Kosovo marks 14th anniversary of Independence

The legality of Kosovo's Declaration of Independence for a time has been a controversial topic. Serbia, opposing the Kosovo Declaration of Independence, called for assessment of international validity and support for its position, allegedly that the Kosovo Declaration of Independence was illegal.

In the course of this performance, in October 2008, Serbia sought an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice. On July 22nd 2010, the International Court of Justice through an advisory decision reaffirmed that the Kosovo Declaration of Independence has not violated any article in the International Law.

Kosovo's February 17th 2008 declaration of independence was the crowning of a long and difficult journey for Kosovo citizens. For years Kosovo citizens suffered the consequences of ethnic cleansing by Slobodan Milosevic's Serbian regime, which resulted in a Liberation War (1997-99). After the end of the Kosovo Liberation War, there was also the deployment of international peacekeeping troops in Kosovo.

As of June 13, 1999, when Serb forces were forced to leave Kosovo, this country was managed by the United Nations Organisation UNMIK Mission and the Kosovo Self-Government Institutions: The Assembly, the President and the Government.

Although Serbia had no control over Kosovo, in Security Council Resolution 12 44, it was sometimes cited that Kosovo is a UN protectorate, but legally part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

In November 2005, the process for Kosovo's final status officially began. After comprehensive consultations, Kosovo's special international envoy for Kosovo status, Martti Ahtisaari, on February 2nd and Belgrade, submitted his proposal for Kosovo's conditional independence, which led to the establishment of an independent state. After several rounds of talks were held, Kosovo was declared independent on February 17th of 2008.

Kosovo's Declaration of Independence was made by then Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, Kosovo Assembly deputies, and Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu at the meeting held in Pristina on February 17th 2008.

“We, the leaders of our people, democratically elected, through this Declaration proclaim Kosovo independent and sovereign state. This declaration reflects the will of our people and is in full compliance with the recommendations of UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari, and his comprehensive proposal for the Kosovo Status Resolution”, the declaration signed by participating MPs said.

Kosovo's Declaration of Independence was unanimously adopted by 109 deputies present in the Kosovo Assembly Hall. Eleven Serbian minority representatives boycotted the voting procedure. Nine representatives of other ethnic minorities were part of the quorum.

Following a request from Russia, the United Nations Security Council held an emergency session on the afternoon of February 17. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon issued a neutral statement calling on all parties to refrain from any act of statements that could endanger peace, provoke violence or endanger security in Kosovo or in the region”.

Speaking on behalf of six countries of Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy and the United States, Belgian ambassador expressed regret at “that the Security Council cannot agree on the road ahead, but this impasse has been very clear for several months. Today's events represent the conclusion of a status process that has exhausted all roads in pursuit of a negotiated” outcome

On February 18th 2008, the EU presidency announced that after a day of tough talks among foreign ministers, that member states were free to decide individually whether to recognise Kosovo's independence. Most EU member states have recognised Kosovo, but Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain continue not to recognise it.

Shortly before Kosovo's Declaration of Independence, the European Union approved the deployment of a 2,000-member non-military mission to rule of Law, “EULEX”, to further develop Kosovo's police and justice sector.

All twenty-seven European Union member states approved EULEX's mandate, including the minority of five EU nations that have not yet recognised Kosovo's independence.