Kosovo's Future Status and U.S. Policy

Publication Date: July 2007

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Politics

Type:

Coverage: Kosovo (Serbia)

Abstract:

The future status of Kosovo is the most sensitive and potentially destabilizing political question in the Balkans. The Administration views "getting Kosovo right" as key to integrating the Balkans into Euro-Atlantic institutions. This report discusses the issue of Kosovo's future status; that is, whether it should become an independent country or continue to be part of Serbia, but with a large degree of autonomy. Talks on Kosovo's status began in February 2006 and are expected to be concluded by the end of the year. The second session of the 109th Congress may consider legislation on Kosovo's status. This report will be updated as events warrant. For more on the current situation in Kosovo, see CRS Report RL31053, Kosovo and U.S. Policy, by Steven J. Woehrel and Julie Kim.