So far, the Spanish policy towards Kosovo has been subjected to considerations of internal opportunity and policy. But since elections are over, it is the right moment to focus on our foreign policy following the only legitimate objective that must inspire the promotion of stability in the Balkans.

Therefore, two months after the declaration of independence, and taking advantage of the forming of a new government, Spain should recognize Kosovo.

In retrospect, it is understandable that the outcome of independence was not as Spain and many other states rightly preferred with an agreement between the parties, as part of a great European and international consensus, but a unilateral declaration instead. But the fact is that today there is a new reality, as undeniable and as irreversible, whose recognition would have to arrive at some point. Kosovo is currently a state protected by the European Union under the Ahtisaari Plan, a plan sponsored by the United Nations, which Spain has supported and should continue to support because it constitutes the best guarantee for the developing of a viable, democratic and respectful state providing the rights of individuals and minorities.

This step would not jeopardize the validity of decisions taken at the time by the previous government, nor should involve the acquisition of any commitment regarding future situations. Hence, the Spanish Government would continue, as it did before, to maintain that the independence for Kosovo is a unique case in the way that it cannot be used as precedent, neither for international nor domestic purposes. One would not treat, then, the recognition of unilateral independence of Kosovo as an open door for any legal debate that leads us to an impasse; instead, we must firmly adapt to the fact that state that Kosovo is independent, and show respect for Serbia.  

The recognition would help the new state consolidate. Foreign investment will not come if there is no full guarantee of stability and irreversibility. The Kosovar democratic institutions will not be able to progress, neither will the people have any economic incentive to contribute in the construction of a viable state. Therefore, without a firm and resolute support of the EU and the international community, the Kosovars, whether Serbs or Albanians will lose their hope of a better future.

At the same time, a decision in this regard would send an important message to the Serbian nationalists, and those who encourage them from Russia, demonstrating that the EU is not an actor paralyzed by its divisions. Today, the lack of recognition sends a wrong message to the Serbian authorities, making them believe that independence is reversible or, alternatively, that the EU is going to tolerate Belgrade to annex the region north of the Iber River, where 40% of the Serbian minority is concentrated. To date, the EU has avoided deployment in the northern area, to avoid incidents that could further radicalize the spirits in the eve of the crucial elections on May 11 in Serbia. But very soon the EU mission (EULEX) will have to deploy in that area and legally enforce institutions and policies under the Ahtisaari Plan, which provides a powerful roadmap for a democratic and multiethnic Kosovo.

Taking this position, the Spanish Government would join the majority of its closest allies, which have already recognized Kosovo: namely, more than two thirds of EU members, including the biggest defenders of international law such as Holland or Scandinavian countries, three forth of NATO members or OECD, and 20 of the 25 best performing countries in the Democracy Index created by The Economist, including those who for domestic reasons, are similarly sensitive to this issues such as Canada, Belgium or the United Kingdom. Thus, such a decision would also ease things for two key neighbors, Macedonia and Montenegro, and could reinforce the position of Spain and its influence in the EU by taking a stand with regard to the Balkans as showing Spanish foreign policy is capable of dealing with this complexity, while opening a path to recognition by other states which are still reticent, especially in Latin America and the Arab world.

Conclusively, recognition will also help to strengthen the position of Spain and its leadership within the EU, allowing to highlight its commitment in the Balkans, enormous in human and economic terms and quite extensive in time, showing that even if situations like Kosovo generate internal difficulties, the Spanish foreign policy is capable of handling complex situation. In doing so, the Government will not only contribute significantly to stability in the region, but help restore our country’s position in the heart of European leadership at a crucial moment.

The authors of this article previously published by Spain's daily El Pais are Jose Ignacio Torreblanca, director of the office in Madrid of the European Council of Foreign Affairs (ECFR) and professor at the UNED, and Jordi Vaquer i Fanés, a European Program Coordinator of the CIDOB Foundation.