PhD Thesis by Julia Himmrich
In February 2008, Kosovo declared independence. It was a highly controversial move
that divided i... more In February 2008, Kosovo declared independence. It was a highly controversial move
that divided international opinion. While the United States and many EU members
quickly recognised the new state, many other countries, including Russia and China
and several EU members, did not. Even today, Kosovo remains a contested state.
Although Germany recognised Kosovo quickly, it nevertheless expressed concerns
over the failed international efforts to reach an agreement. This thesis analyses
Germany’s decision to recognise Kosovo as independent despite the multilateral
disagreement. It traces the position of Germany on Kosovo from the early 1990s until
recognition in 2008. It pays particular attention to the final months of negotiations,
when Germany represented the EU in the ‘Troika talks’ that also involved the US and
Russia.
In 2008 Germany was less committed to a Kosovan state than its close allies in the
Quint – a five state group that also included the United States, Britain, France and
Italy. Domestically the coalition parties had different approaches towards the status
question. Also the international division on the status in the EU and the United Nations
Security Council were a significant obstacle for the German leadership to accept a
unilateral declaration of independence. The acceptance of this international divide
came when domestic actors were persuaded that the Troika negotiations had exhausted
all possibilities for a resolution.
From a theoretical standpoint, Germany’s decision to recognise is examined in regards
to its Civilian Power identity and specifically to intervention and multilateralism. It is
argued that Germany recognised Kosovo due to its long-standing involvement in the
intervention in the conflict and due to concerns that an unresolved status would bring
greater instability to the Western Balkans. Germany’s recognition was therefore built
on a rationale of conflict management and expectations of an increasing role of the
European Union in this process.
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PhD Thesis by Julia Himmrich
that divided international opinion. While the United States and many EU members
quickly recognised the new state, many other countries, including Russia and China
and several EU members, did not. Even today, Kosovo remains a contested state.
Although Germany recognised Kosovo quickly, it nevertheless expressed concerns
over the failed international efforts to reach an agreement. This thesis analyses
Germany’s decision to recognise Kosovo as independent despite the multilateral
disagreement. It traces the position of Germany on Kosovo from the early 1990s until
recognition in 2008. It pays particular attention to the final months of negotiations,
when Germany represented the EU in the ‘Troika talks’ that also involved the US and
Russia.
In 2008 Germany was less committed to a Kosovan state than its close allies in the
Quint – a five state group that also included the United States, Britain, France and
Italy. Domestically the coalition parties had different approaches towards the status
question. Also the international division on the status in the EU and the United Nations
Security Council were a significant obstacle for the German leadership to accept a
unilateral declaration of independence. The acceptance of this international divide
came when domestic actors were persuaded that the Troika negotiations had exhausted
all possibilities for a resolution.
From a theoretical standpoint, Germany’s decision to recognise is examined in regards
to its Civilian Power identity and specifically to intervention and multilateralism. It is
argued that Germany recognised Kosovo due to its long-standing involvement in the
intervention in the conflict and due to concerns that an unresolved status would bring
greater instability to the Western Balkans. Germany’s recognition was therefore built
on a rationale of conflict management and expectations of an increasing role of the
European Union in this process.