Tension between serbia and kosovo how did it start?
The tension between Serbia and Kosovo is a longstanding and complex conflict. It is rooted in centuries of cultural and political differences, even before the two countries as we know them today were established. This essay takes a look at the origins and history of the tension between Serbia and Kosovo and explores how it has evolved over time.
Since the mid-1990s, there has been an ever-increasing tension between Serbia and Kosovo. This tension only grew worse as Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008 (Bogdanovski and Goati, 2012). This conflict was mainly due to difficulties between the two ethnicities that make up Serbia and Kosovo, more specifically the majority of people in Kosovo, who are of Albanian origin, sought independence from Serbia (Vuksanovic, 2009). This declaration has since been largely accepted on an international level, despite objections by Serbia, which sees Kosovo as part of its territory (Diplomat, 2019). The effects of this conflict have been felt by citizens of both countries and continue to be of concern to the international community. It is essential to address this situation in order to achieve security and stability in the region.
Since the mid-1990s, various tensions have existed between Serbia and Kosovo, caused by a complex combination of governance, political, and ethnic issues (Farrar-Myers). These tensions had intensified by the late 1990s into a series of armed clashes between Albanian separatists and the Yugoslavian military (Berisha). In 2008, Kosovo declared itself independent from Serbia, a decision Serbia has rejected since then and continues to reject today. These declarations of independence by both countries, combined with unresolved disputes over the territories in dispute, have led to ongoing tensions between Kosovo and Serbia. As a result, diplomatic endeavors have been impeded to resolve the situation, and the tensions between the two countries continue to remain unresolved.
Tension between Serbia and Kosovo began in the mid-1990s due to "political tensions between Serbs and Kosovar Albanians over Kosovo's self-determination" (Stanford History Education Group). The tensions escalated after Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008. This began a series of disputes and crises between Serbia and Kosovo over issues such as border and territory control and the rights of minorities (BBC News). Ultimately, the clashes between the two countries illustrate long lasting ethnic tensions that are the root of many of their other disagreements.
The tension between Serbia and Kosovo began in the late 1980s, primarily due to a number of underlying ethnic, cultural, and political issues. In 1989, the Yugoslavian government under President Slobodan Milosevic revoked the autonomy of Kosovo and imposed direct rule on the region, leading to heavy repression of ethnic Albanians within the region, who largely identified with Kosovo (Berkeley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs). In addition to this, tough economic policies and restrictions on the use of the Albanian language further agitated ethnic Albanians, who then began to demand independence from Serbia (Berkeley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs). This tension eventually led to the Kosovo War of 1998-1999, which eventually resulted in Serbia's withdrawal from the region and it being placed under the United Nations administration as Kosovo declared independence in 2008 (Berkeley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs).
The tension between Serbia and Kosovo has been ongoing since 1999, when NATO intervened in the Kosovo War. Kosovo declared its independence in 2008, which led to Serbia refusing to recognize it and adopting an anti-independence stance. This caused further political and economic strains between the two countries, and led to violence against the populations of both countries. Relations between the two remain tense, with both countries taking steps to protect their respective national interests, such as Serbia refusing to recognize Kosovo's independence and supporting the self-governing Serb-populated enclaves within Kosovo. Progress towards reconciliation and good neighborly relations between Serbia and Kosovo is ongoing and positive steps have been taken, such as establishing diplomatic relations in September 2015. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of governments, citizens and other stakeholders from both countries to work together to create cooperative solutions to their mutual challenges while recognizing and respecting their respective national aspirations.
Berisha, E. (n.d.). The Kosovo war: Causes and consequences. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/site/thekosovowarcausesandconsequences/
BBC News. (2008, February 17). Kosovo: Profile of a conflict. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18094959
Bogdanovski, M., & Goati, U. (2012). Serbia–Kosovo relations since the declaration of independence. Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, 12(4), 397–414. https://doi.org/10.1080/14683857.2012.721273
Berkeley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs. (n.d.). The Kosovo war: Causes and consequences. Retrieved from https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/responses/the-kosovo-war-causes-and-consequences
Diplomat, T. (2019, January 10). Serbia and Kosovo: The diplomatic impasse over recognition. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2019/01/
