Recognition of Kosovo Independence from states

The following is a list of countries that have taken a position on the recognition of the Republic of Kosovo after it declared its independence on 17 February 2008.
The European Union (EU) on 18 February officially stated that it would 'take note' of Kosovo's move, but leaves the question of recognition to its member states.[1] Most of them have declared they will, but some countries (Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Romania and Slovakia) have chosen not to recognise Kosovo due to fears of internal separatist movements using Kosovo as a precedent for independence.[2][3]
Serbia and Russia have opposed Kosovo's independence, claiming that it is illegal.[citation needed] The United States, France, United Kingdom, Turkey and Australia are some of the major countries that have recognised the Republic.[4] A great number of EU countries are expected to recognise Kosovo on 21 February.[5]

States that formally recognise the independent Republic of Kosovo


Costa Rica,[6] 17 February 2008
Afghanistan,[7] 18 February 2008
United States,[4] 18 February 2008 (has veto power in the United Nations Security Council)
France,[8][9][10] 18 February 2008 (has veto power in the United Nations Security Council, European Union member)
Albania,[11][12] 18 February 2008
Turkey,[13] 18 February 2008
United Kingdom,[2][3][14][10] 18 February 2008 (has veto power in the United Nations Security Council, European Union member)
Australia,[15] 19 February 2008

Partially recognised states that recognise the independent Republic of Kosovo

Republic of China (Taiwan),[16][17] 18 February 2008.
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,[18] 18 February 2008

The Republic of Kosovo has not yet issued a statement on whether it recognises the Republic of China or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus reciprocally, or whether it considers them part of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Cyprus.

States in the process of formally recognising the independent Republic of Kosovo


Austria,[19][20] 20 February 2008 ( European Union member)
Belgium[21] ( European Union member)
Bulgaria[22] ( European Union member)
Croatia[23]
Denmark[24] ( European Union member)
Estonia[25] ( European Union member)
Finland,[26][27] 29 February 2008 ( European Union member)
Germany,[26] 20 February 2008 ( European Union member)
Hungary[28][29] ( European Union member)
Ireland[30] ( European Union member)
Italy,[31] 20 February 2008 ( European Union member)
Japan[32]
Latvia[25] ( European Union member)
Lithuania[33] ( European Union member)
Luxembourg,[34] 21 February 2008 ( European Union member)
Pakistan[35]
Panama[36]
Poland[37] ( European Union member)
Slovenia[38] ( European Union member)
Sweden,[39][40] 4 March 2008[41] ( European Union member)
Switzerland[42]

States that have declared that they will not recognise Kosovo as independent


Azerbaijan[43]
Belarus[44]
Cyprus[3] ( European Union member)
Georgia[2][45][46]
Greece[2] ( European Union member)
Kazakhstan[47]
Moldova[48]
Romania[49][50] ( European Union member)
Russia[3] (has veto power in the United Nations Security Council)
Serbia[2][3]
Slovakia[2][3] ( European Union member)
Spain[2] ( European Union member)
Sri Lanka[51]
Vietnam[52]