Kosovo has gained provisional recognition by the International Olympic Committee this week, setting the stage for the country's possible debut appearance at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
"The [Executive Board] noted that the NOC [National Olympic Committee] of Kosovo has met the requirements for recognition as outlined in the Olympic Charter. These include the sport and technical requirements as well as the definition of “country” as defined in Rule 30.1 – “an independent State recognised by the international community.” Kosovo is recognised as a country by 108 of the 193 UN Member States," the IOC said in a statement released on Wednesday.
"The decision was taken by the Executive Board in the interests of the athletes in Kosovo and to remove any uncertainty they may have. It will allow them to take part in qualifications for the Olympic Games Rio 2016 and in future editions of the Games," the IOC added.
The decision has been condemned by Serbia however, which continues to refuse to accept Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008.
Serbia's Olympic Committee has filed an official complaint with the IOC, reports Reuters.
The IOC decision came the same week as Kosovo's foreign minister made a historic visit to Serbia, as the first ever minister from the country to visit in an official capacity.
Minister Enver Koxhaj visited, to take part in an EU-Western Balkan conference in Belgrade.
"The [Executive Board] noted that the NOC [National Olympic Committee] of Kosovo has met the requirements for recognition as outlined in the Olympic Charter. These include the sport and technical requirements as well as the definition of “country” as defined in Rule 30.1 – “an independent State recognised by the international community.” Kosovo is recognised as a country by 108 of the 193 UN Member States," the IOC said in a statement released on Wednesday.
"The decision was taken by the Executive Board in the interests of the athletes in Kosovo and to remove any uncertainty they may have. It will allow them to take part in qualifications for the Olympic Games Rio 2016 and in future editions of the Games," the IOC added.
The decision has been condemned by Serbia however, which continues to refuse to accept Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008.
Serbia's Olympic Committee has filed an official complaint with the IOC, reports Reuters.
The IOC decision came the same week as Kosovo's foreign minister made a historic visit to Serbia, as the first ever minister from the country to visit in an official capacity.
Minister Enver Koxhaj visited, to take part in an EU-Western Balkan conference in Belgrade.