Kosovo Celebrates Full Independence on Monday
As the International Steering Group ends its supervision of Kosovo's independence, the country embraces a new era with optimism.
Kosovo is set to become fully independent on Monday after its Western allies are expected to announce that the country has fulfilled all the relevant conditions and their mission is over.
The International Steering Group, a body of 25 states, all supporters of Kosovo’s statehood since it declared independence in February 2008, are to meet for the last time on Monday and formally terminate the process of supervision.
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Serbs Reject Any Kind of Kosovo Independence Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said that Serbia accepts neither supervised nor unsupervised independence of Kosovo. "As far as we're concerned, the issue of Kosovo will not be solved before Serbia gives its approval," he noted. Aleksandar Vulin, the head of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo, said that Serbs could not expect any good from the end of supervised independence, because greater independence of the institutions in Pristina did not instill confidence and hope. |
Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Hashim Thaci, on Saturday said that much remained to be done, but he argued that the state of Kosovo was being consolidated and strengthened every day.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008. Since then 89 states, including 22 EU member states and the US, have recognized it.
In its last meeting the ISG, which regulates the International Civilian Office, which in turn ensured implementation of UN diplomat Martti Ahtisaari’s package, underlined the need for the principles and spirit that have governed Kosovo so far to continue into the period that follows the ending of supervised independence.
Serbia has said it opposes the move, expressing concern about the new powers that the Kosovo authorities will have to take unilateral decisions.
Some 35 foreign delegations have confirmed their attendance during the two days of festivities, which the authorities have organized to end the period of oversight.
Deputy Foreign Minister Petrit Selimi said it would be the biggest meeting that the country has organized since it declared independence, and would enbable Kosovo’s progress to be seen before the world.
“We are happy that, together with the International Civilian Office and the International Steering Group, we are ending this chapter,” he said.
Among the guests will be the former UN Envoy on Kosovo’s Status, Ahtisaari, who will address the Kosovo parliament on Monday during the solemn ceremony.
Last Friday, parliament adopted a set of 22 constitutional amendments that terminated the era of internationally supervised independence.
In the same session, MPs extended the mandate of the EU’s rule of law mission to Kosovo, known as EULEX, until June 2014.
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