Kosovo–Serbia relations
Will Serbia ever recognise Kosovo?
The Explanation · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
After unilaterally declaring independence in 2008, Kosovo has been recognised by many countries, but not Serbia, which still claims it as one of its provinces. After the break-up of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Serbia cracked down on Kosovo separatists, resulting in a NATO military intervention in 1999. Tensions have remained high and have begun to flare up again in recent years.
The majority Albanian population mostly supports independence, but in the northern areas of Kosovo, Serbs are the majority, and many refuse to recognise Kosovan institutions. BBC Serbian reporter Aleksandar Miladinović explains these divisions, and considers if relations between the two countries can ever be normalised.