PARIS (Sputnik) — The Albanian-dominated region, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, will need the backing of a two-third majority in the 195-member UNESCO. It has been recognized as an independent state by 111 of them.
Kosovo’s entry bid was initiated by Albania. UNESCO executive board gave it a go-ahead in October after 27 member countries backed Kosovo’s admission, with 14 countries opposing and 14 abstaining.
Serbia has been in reconciliation talks with the breakaway region since 2011 after the European Union put pressure on Belgrade. But recently, Serbia has called to put off the UNESCO vote, arguing that it would undermine negotiations.
Russia, a UNESCO member, has sided with Serbia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who heads the Russian delegation at the ongoing UNESCO General Conference where the vote will be held, warned that Kosovo's admission would be extremely dangerous.
