Kosovo and Turkey: What Lies Ahead?

By Ulaş Doğa Eralp

SETA Policy Brief, No. 50, November 2010

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on 22 July 2010, affirmed the legality of the Republic of Kosovo’s declaration of independence. Yet it is an unspoken truth that Kosovo needs a compromise with Serbia to receive international recognition. Turkey can contribute to bridging relations between Belgrade and Pristina by identifying ways of cooperation on technical issues concerning the living standards of all Kosovar citizens without getting entangled on the issue of recognition. Turkey can play a complimentary and even crucial role that could actually ease the task of the European Union between Serbia and Kosovo.