This recognition took effect immediately and was in full alignment with a statement issued by European Ministers for Foreign Affairs in Brussels on the same day.

At the same time, this act represented a commitment to building a forward-looking relationship with an independent Kosovo, as well as with the broader Balkans region, turning the page on the tragic conflicts of the 1990s".

Other key priorities for Kosovo, such as gaining membership in international organizations, including the United Nations, and eventual integration into the European Union, have also received consistent backing from France.

[4] However, the effectiveness of France’s individual initiatives is somewhat constrained by the framework of multilateral and international organizations that govern global politics today.

This approach has not only helped to legitimize France’s political stance but has also strengthened the impact of its support through a collective, unified voice.

In 2021, France’s trade surplus with Kosovo rose to €40.2 million, marking a 145% increase, driven by the economic recovery, which the IMF estimated at 7.5% for that year.

Key suppliers to Kosovo include Germany, Turkey, China, and Serbia, with the United States serving as its largest customer.

[6] The Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement prioritized multi-ethnicity, democracy, and human rights protection from the outset.

France, as a member of the International Steering Group, strongly supported these priorities and actively participated in overseeing their implementation.

Its contributions are often confined to sporadic support for a few NGOs in Serb-majority areas like north Mitrovica and Gračanica and efforts to preserve Serb cultural heritage.