Kosovo, which proclaimed independence in 2008, is trying to become a Unesco member and has sought Bangladesh’s help in this regard.
The US has also requested Bangladesh to support the bid of Kosovo while its arch-rival from the Cold War era, Russia, is lobbying for the opposite.
“We got opposite requests from the US and Russia regarding Kosovo,” said a senior government official.
Asked about the government’s position on Kosovo’s induction into Unesco, he said Bangladesh does not recognise Kosovo.
“Bangladesh will wait till Kosovo and its neighbour Serbia settle their disputes,” he said.
“Senior officials of Kosovo wanted to meet the Bangladesh foreign minister at the UN General Assembly in September to lobby for their inclusion in Unesco but he did not meet them,” he added.
Kosovo applied for Unesco membership in September, and also recommended at a Unseco Executive Board meeting in October that the Muslim-dominated European country be admitted during Unesco’s General Conference from November 3 to 18.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be leaving for Paris to attend the conference from November 15 to 17.
Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008. 111 countries have so far recognised Kosovo.
