Delegate of Cameroon's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Adoum Gargoum, said that his country has no political or legal reasons not to recognise Kosovo's independence, expressing the sympathy of his people for the people of Kosovo.

23,794,164 14	 Cape Verde	At a meeting in May 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, the representative of Cape Verde to the UN, Antonio Pedro Monteiro Lima, reportedly said that the decision on recognition of Kosovo is only "a matter of time" and that "Cape Verde knows very well the price of freedom". In December 2010, Cape Verde's National Director of Political Affairs and Cooperation, José Luis Rocha, said that his country will wait until there is consensus at the UNSC before considering its position.

In February 2013, the Prime Minister of Cape Verde, José Maria Neves promised that his country would soon recognise the state of Kosovo.

544,081 15	 Chile	In a 27 February 2008 press release, the Foreign Ministry of Chile called on the parties concerned to achieve, by peaceable means, through dialogue and adherence to the international law, a solution that respects the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. Chile will continue to analyse the discussions that have taken and are taking place, both in the UNSC, and in the Council of Ministers of the EU. 17,574,003 16	 China Main article: China's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence China is strongly supportive of the principles of state sovereignty and territorial integrity. It supports Serbia's position on Kosovo. 1,394,990,000 17	 Democratic Republic of the Congo	On 10 February 2009, the Head of the International Organizations Directorate at the Congolese Foreign Ministry, Alice Kimpembe Bamba, said that her government had no plans to recognise Kosovo at the moment, adding that her government was closely following developments on Kosovo at the UN. In November 2009, it was reported that the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Joseph Kabila had said that his country will not recognise the independence of Kosovo for as long as he lives. On 6 April 2012, the Congolese National Assembly Speaker, Evariste Boshab Mabudj-ma-Bilenge, said that "Serbia's position on Kosovo and Metohija is the Democratic Republic of Congo's position".

In September 2013 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the DR Congo, Raymond Tshibanda, stated that he would suggest to the Congolese President that they recognise Kosovo.

84,004,989 18	 Cuba	Party of Cuba, Granma Internacional (and since translated into English and archived on the Trabajadores website), Fidel Castro, the ex-President and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, attacked Javier Solana, accusing him of being the ideological father of Kosovo's "independence", and by doing so, putting at risk the ethnic cohesion and the very state integrity of Spain or the UK, both of which experience separatist movements of their own. He referred to Kosovo independence in quotes as "independence". In December 2009, Ambassador of Cuba to Serbia, Mercedes Martínez Valdés, said that Cuba supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia regarding the issue of Kosovo and advocates for the respect of international law.

In a September 2010 meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Albania and Cuba, Edmond Haxhinasto and Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Mr. Rodriguez said that Cuba was reconsidering recognition of Kosovo in light of the decision made by the ICJ. In February 2015, it was reported that Cuba continued to support Serbia over Kosovo.

11,221,060 19	 Cyprus	On 11 February 2008, the Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, stated that "Cyprus will never recognize a unilateral declaration of independence outside the U.N. framework, and in particular by side-stepping the role of the Security Council". The President of Cyprus Dimitris Christofias, confirmed in March 2008 that Cyprus would not recognise Kosovo as an independent country, out of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia. Christofias reiterated his opposition to recognition in an interview with a Russian newspaper, saying, "The one thing that Kosovo and Cyprus have in common, as far as the situation in these regions is concerned, is that in both cases, the basic principles of international law and legality, as well as UN decisions, are constantly being violated". The Cypriot president underlined that the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of both Serbia and Cyprus were being violated in the most brutal manner. On 23 February 2009, in a meeting with Serbian president Boris Tadić, Christofias said that "Cyprus has not recognized the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and we will not recognize it in the future. We are on your side, not only because your case is similar to ours, but because it is a matter of principles". On 16 June 2009, Minister of Defence of Cyprus Costas Papacostas said that Cyprus will never recognise the independence of Kosovo. In October 2009 this stance was reiterated by Christofias who said Cyprus would not recognise Kosovo, even if all other EU members did so.

On 28 June 2012, the Cypriot Foreign Ministry stated that while they have not recognised the independence of Kosovo, they were fully committed to further advancing the European perspective of the region. They pledged that during their EU Council Presidency, Cyprus will exercise its duties in a neutral and credible manner, taking into consideration the positions of all EU member states, but that any actions undertaken during the Presidency should not in any way be interpreted as suggesting any change in their position in relation to non-recognition and to the status of Kosovo under international law.

854,800 20	 Ecuador	In response to a request from the University of Oxford regarding the analysis of developments related to the independence of Kosovo, in August 2008 the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry stated that there should be "unrestricted compliance with the rules and principles of the United Nations Charter and International Law". At a meeting in January 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, Ecuador's Ambassador to Austria, Maria Elena Moreira, said that the government of her country has carefully followed developments in Kosovo, and taking into account the recognition of Kosovo by European and Latin American countries, Ecuador will seriously consider the request for recognition of Kosovo as an independent and sovereign country. At a meeting on 25 March 2009 with Hyseni, the Ambassador of Ecuador to the UN, Diego Morejón-Pazmino, said that Ecuador has been carefully following developments in Kosovo, and he stressed the importance of building democratic institutions and a society with rights guaranteed to all communities. Mr. Morejón-Pazmino also said that Ecuador would carefully examine developments before making a decision on whether to recognise Kosovo.

17,107,800 21	 Equatorial Guinea	In a 1 September 2010 press conference, Equatorial Guinea's Permanent Representative to the UN, Anatolio Ndong Mba, said that his country's foreign policy favours Kosovo's independence. In September 2011, the President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, is reported to have responded positively to a request for recognition by Kosovo. On 21 November 2011, in a meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Behgjet Pacolli, President Obiang reportedly promised to immediately begin formalising the recognition of Kosovo.

In January 2012, Pacolli's advisor Jetlir Zyberaj stated that Kosovo had received confirmation of recognition from Equatorial Guinea but was awaiting receipt of the note verbale.

1,222,442 22	 Eritrea	On 4 September 2008, the Director of the Euro-Americas Division at the Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tsehaye Fassil, said that his Government had not decided whether it would recognise Kosovo's independence. In September 2011, the President of Eritrea, Isaias Afewerki, is reported to have responded positively to a request for recognition of Kosovo.

In April 2014, the Eritrean Foreign Minister, Osman Saleh Mohammed, said Eritrea supports the right to self-determination and that his country would work to improve its relations with Kosovo.

5,187,948 23	 Ethiopia	At a meeting in January 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, Ethiopia's Ambassador to Austria, Kongit Sinegiorgis, stated that the Ethiopian Government remains committed to considering Kosovo and its recognition, and will bring a decision at the right time. According to Serbia, Hyseni and other members of his delegation were denied entry into Ethiopia in January 2010. They allegedly wanted to attend an African Union summit in order to lobby African nations to recognise Kosovo. Their visas were denied after pressure by the Serbian government, the Serbian Foreign Minister, Vuk Jeremić, said. Jeremić, who attended the summit, thanked his Ethiopian counterpart for denying the visas and supporting Serbia's cause. However, Kosovo's Foreign Ministry denies that they submitted any requests for visas.

On 5 August 2012 it was reported that the Ethiopian government had formally recognised Kosovo, with Kosovo's Foreign Ministry awaiting the arrival of the note verbale. In December 2014, amid a diplomatic dispute with Serbia, Ethiopia threatened to recognise Kosovo.

107,534,882 24	 Georgia	The Foreign Minister of Georgia, David Bakradze, said on 18 February 2008 that Tbilisi would not recognise Kosovo's independence, adding: "I think everyone in Georgia, regardless of political orientation, is unanimous on this". On 29 March 2008 the prime minister, Lado Gurgenidze, gave a recorded interview in Estonia, in which he clearly said in English that as Georgia's friends have recognised Kosovo, it is only natural that eventually Georgia will do likewise. The printed publication of the interview elicited demands by the opposition to impeach him, and the government spokesman stated that the prime minister was misinterpreted, after which the Estonian paper Postimees, which conducted and printed the interview, released the audio to the world. On 9 May 2008 President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, said "We are saying loud and clear that we have never planned to recognize Kosovo. Nor do we plan to do so in the future. The way out of the situation that has been chosen is not the best one. The Serbs should have been given more time for negotiations. The solution for Kosovo was a hasty one". 3,729,600 25	 Greece Main article: Greece's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence Greece does not recognise the independence of Kosovo, but has supported its membership in several international organisations. 10,768,193 26	 Guatemala	In March 2008, the Guatemalan Foreign Minister, Haroldo Rodas, had said that he had objected to the recognition of Kosovo in deference to Russian concerns. However, the government was still considering recognising Kosovo. At a meeting on 26 March 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, the Ambassador of Guatemala to the UN, Gert Rosenthal, said that his country's government is carefully studying the developments in Kosovo, and the ongoing preparations to present a case to the ICJ. He also said that Guatemala is working with others in Latin America to reach a decision.

In April 2014, Guatemalan President Otto Pérez Molina said that his country would consider recognising Kosovo.

17,302,084 27	 India Main article: India's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence India has consistently refused to recognise the independence of Kosovo. 1,339,120,000 28	 Indonesia Main article: Indonesia's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence Indonesia's reaction to Kosovo's independence has been mixed. 265,015,300 29	 Iran	On 13 March 2008, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Iran, after considering the region's issues and conditions, had not recognised the independence of Kosovo. In early March 2008, Gholamreza Ansari, Ambassador of Iran to Russia, said that "this question has very important aspects. Frankly speaking, the United Nations divided one of its members into two parts, though Article 1244 confirms the territorial integrity of Serbia. This is a very strange event. We think that some countries try to weaken international organizations. Presently, Iran is studying the question of Kosovo's future. Iran ... expresses its concern over the weakening of international organizations". In April 2012 during a visit in Belgrade Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ramin Mehmanparast said that Iran will adhere to its decision not to recognise independence of Kosovo. Tehran on this issue is very clear and Iran is thereby giving its support to stability and safety in the region, Mehmanparast said. Mehmanparast added that Iran supported the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue as it believes that the international law can channel the burning issues in the best manner possible. In a 5 August 2012 interview, the Ambassador of Iran to Albania, Ali Amouei, said that he believes the sustainable way out of the Kosovo issue is talks with Serbia, and that Iran will not hesitate to officially recognise Kosovo once it has concluded that it would serve to establish peace and stability in the Balkans and the realisation of the legitimate rights of Muslims in Kosovo.

In February 2013, Amouei said that if the OIC concludes unanimously that recognising Kosovo helps peace and stability in the region, Iran will not avoid the recognition. He said that Iran's good relations with Serbia and Russia do not affect their position on Kosovo.

81,926,000 30	 Iraq	At a meeting on 28 May 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, the representative of Iraq to the UN, Hamid Al Bayati, reportedly said that Kosovo deserves to be recognised by other states and that Iraq's decision to recognise will come at a suitable time. 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". 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. 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. 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.

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. 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.

In September 2012, Iraqi president, Jalal Talabani, said that he appreciated the interest of the Republic 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. 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 follow the developments in Kosovo with great care.

39,339,753 31	 Israel	"We haven't decided when we're going to decide, and instead will monitor events and consider the issue," an unnamed Israeli Foreign Ministry official was quoted by the Jerusalem Post in February 2008. Israel will not recognise Kosovo's independence at this time, in part because of the possibility of Palestinians using recognition of Kosovo to justify their own unilateral declaration of independence. According to The Jewish Chronicle, Foreign Ministry officials and politicians are privately voicing a general sympathy towards the Kosovar cause, however Israel still won't recognise Kosovo. Knesset representative Ruhama Avraham said that "at present the government of Israel has made decision not to join the group of countries which recognised the independence of Kosovo". She also said that Israel considers the situation "very disturbing". On 28 April 2009, Arthur Koll, the Israeli ambassador to Serbia, said it had been more than a year since Kosovo unilaterally declared independence, and that Israel had no intention of recognising that independence and that "Israel is asked from time to time how solid this decision is, but the fact is that Israel's position has not changed throughout this time. The Serbian people and government should appreciate Israel's position, which also demonstrates the friendship between the two states". On 16 September 2009, Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman said that Israel is "monitoring the situation between Serbia and Kosovo" and that Israel hopes for "a really comprehensive and peaceful solution" which would be established through negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina. Lieberman said that his country would be able to withstand the pressure made on it to recognise Kosovo because Israel has "been under pressure since 1948 on many issues and we know how to deal with any pressure". "Israeli officials have confirmed that Israel will remain firm in its stand [on Kosovo]," Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić said during a visit to Israel in late October 2009.

In June 2011, Lieberman said that Kosovo's independence is a "sensitive issue" and that Israel may recognise Kosovo after other countries like Greece and Spain accept it.

On 3 August 2012, during the opening of Israeli Embassy in Tirana, Lieberman, when asked about Kosovo, said that his country is in a delicate situation. In August 2012, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister, Danny Ayalon, stated that Israel was considering recognising Kosovo, with a decision expected as soon as the following year. In December 2012, the Israeli Ambassador to Albania, David Cohen, said that Israel has not recognised Kosovo yet, but it is working on this issue and that although it does not have known trade relations with Kosovo, it does give visa facilitation for Kosovars.

8,941,430 32	 Jamaica	The Jamaican Government in 2009 refused a request from the United States to recognise Kosovo. On 23 July 2009 the Under Secretary for Multilateral Affairs at the Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ambassador Vilma McNish, indicated that she expected no change in the Government of Jamaica's decision not to extend formal diplomatic recognition to Kosovo. Following April 2010 meetings with Jamaican officials, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić stated that Serbia can count on Jamaica's continued support in the preservation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

2,728,864 33	 Kazakhstan	In February 2008, a Kazakh foreign ministry spokesperson said that Kazakhstan opposes Kosovo's unilateral proclamation of independence. Kazakhstan insists the Kosovo issue should be solved peacefully in accordance with UN principles on national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the spokesperson said. In October 2008, Kazakh Foreign Minister Marat Tazhin said that "the principle of territorial integrity is key in international law" and that for this reason Kazakhstan did not recognise Kosovo or Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In December 2008, Kazakh prime minister Karim Masimov stated that "We have an official position. Kazakhstan did not recognise Kosovo and does not recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We consider that borders are defined and Kazakhstan will not recognise any new states". 18,311,700 34	 Kenya	At a meeting on 30 July 2008 between Kenyan and Serbian Foreign Ministers, Moses Wetangula and Vuk Jeremić, Wetangula spoke of Kenya's principled position regarding Kosovo and the territorial integrity of Serbia. At a meeting on 27 May 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, the representative of Kenya to the UN, Zachary Muburi-Muita, said that "Kosovo deserves a place in the family of nations" and that he will pass the request for recognition to his government. He also said that a right for self-determination is an undeniable right.

Following a September 2010 meeting with Kenyan politicians, Albanian prime minister Sali Berisha said that Kenya had promised to decide positively regarding recognition of Kosovo.

In October 2012, Prime Minister of Kenya, Raila Odinga, stated that Kenya was seriously considering recognising Kosovo, and that a decision would be announced shortly.

50,950,879 35	 North Korea	In March 2017, North Korean Ambassador Ri Pyong Du visited Belgrade and affirmed North Korean support for Serbia's territorial integrity. 25,610,672 35	 Kyrgyzstan	In February 2008, a statement issued by Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry states that Kyrgyzstan will not recognise Kosovo's independence and considers it a dangerous precedent for separatist organisations in the world. 6,309,300 36	 Laos	On 27 February 2008, the Lao Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that "The Lao PDR urged all sides to respect the resolution of the UN Security Council No 1244, dated 10 June 1999, recognizing Kosovo as a Serbian province". 6,961,210 37	 Lebanon	At a meeting on 28 May 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, the representative of Lebanon to the UN, Nawaf Salam, reportedly said that Lebanon will continue to support Kosovo and that the government of Lebanon is seeking the moment for recognition. In a November 2009 meeting between an Albanian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister, Edith Harxhi, and Lebanese officials including prime minister Saad Hariri, the Lebanese side reportedly said that Lebanon would soon recognise Kosovo. However, the Lebanese ambassador in Belgrade, Cehad Mualem, was later reported as saying that there was no possibility of Lebanon recognising Kosovo in the near future. He said that Lebanon would wait for the decision of the ICJ. In a February 2012 meeting with the speaker of Albanian Parliament, Jozefina Topalli, the Lebanese prime minister, Najib Mikati, said that the issue of Kosovo's recognition is being considered very seriously.

In December 2013, Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour promised to consider Kosovo's request for recognition.

6,093,509 38	 Mali	Mali's president Amadou Toumani Touré was reported in the press in March 2008 as having expressed the Malian stance on Kosovo as follows: "International norms must be respected, because their abuse and the violation of territorial integrity could threaten a series of countries with a similar problem". In a 21 May 2010 meeting with Serbian prime minister, Mirko Cvetković, Mali's Foreign Minister, Moctar Ouane, said that Serbia can count on Mali's support in its efforts to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In August 2011 meeting with Kosovo's First deputy prime minister Behgjet Pacolli, Touré is reported to have said that recognition of Kosovo will be seriously considered by Mali.

Following the August 2012 publication of a note verbale recognising Kosovo's independence, purportedly signed by acting President of Mali, Dioncounda Traoré, state run media in Mali issued a statement in which the Presidency of Mali denied recognising Kosovo and claimed that the document was a fabrication. Pacolli claimed that the Malian Army, who had recently seized control of the state in a coup d'état due to dissatisfaction over the governments handling of their own separatist uprising in Azawad, had intervened to reverse the recognition granted by the civilian president. On Pacolli's return to Mali to seek clarification on the issue, state leaders promised to reconfirm their recognition.

19,107,706 39	 Mauritius	On 8 May 2008, Mauritian Secretary General for Foreign Affairs, Anand Neewoor, stated that the Government of Mauritius would not recognise Kosovo any time soon because of their concerns that it would have implications for their "fight to regain the Chagos Islands". Neewoor said of a few African countries that had recognised Kosovo, that they were "only countries without concerns of split away regions". On 28 August 2008, Patrice Cure, head of the Multilateral Division at the Mauritian Foreign Ministry, indicated no willingness by his government to reconsider its stance on Kosovo, continuing to hold the line connecting Kosovo to Chagos issues. In June 2009, the Mauritian prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam, had called the US Embassy in Port Louis to say that he had decided that Mauritius would recognise Kosovo, despite opposition from his foreign ministry.

1,265,577 40	 Mexico	On 19 February 2008, the Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that Mexico is closely paying attention to the situation as it develops in order to adopt, at an opportune moment, a position on the declaration of independence. The same statement called on all parties to agree peacefully, through dialogue, on the final status of Kosovo and to reach an agreement on the rights of minorities and the maintenance of peace and security in the Balkans. Mexican government officials have since then repeatedly underlined that Mexico does not intend to recognise Kosovo. 119,938,473 41	 Moldova	Kosovo's declaration creates "deep concerns in the Republic of Moldova," the Moldovan government said in a February 2008 statement. Moldova will not recognise Kosovo's independence. In December 2013, Moldovan Defence Minister Vitalie Marinuta stated on a visit to Serbia that Moldova will not recognise Kosovo. 3,547,539 42	 Mongolia	On 8 May 2009, Kosovo's president Fatmir Sejdiu met Nyamaa Enkhbold, the Mongolian Deputy Parliament Speaker, to request recognition of Kosovo by Mongolia. Mr. Enkhbold reportedly promised to deal with the request once he had returned home. In a 17 July 2012 meeting with Kosovo's deputy prime minister, Edita Tahiri, both the Mongolian president and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and Gombojav Zandanshatar, said that Mongolia would consider recognising the independence of Kosovo. Elbegdorj promised that Mongolia would seriously consider recognising the independence of Kosovo in the very near future, and has a very high appreciation for the movement of the people of Kosovo for freedom and independence. Zandanshatar promised that his country would deliberate the issue of recognising Kosovo's independence.

3,234,600 43	 Morocco	At a meeting in January 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, Morocco's Ambassador to Austria, Omar Zniber, said that Morocco is carefully watching developments in Kosovo. He said, "People and institutions of my country understand and support the will of Kosovo people. We have been and remain close to Kosovo; I can tell you that my country is having wide consult[ation]s with other countries on the issue of Kosovo recognition. We will make a decision for Kosovo at [the] right time". In May 2009, the Moroccan Director of Bilateral Affairs responsible for Europe, Abdellah Zagour, said that for the moment, Morocco does not intend to recognise Kosovo. He described his government's position as moderate, explaining that Morocco is waiting for a majority of the fifty-seven Organisation of Islamic Conference member states to recognise Kosovo before it would seriously review such a step. "We are not against an independent Kosovo," he stated, continuing that Morocco must consider Kosovo recognition through the lens of its concerns in Western Sahara. During a September 2009 visit to Rabat, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić said that Moroccan leaders had confirmed that Rabat had consolidated its position on not recognising Kosovo. Morocco's Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi Fihri stated that entities could not become states by unilateral declarations of independence, but only through UN processes or mutual consent. In June 2011, Moroccan government representatives explained that they had difficulty in recognising Kosovo due to the political context of Western Sahara.

On 6 July 2012, Morocco's Foreign Minister, Saad-Eddine El Othmani pledged that the highest state institutions would review a request for recognition by Kosovo, and a decision on recognition would be made within an appropriate period. In an 8 October 2012 meeting between the Prime Ministers of Albania and Morocco, Sali Berisha and Abdelilah Benkirane, Mr. Benkirane promised to consider a request from the Albanian authorities to recognise Kosovo as it is a very important subject for the region.

34,834,300 44	 Mozambique	In February 2008, Mozambican Deputy Foreign Minister Henrique Banze said in reference to Kosovo's declaration of independence, "We shall wait for the appropriate moment. It's a very sensitive matter and like all matters of this kind, it demands a lot of thought. Our government will work so that it may make the most appropriate decision in this case". In November 2008 Mozambique's ambassador to the UN, Filipe Chidumo, stated that his government is monitoring developments, and that it "understands Kosovo's people's will for freedom and independence". At a meeting on 18 June 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, Ambassador Chidumo reportedly said that the issue of Kosovo continues to remain on Mozambique's agenda and that he would resubmit the request for recognition to his government.

In September 2012, Mozambique's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-Operation, Oldemiro Julio Marques Baloi, said that his government would reconsider recognising Kosovo.

28,861,863 45	 Myanmar	In January 2014, it was reported that Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had sent a note to officials in Kosovo informing them of that they had recognised Kosovo's independence. However, Pacolli and Hoxhaj quickly denied that they had received any such note. 53,862,731

46	 Namibia	In September 2010, following talks with Namibian officials, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić stated that Namibia has no intentions of recognising Kosovo. The Foreign Minister of Namibia Utoni Nujoma said that the most important thing is to continue to search for a peaceful solution to the problem of Kosovo and that the opportunities should be sought for reconciliation between nations in the Balkans. 2,413,643

47	   Nepal	A leaked 2009 cable from the US Embassy in Kathmandu states that during a meeting with US Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher, the Foreign Secretary of Nepal, Gyan Chandra Acharya, said that the Government of Nepal had yet to decide if it would recognise the independence of Kosovo. Acharya acknowledged that Nepal understood the US interest in Kosovo's recognition but could not make a decision at the time because of regional sensitivities. 29,218,867

48	 Nicaragua	In February 2008, the Chancellor of Nicaragua, Samuel Santos, said that the government of his country maintains a position of "observation" to the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo. "Nicaragua is watching the issue of Kosovo's independence, we have friends who are in agreement with this independence and other friends who disagree, there are some who are saying that [independence] is a threat to peace in that tender area. We just look at [this case and] we have no opinion on this issue." 6,284,757 49	 Nigeria	In July 2009, Umaru Yar'Adua, President of Nigeria, said that Nigeria will not recognise Kosovo as an independent nation. He said the decision not to recognise Kosovo was informed by Nigeria's historical experience of the civil war of 1967 to 1970, fought to maintain its territorial integrity and sovereignty saying that "Since the end of the civil war, Nigeria has continued to embark on nation-building policies and strategies to forge a heterogeneous, yet inclusive nation". In November 2009, Ojo Maduekwe, Foreign Minister of Nigeria (and former advocate of Biafran independence), emphasised that Nigeria will never recognise the independence of Kosovo.

In August 2011, Kosovo's First Deputy Prime Minister Behgjet Pacolli said that he had received from senior Nigerian state leaders support and guarantee that Kosovo recognition would be seriously dealt with in a short period of time.

Reports of Nigeria recognising Kosovo appeared in 2011. In a 22 September 2011 statement, a spokesman for the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Damian Agwu, said that the Nigerian Federal Government had decided to "open a trade office in Pristina". However, the following day the Ministry reversed course and said no trade office would be opened.

It was reported in September 2012 that Olugbenga Ashiru, Nigerian Foreign Minister, had denied that the recognition took place. Behgjet Pacolli, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, reiterated that the recognition occurred and claimed that Ashiru never spoke with the Gazeta Express.

In January 2013, former Foreign Minister of Kosovo Skënder Hyseni said that the recognitions by Nigeria and Uganda were "contested, not only by the respective states, but also by the US State Department". Current Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, stated that he is certain that the number of recognitions is valid. The lack of recognition was confirmed by the Nigerian Foreign Minister in March 2014.

193,392,517 50	 Paraguay	In February 2008, the Ministry of Foreign Relations of Paraguay published a statement saying that Paraguay took note of the independence declaration and was analysing the situation. In April 2010, it was reported that the Paraguayan president had told Kosovan pilot James Berisha, who was on an awareness-raising journey around Central and South America, that Paraguay had already recognised Kosovo's independence but had not made this known so as not to jeopardise their relationship with Russia.

7,052,983 51	 Philippines	In February 2008, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said in a statement: "Considering the existing sensibilities in the region, continued dialogue should be encouraged among all the parties concerned to ensure regional stability". He also said the Philippines is not willing to recognise Kosovo as an independent nation. On 19 February 2008, Romulo stated that recognition could complicate peace talks with Muslim separatists in Mindanao. He said that "while the Philippines does not oppose the idea of independence for Kosovo, it would prefer a settlement ... taking into account the internationally accepted principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity". In a November 2012 meeting with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary, Rafael E. Seguis, pledged support for Kosovo, saying that his country has full understanding for the independence of Kosovo and that he would consider the request for recognition.

106,709,000 52	 Romania	On 18 February 2008, a joint session of the Parliament of Romania voted not to recognise Kosovo's independence by 357 to 27, with support from all parties except the UDMR. Also the President and the Prime Minister opposed recognition. In February 2009, Romanian Foreign Minister Cristian Diaconescu said that "Romania does not change its position and will not recognize Kosovo's independence, which contradicts to the norms and principles of the international law" and that the EP resolution on Kosovo is not binding. In September 2009, President Traian Băsescu announced that Romania will partner Serbia in its action at the ICJ and said that "Territorial partitions are unacceptable, regardless of what explanations [are] put forward to support them."

On 24 September 2010, Romanian prime minister Emil Boc said in an address to the UNGA that while Romania respected the ICJ's opinion on the legality of Kosovo's independence, it did not examine the key issue which was the legality of the creation of a new state. Romania will continue not to recognise Kosovo's independence.

In March 2012 a majority of Romanian MEPs, including Elena Băsescu (the president's daughter), voted in favour of a resolution calling on the EU countries which had not recognised Kosovo to do so. In April 2012, Diaconescu said "As far as we are concerned, we clearly stated our approach, which has not changed: Romania will not recognize this province because it does not meet all requirements of the international laws to function as a state. But, certainly, the situation must be analyzed especially through the perspective of the relation Belgrade will establish with this province".

In April 2013, following a resolution by the European Parliament which urged all EU members states which had not recognised Kosovo to do so, Romania's Prime Minister Victor Ponta stated that his country must follow the EU's lead. In May 2015, Prime Minister Victor Ponta stated that "In 2008 Romania decided not to recognize Kosovo. However, things have changed since then. Governments have changed and some new decision on the recognition of Kosovo could be made ... because many things have changed in Kosovo since 2008."

19,524,000 52	 Russia Main article: Russia's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence Originally, Russia strongly opposed Kosovo's independence. But in 2014, when it recognised the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Crimea, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited Kosovo's declaration and the ICJ decision as evidence that unilateral declarations of independence are not inconsistent with international law (the Kosovo independence precedent). 146,877,088 53	 Rwanda	On 11 February 2009, the Director of International Organisations at Rwanda's Foreign Ministry, Ben Rutsinga, said that the African Union had no unified position on Kosovo independence and that Rwanda would not reach an "individual determination" in advance of such a unified position. On 18 September 2009, the Rwandan Foreign Minister, Rosemary Museminali, said that some countries would be likely to criticise a Rwandan recognition of Kosovo, accusing Rwanda of taking that stance in order to lay the basis for a similar breakaway by parts of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. She added that the Government of Kosovo had requested a meeting with her but she had not responded. 12,001,136 54	 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	In February 2008, when asked about Kosovo, the Prime Minister of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, said that "if the people of a country want independence, then I think they should have it". At a meeting in August 2011 with U.S. Representative, Eliot Engel, both St. Vincent & the Grenadines' Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ralph Gonsalves and Louis Straker, took on board the case for recognition of Kosovo and promised to review the issue.

109,803 55	 São Tomé and Príncipe	In March 2012, São Tomé and Príncipe's Council of Ministers under then Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada adopted a resolution recognising Kosovo's independence. In January 2013, President Manuel Pinto da Costa issued a communication stating that the recognition was invalid as he had not been consulted on the decision, as required by the country's Constitution. New Prime Minister Gabriel Costa said that the process of recognition was an anomalous situation. Kosovo Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, insisted that the recognition remains valid. First Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo Behgjet Pacolli said that he received a note verbale recognising Kosovo from Trovoada and that it was a closed issue. 197,700 56	 Seychelles	In September 2012, the Seychelles' Foreign Minister, Jean-Paul Adam, said that his country is not against Kosovo's independence, and that formal recognition will occur very soon. In September 2014, Adam said that Seychelles will consider the recognition of Kosovo with utmost seriousness.

96,762 57	 Slovakia Main article: Slovakia's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence Slovakia has not recognised Kosovo, but has given indications that its stance could change in the future, especially if independence will be agreed with Serbia. 5,443,120 58	 South Africa Main article: South Africa's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence South Africa's reaction to the independence of Kosovo has been mixed. 57,725,600 59	 South Sudan	In July 2011, Kosovo's First deputy prime minister, Behgjet Pacolli, was invited to attend South Sudan's independence ceremony. In September 2012, South Sudan's vice-president, Riek Machar Teny, invited Kosovo's prime minister, Hashim Thaçi, to South Sudan to discuss building bilateral relations between the two countries. During an October 2012 meeting with Pacolli, South Sudan's president Salva Kiir Mayardit stated his country's desire to maintain friendly relations with Kosovo. He reiterated the position that South Sudan supports the right of the citizens of Kosovo to build and consolidate their state. In September 2013 the Foreign Minister of South Sudan, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, confirmed that the recognition of Kosovo is a matter of time.

In April 2014, Benjamin said that positive news in regards to improving relations with Kosovo should be expected. In September 2014, Benjamin said that South Sudan is considering with seriousness the recognition of the independence and will follow all the procedures in order to do so.

12,323,419 60	 Spain Main article: Spain's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence Spain is the only major country in Western Europe that has not recognised Kosovo, originally because of objections to the legality of its unilateral declaration of independence under international law, and also due to concerns about possible implications regarding its own issues with domestic independence movements. Although it has given indications that its stance may change, increasing political tensions make it unlikely that Spain will soften its current position. 46,659,302 61	 Sri Lanka	In February 2008, the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka called Kosovo's declaration of independence a violation of the UN Charter and emphasised its concern that the act "could set an unmanageable precedent in the conduct of international relations, the established global order of sovereign States and could thus pose a grave threat to international peace and security". In a June 2009 meeting with Serbian president Boris Tadić, Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa re-affirmed his country's solidarity with Serbia and stated that Sri Lanka remained firmly opposed to Kosovo's independence as it threatened the international order. Rajapaksa said that there could be no right for countries to be formed by secession, which was in violation of the UN Charter and the principles of national sovereignty.

In a September 2011 meeting with Kosovo's First deputy prime minister Behgjet Pacolli, Rajapaksa promised that Sri Lanka will continue to cooperate and expressed his willingness to continue contacts which would lead to the construction of interstate relations in the future. In February 2013, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, D. M. Jayaratne, stated that the recognition of Kosovo by Sri Lanka will be reviewed.

21,670,000 62	 Sudan	At the summit of the OIC on 10 March 2008, Sudan opposed adoption of the document, proposed by Turkey, that would lend support to Kosovo's declaration of independence. On 28 August 2008, Sudan's envoy to the UN Abdelmahmood Abdelhaleem stated that his government remains opposed to the independence of Kosovo and that they will support Serbia's request that the UNGA ask for an advisory opinion from the ICJ. In a September 2010 meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Kosovo and Sudan, Skënder Hyseni and Ali Karti, Mr. Karti said that Sudan has closely followed the decision of the ICJ, and will, sooner or later, support Kosovo.

40,959,135 63	 Syria	On 13 May 2009, Syria's ambassador to Serbia, Majed Shadoud, reported that Syrian president Bashar al-Assad told Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić that his country continues to oppose the recognition of the independence of Kosovo. Shadoud quoted al-Assad as saying "Syria urges a political solution for the situation in the Balkans and the Middle East and is opposed to any kind of divisions in both regions, regardless of whether religious, ethnic or nationalist reasons are in question". In April 2012 a Syrian opposition delegation (Syrian National Council) led by Ammar Abdulhamid visited Pristina and promised to recognise Kosovo immediately if they triumph in Syria.

18,284,407 64	 Tajikistan	In February 2008, the Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Tajik Assembly of Representatives, Asomudin Saidov, stated that Tajikistan will not recognise Kosovo's independence as it considers it to be the violation of legal norms and a danger for Europe. In February 2009, Jamaluddin Ubaidulloev, Second Secretary of the Department of European and North American Affairs at the Foreign Ministry of Tajikistan, said that the Foreign Ministry could not offer an official position on the recognition of Kosovo because it had received no decision on the matter from the government. However in past conversations, the Head of the European and North American Affairs at the Ministry, Khusrav Nosiri, had commented that Tajikistan wished to avoid the question of Kosovo recognition because of perceived parallels with the question of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

8,931,000 65	 Trinidad and Tobago	On 20 February 2008, Trinidad and Tobago's Foreign Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon took a positive stance and promised the US Ambassador that she would pursue the matter of Kosovo's recognition. At a meeting on 25 March 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, the Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to the UN, Maria Annette Valere, said that her country knows how important the process of international recognition is for Kosovo, and that the government of Trinidad and Tobago would address the request for recognition in the near future.

1,359,193 66	 Tunisia	At a meeting on 28 May 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, the representative of Tunisia to the UN, Jalel Snoussi, reportedly said that he would inform the Tunisian authorities of Kosovo's request for recognition. In November 2009, the Ambassador of Tunisia to Serbia, Houria Ferchichi, said that Tunisia supports Serbia's commitment to a peaceful and compromised solution of the Kosovo issue through the UN, and the efforts of Serbian diplomacy in that direction. In a September 2010 meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Kosovo and Tunisia, Skënder Hyseni and Kamel Morjane, Mr. Morjane said that Tunisia will take the opinion of the ICJ very seriously, and will review Kosovo's request for recognition in government.

In an August 2011 meeting with Kosovo's First deputy prime minister, Behgjet Pacolli, the leader of the Ennahda Movement, Rashid al-Ghannushi, "guaranteed Tunisia would recognize Kosovo if his party won the elections". On 29 October 2011, following a meeting with representatives of Ennahda Movement, Pacolli reported that Tunisia was expected to recognise Kosovo following the forthcoming elections.

At a meeting in October 2012 with Albanian Foreign Minister and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Edmond Panariti, the Tunisian Foreign Minister, Rafik Abdessalem, said that his government is seriously considering the issue of the recognition of Kosovo.

In January 2013, Abdessalem stressed that the decision to recognise Kosovo was in the final stages and that it was only a matter of time before this occurs, while prime minister Hamadi Jebali stated that there were no obstacles to recognition. However, in late February the Tunisian ambassador to Serbia, Majid Hamlaoui, said that Tunisia would not recognise Kosovo, despite outside pressure for recognition.

11,446,300 67	 Turkmenistan	In a September 2010 meeting with Albanian prime minister Sali Berisha, Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow said that his country would consider the recognition of Kosovo at the right time. 5,851,466 68	 Uganda	In February 2008, a senior Ugandan official said that the Ugandan government is carefully studying Kosovo's declaration of independence before it makes a decision to recognise it as a state or not. At a meeting on 26 March 2009 between the Kosovan Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, and Ruhakana Rugunda, the Ambassador of Uganda to the UN, Mr. Rugunda expressed the need for intensification of contacts between the two countries for the purposes of information and co-operation. He also said that Uganda would in time take the optimal decision for Kosovo. In August 2011, Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa wrote to Kosovo's Deputy Prime Minister Behgjet Pacolli promising to review the request for recognition in line with the ICJ decision. In February 2012 Kosovo's MFA announced that Uganda had recognised their independence, citing a note verbale dated 5 December 2011 from Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni which expressed congratulations "on the advancement towards your country's independence" and that "we are behind other nations that have recognized the Republic of Kosovo". Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić responded that Ugandan State Foreign Minister Henry Oryem Okello had informed him that the recognition never took place. In January 2013, former Foreign Minister of Kosovo Skënder Hyseni said that the recognitions by Nigeria and Uganda were "contested, not only by the respective states, but also by the US State Department". Current Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, stated that he is certain that the number of recognitions is valid.

In an article posted in June 2014, Kosovo's MFA listed Uganda as a state that had not recognised Kosovo.

38,823,100 69	 Ukraine Main article: Ukraine's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence Ukraine refuses to recognise the independence of Kosovo and supports the territorial integrity of Serbia. 42,234,014 70	 Uruguay	According to Ultimas Noticias, in March 2008 "Uruguay has not recognised Kosovo's declaration of independence, because doing so would not be in accordance with its required three pillars of recognition: the principle of territorial integrity of states, achieving a solution through dialogue and consensus, and recognition by international organisations." On 27 September 2010, Uruguayan Deputy Foreign Minister Roberto Conde, stated that Uruguay would never recognise the independence of Kosovo.

3,505,985 71	 Uzbekistan	In February 2008, the Uzbek government believes that questions of independence should be decided in the UN assembly. As for Kosovo, Uzbekistan has yet to come up with a final position. 32,653,900 72	 Venezuela	In February 2008, Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez announced that Venezuela does not recognise Kosovo's independence on the grounds that it has been achieved through U.S. pressure and criticised a recent political movement calling out for a more autonomous Zulia State. On 24 March 2008, Chavez accused Washington of trying to "weaken Russia" by supporting independence for Kosovo. He called Kosovo's prime minister Hashim Thaçi, a "terrorist" put in power by the U.S. and noted that the former rebel leader's nom de guerre was "The Snake". 31,828,110 73	 Vietnam	In February 2008, the Vietnamese UN Ambassador Le Luong Minh "reaffirmed Vietnam policy that the fact that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence is not a correct implementation of the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244 and that will only complicate the situation in Kosovo and the Balkan region". In a 23 February 2011 meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić, Vietnamese deputy prime minister, Pham Gia Khiem, reaffirmed Vietnam's position of supporting "Kosovo-related issues under the United Nations Security Council's decree to gain comprehensive measures in terms of respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and assuring the benefits of involved nations". In a 24 November 2011 meeting with Albanian deputy prime minister and Foreign Minister, Edmond Haxhinasto, Vietnam's Foreign Minister, Pham Binh Minh, said that Vietnam is following the developments in Kosovo, and that Serbia and Kosovo should continue the dialogue to find common ground that will be acceptable to both parties.

94,660,000 74	 Zambia	In March 2008, Zambian Foreign Minister, Kabinga Pande, said that Zambia has not decided its position on the declaration of Kosovo's independence. Pande said the government needs more time to analyse the matter. On 12 February 2009, the Zambian Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary, Tens Kapoma, and Zambia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Lazarous Kapambwe, did not rule out the possibility of Kosovo recognition, they indicated by their response that Zambia would be unlikely to do so in the immediate future. Zambian Government Representatives expressed reservations about the legal precedence that Kosovo recognition would establish. In particular, they conveyed some concern about the domestic legal ramifications vis-a-vis the Lozi tribe, an ethnic group in western Zambia within which remains some support for greater autonomy or full independence. Kapambwe implied that the US recognition of Kosovo is inconsistent with its refusal to recognise South Ossetian and Abkhazian secession from Georgia. Kapambwe suggested that Zambia could be persuaded to recognise Kosovo if Kosovo or the international community could establish that Kosovo meets four conditions for national sovereignty, according to the criteria for statehood laid down in the Montevideo Convention.

In a September 2010 meeting with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, Mr. Pande said that Zambia is carefully studying the opinion of the ICJ and that the request for recognition will be processed soon. In a subsequent meeting with the Albanian Foreign Minister, Edmond Haxhinasto, Mr. Pande said that Kosovo's independence is an irreversible reality and that the decision of the ICJ's opinion eased the decision on recognition of Kosovo for many African countries.

On 27 February 2011, regarding a request to recognise Kosovo, Pande stated that "We will evaluate that request. It will have to undergo scrutiny like we always do".

In September 2012, Zambian Foreign Minister, Given Lubinda, said that his country has no reason not to recognise Kosovo.

Zambia's Minister of Home Affairs, Edgar Lungu, stated in December 2013 that his government will thoroughly discuss and clear all the grey areas before any decision can be made over Kosovo, and that recognition of Kosovo was Zambia's priority.

16,887,720 75	 Zimbabwe	In April 2011, Claudius Nhema, Deputy Director of Protocol in the Foreign Ministry of Zimbabwe, reportedly told Kosovan pilot James Berisha that Zimbabwe would be considering Kosovo's recognition, but that they should wait for a recommendation from the Zimbabwean UN representative who should bring it to the Foreign Ministry after which it would be taken to Parliament for ratification. In February 2013, the then Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai, said that he would consider recognising Kosovo.

14,848,905