To those who were born after the dissolution of Yugoslavia the idea of a state has stayed relatively stable since then. There is not a question of whether how a state got there as for the most time they have just been there. While many former republics in Yugoslavia were able to find statehood and join the international order, there was one that has been entrapped in its history causing it to fall behind others and be recognized internationally as its neighbors. The state of Kosovo in the Balkans region of Europe now sits in a place of “what’s next” after their self-determination in 2008 led them to leave the UN interim administration they were under and declared themselves an independent state. Throughout my research, I want to explore the complexity of Kosovo and how they got to where they are today. From this process, I hope to understand more about the idea of a modern state that struggles to be globally recognized. I also am hoping to explore more behind the concepts of self-determinism.
As we start to get into the research process one of the first things have I started to inquire about was what I want to examine. I can see myself going towards the direction of examining self-determination, unrecognized states, and how Kosovo will be examined within the future. The direction I am going in feels correct, but I need a way to connect everything I want to do together more cohesively. I am also curious to if there are any other states similar to Kosovo that could provide me another opportunity to look at essentially another region of the world and see how the concepts about the conception about the constitution of a state applies to them.
The one puzzle I am dealing with is understanding the complexity of the relationship between Kosovo and Serbia. My interest in Kosovo came from all primarily self-taught information I took upon myself as I literally have never had it taught to me in a formal environment. One of the biggest things I would like to do is find more ways to understand this relationship that deals a lot with the order of Kosovo for the future internationally.
One source of information that sparks my interest is the Republic of Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs website which states that “International recognition of the independence and sovereignty of Kosovo will remain a priority to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs” (). This source has always intrigued my interest as I believe it defines the interests of the government of Kosovo for what they want in the future.
“International Recognitions Of The Republic Of Kosovo – Foreign Policy.” Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Republic of Kosovo. Accessed August 31, 2018. http://www.mfaks.net/?page=2,224.