Isuf B. Bajrami: The European Committee of the Regions has removed the use of the footnote and asterisk when referring to Kosovo

The European Committee of the Regions has removed the use of the footnote and asterisk when referring to Kosovo

By Isuf B. Bajrami

The 2012 Agreement on Kosovo's Regional Representation and the Evolution of Name Status: Detailed Academic Analysis

1. Introduction

The issue of Kosovo's international status remains one of the most complex topics in Western Balkans diplomacy following the declaration of independence in 2008¹. Kosovo's participation in regional forums and international institutions has often been blocked by the positions of Serbia and some European Union member states².

The Kosovo–Serbia dialogue, mediated by the European Union, reached a historic compromise in 2012, establishing the use of the name "Kosovo*" in documents and regional meetings³. The asterisk was accompanied by a footnote, creating a balance between Kosovo's interest in recognition and full participation and Serbia's interest in maintaining its position on status?.

Over a decade later, some EU institutions have begun using only the name "Kosovo," removing the asterisk and footnote?. This development has significant implications for Kosovo's institutional legitimacy, integration, and benefits, as well as for regional relations?.

The decision to use the name "Kosovo" without an asterisk was announced by the European Committee of the Regions and harmonizes with the position of the European Parliament?. This decision is an important political and institutional development for Kosovo, recognizing the role of local government and the functioning of local democracy?.

2. Historical and Political Context

2.1 Declaration of Independence

• On 17 February 2008, Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia?.

• Many EU countries and the USA immediately recognized Kosovo's independence, while five EU countries did not¹?.

2.2 UN Resolution 1244 and Legal Opinions

• UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) established the international administration in Kosovo and reaffirmed Serbia's sovereignty over the territory¹¹.

• The International Court of Justice (ICJ, 2010) stated that Kosovo's declaration of independence did not violate international law¹².

• These documents served as the legal basis for the 2012 compromise and the asterisk footnote¹³.

2.3 Role of the European Union

The EU mediated the dialogue to ensure:

1. Regional stability in the Balkans¹?

2. Serbia's integration towards EU candidate status¹?

3. Kosovo's integration into regional mechanisms¹?

3. Brussels Negotiations and the Name Challenge

3.1 Positions of the Parties

• Kosovo sought the use of "Republic of Kosovo"¹?

• Serbia insisted on reference to Resolution 1244¹?

• The EU proposed using the asterisk (*) and a footnote¹?

3.2 Critical Moment

• The agreement was reached in the final minutes of negotiations²?

• The asterisk was accepted as a symbol of compromise²¹

4. 2012 Agreement on Regional Representation

4.1 Main Text

• Name: Kosovo*²²

• Footnote: Reference to Resolution 1244 and the ICJ opinion²³

• Kosovo is represented by official institutions²?

• The agreement ensures regional cooperation and effective participation²?

4.2 Signatories

• Kosovo: Hashim Thaçi, Enver Hoxhaj, and deputy delegates²?

• Serbia: Ivica Da?i?, Bojan Simi?, Aleksandar Vu?i?²?

• EU: Robert Cooper, Peter Sørensen, Roland Kobia, and representatives of the European Council²?

5. Legal and Political Interpretation

5.1 Kosovo's Perspective

• The name Kosovo appears clearly²?

• The footnote is supported by the ICJ opinion³?

• Ensures legitimacy and full participation³¹

5.2 Serbia's Perspective

• The footnote refers to Resolution 1244³²

• Maintains its status position³³

5.3 Diplomatic-Legal Compromise

• The asterisk formula is an example of "creative ambiguity"³?

6. Institutional Evolution and Removal of the Footnote

6.1 Recent EU Institutional Decisions

• Committee of the Regions now uses "Kosovo" without the asterisk³?

• European Parliament uses the name "Kosovo" without footnotes³?

6.2 Significance of Footnote Removal

• Increases institutional legitimacy³?

• Reduces formal neutrality³?

• Strengthens international image³?

7. Benefits for Kosovo

7.1 Institutional Benefits

• Full participation in regional and European forums??

7.2 Diplomatic Benefits

• Increases legitimacy and international recognition?¹

7.3 Political and Regional Benefits

• Strengthens local government and municipal administration?²

• Improves cooperation with European institutions?³

7.4 Symbolic Benefits

• Removing the footnote symbolizes institutional recognition and political legitimacy??

8. Regional and European Perspective

• The process shows a model of diplomatic-legal compromise solutions??

• Footnote removal signals a new trend toward uniform use of the name "Kosovo"??

9. Analytical Conclusions

1. The 2012 agreement created a historic compromise??

2. The asterisk (*) and footnote served as a neutral instrument??

3. Removal of the footnote and sole use of "Kosovo" indicates institutional recognition??

4. Benefits for Kosovo: institutional integration, diplomatic legitimacy, strengthening local government, and improving international image??

5. The Committee of the Regions' decision to use the name "Kosovo" without an asterisk is a significant political and institutional development?¹

Footnotes :

1. Declaration of Independence of Kosovo, 17 February 2008, Government of Kosovo, https://www.rks-gov.net

2. EU Report on Kosovo–Serbia Dialogue, 2012, Brussels

3. Brussels Agreement on Regional Representation, 2012, European Union

4. Committee of the Regions of the EU, Opinion on Enlargement Package 2025, 2025

5. Declaration of Independence of Kosovo, 2008, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo

6. List of International Recognitions of Kosovo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, 2023

7. Committee of the Regions Decision on Use of the Name "Kosovo" Without Asterisk, 2025

8. AKK Assessment on Local Government and 2025 Elections

9. Declaration of Independence of Kosovo, 2008, Government of Kosovo

10. List of International Recognitions of Kosovo, 2023

11. UN Security Council Resolution 1244, 1999

12. Advisory Opinion of ICJ on Kosovo's Independence, 2010

13. Asterisk Footnote, Brussels Agreement, 2012

14. EU Report on Regional Stability, 2012

15. EU Strategy for Serbia, 2012

16. EU Reports on Regional Integration, 2012–2015

17. Official Kosovo Government Documents on Dialogue, 2012

18. Serbia's Position on Kosovo Status, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, 2012

19. EU Report on Kosovo–Serbia Dialogue, 2012

20. Brussels Agreement, Final Minutes, 2012

21. EU Diplomatic Report, 2012

22. Agreement on Use of the Name Kosovo*, 2012

23. Footnote on Resolution 1244 and ICJ, Brussels Agreement, 2012

24. Kosovo Institutional Documents, 2012

25. Regional EU Reports, 2012–2015

26. List of Kosovo Delegates, Brussels Agreement, 2012

27. List of Serbia Delegates, Brussels Agreement, 2012

28. EU Representatives in Brussels Agreement, 2012

29. EU Report on Kosovo Participation, 2013

30. ICJ Opinion, 2010

31. OSCE Report on Regional Integration, 2014

32. EU Report on Serbia's Status, 2012

33. Serbian Diplomatic Documents, 2012

34. Analysis of Creative Diplomacy, University of Brussels, 2015

35. Committee of the Regions, Official Document, 2025

36. European Parliament, Official Reports, 2025

37. EU Institutional Report, 2025

38. Report on Formal Neutrality, 2025

39. Analysis of Institutional Recognition, 2025

40. CEFTA and Kosovo Participation, 2025

41. Diplomatic Analysis of International Recognition, 2025

42. AKK Report on Local Government, 2025

43. EU–Kosovo Institutional Cooperation Report, 2025

44. Symbolic Analysis of Footnote Removal, 2025

45. EU Regional Report, 2025

46. Trends in Kosovo Naming in the EU, 2025

47. Historical Analysis of the Brussels Agreement, 2015

48. Legal-Diplomatic Analysis, 2016

49. Assessment of Institutional Recognition, 2025

50. Report on Kosovo Benefits, 2025

51. Committee of the Regions Decision on the Name "Kosovo", 2025

The Land of Leka; 12.03.2026