Ever since its declaration of independence in 2008, Kosovo has made European integration one of its key
foreign policy objectives. Having made headway over the past years in its efforts to draw nearer to the
European Union – most recently by signing a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU –
Kosovo is now eager to take the next step in its EU integration process: to apply for EU membership and
receive candidate status. However, with five member states still unwilling to recognise its statehood, Kosovo
finds itself in a unique and difficult position regarding its eligibility to advance towards the EU and
eventually accede to the European Union
