2008 Kosovo declaration of independence

none November 2021 The 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence, which proclaimed the Republic of Kosovo to be an independent and sovereign state, was adopted at a meeting held on 17 February 2008 by 109 out of the 120 members of the Assembly of Kosovo, including the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, and by the President of Kosovo, Fatmir Sejdiu (who was not a member of the Assembly).http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/141/15987.pdf International Court of Justice Accordance with International Law of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in Respect of Kosovo 2012-08-19 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100821055950/http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/141/15987.pdf 2010-08-21 29 It was the second declaration of independence by Kosovo's Albanian-majority political institutions; the first was proclaimed on 7 September 1990. Howard Clark Civil Resistance in Kosovo https://archive.org/details/civilresistancek00clar limited August 2000 Pluto Press 978-0-7453-1569-0 73 The legality of the declaration has been disputed. Serbia sought international validation and support for its stance that the declaration was illegal, and in October 2008 requested an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8004622.stm BBC News Serbian president visits Kosovo 2009-04-17 2010-04-22 The Court determined that the declaration did not violate international law.http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/141/16012.pdf?PHPSESSID=b0b24a6135eaf2347d5b0a0badec77ff Press Release: Accordance with international law of the unilateral declaration of independence in respect of Kosovo: Advisory Opinion 2010-07-22 2010-08-04 International Court of Justice https://web.archive.org/web/20100807010647/http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/141/16012.pdf?PHPSESSID=fd67c1c1a61d2a99cf11356e050236bb 7 August 2010 dead dmy-all As a result of the ICJ decision, a joint Serbia–EU resolution was passed in the United Nations General Assembly which called for an EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina to "promote cooperation, achieve progress on the path to the European Union and improve the lives of the people." http://www.unmikonline.org/Documents/GA64298.pdf UNGA Resolution 64/298 31 October 2015 19 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180219022744/http://www.unmikonline.org/Documents/GA64298.pdf dead The dialogue resulted in the 2013 Brussels deal between Belgrade and Pristina which abolished all of the Republic of Serbia's institutions in Kosovo. Dejan Pavićević is the official representative of Government of Serbia in Pristina.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-serbia-kosovo-eu-idUSBRE93I0IB20130419 EU brokers historic Kosovo deal, door opens to Serbia accession Reuters 19 April 2013 19 May 2014 Valdet Sadiku is the official representative of Kosovo to Serbia. http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-proposes-new-liaison-officer-to-belgrade Kosovo Replaces Liaison Officer to Serbia History thumb|Map of the Republic of Kosovo History of Kosovo Background The Province of Kosovo took shape in 1945 as the Autonomous Region of Kosovo and Metohija within Socialist Yugoslavia, as an autonomous region within the People's Republic of Serbia.Kreiger Heike The Kosovo Conflict and International Law: An Analytical Documentation 1974-1999 2001 Cambridge University Press 9780521800716 20 https://books.google.com/books?id=-OhPTJn8ZWoC&pg=PR20 Initially a ceremonial entity, more power was devolved to Kosovan authorities with each constitutional reform. In 1968 it became the Socialist Autonomous Province of Kosovo and in 1974, a new Yugoslav constitution introduced by Josip Broz Tito enabled the autonomous province to function with some elements of self-governance including an assembly, government and a right to its own constitution.Haug Hilde Katrine Creating a Socialist Yugoslavia: Tito, Communist Leadership and the National Question 2012 Bloomsbury Publishing 9780857721211 230 https://books.google.com/books?id=NBCMDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA230Parliamentary Assembly Documents 2001 Ordinary Session (Second Part), Volume VI 2001 Council of Europe 9789287146557 99 https://books.google.com/books?id=mAFqiDhXwxAC&pg=PA99 Increasing ethnic tension throughout Yugoslavia in the late 1980s amid rising nationalism among its nations eventually led to a decentralised state: this facilitated Serbian President Slobodan Milošević's effective termination of the privileges awarded to the Kosovar assembly in 1974. The move attracted criticism from the leaderships of the other Yugoslav republics but no higher authority was in place to reverse the measure. In response to the action, the Kosovo Assembly voted on 2 July 1990 to declare Kosovo an independent state, and this received recognition from Albania.Mehmeti Leandrit I. Radeljic Branislav Kosovo and Serbia: Contested Options and Shared Consequences 2017 University of Pittsburgh Press 9780822981572 https://books.google.com/books?id=IWMqDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT16 23–24Ginsburg Tom Bisarya Sumit Constitution Makers on Constitution Making: New Cases 2022 Cambridge University Press 9781108905046 84 https://books.google.com/books?id=imeZEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA84 A state of emergency and harsh security rules were subsequently imposed against Kosovo's Albanians following mass protests. The Albanians established a "parallel state" to provide education and social services while boycotting or being excluded from Yugoslav institutions. thumb|Kosovo from 1946 to 1992 (Source: CIA) Kosovo remained largely quiet through the Yugoslav wars. The severity of the Yugoslav government in Kosovo was internationally criticised. In 1996, the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) began attacking federal security forces. The conflict escalated until Kosovo was on the verge of all-out war by the end of 1998. In January 1999, NATO warned that it would intervene militarily against Yugoslavia if it did not agree to the introduction of an international peacekeeping force and the establishment of autonomous government in Kosovo. Subsequent peace talks failed and from 24 March to 11 June 1999, NATO carried out a bombing campaign against FR Yugoslavia including targets in Kosovo itself.Aertsen Ivo Arsovka Jana Rohne Holger C. Valiñas Marta Vanspauwen Kris Restoring Justice after Large-scale Violent Conflicts 2013 Routledge 9781134006236 84–85 https://books.google.com/books?id=MMxZIG-03Z0C&pg=PA84 The war ended with Milošević agreeing to allow NATO peacekeepers into Kosovo and withdrawing all security forces so as to transfer governance to the United Nations.Balkans security : current and projected factors affecting regional stability : briefing report to the Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives 2000 United States, Committee on Armed Services, General Accounting Office, Congress, National Security and International Affairs Division, House 9781428970304 59 Build-up United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo Constitutional status of Kosovo Kosovo status process A NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) entered the province following the Kosovo War, tasked with providing security to the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). Before and during the handover of power, an estimated 100,000 Serbs and other non-Albanians, mostly Romani people, fled the province for fear of reprisals. In the case of the non-Albanians, the Romani in particular were regarded by many Albanians as having assisted federal forces during the war. Many left along with the withdrawing security forces, expressing fears that they would be targeted by returning Albanian refugees and KLA fighters who blamed them for wartime acts of violence. Thousands more were driven out by intimidation, attacks and a wave of crime after the war. Large numbers of refugees from Kosovo still live in temporary camps and shelters in Serbia proper. In 2002, Serbia and Montenegro reported hosting 277,000 internally displaced people (the vast majority being Serbs and Roma from Kosovo), which included 201,641 persons displaced from Kosovo into Serbia proper, 29,451 displaced from Kosovo into Montenegro, and about 46,000 displaced within Kosovo itself, including 16,000 returning refugees unable to inhabit their original homes.http://www.refugees.org/world/countryrpt/europe/yugoslavia.htm USCR: Country Information: Yugoslavia www.refugees.org https://web.archive.org/web/20041029061224/http://www.refugees.org/world/countryrpt/europe/yugoslavia.htm October 29, 2004http://www.unhcr.ch/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/statistics/opendoc.pdf?tbl=STATISTICS&id=414ad5b57&page=statistics Error! www.unhcr.ch https://web.archive.org/web/20110613013001/http://www.unhcr.ch/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/statistics/opendoc.pdf?tbl=STATISTICS&id=414ad5b57&page=statistics June 13, 2011 Some sources put the figure far lower. In 2004 the European Stability Initiative estimated the number of displaced people as being only 65,000, with 130,000 Serbs remaining in Kosovo, though this would leave a significant proportion of the pre-1999 ethnic Serb population unaccounted-for. The largest concentration of ethnic Serbs in Kosovo is in the north of the province above the Ibar river, but an estimated two-thirds (75,000) of the Serbian population in Kosovo continue to live in the Albanian-dominated south of the province.http://www.esiweb.org/index.php?lang=en&id=156&document_ID=53 The Lausanne Principle: Multiethnicity, Territory and the Future of Kosovo's Serbs Esiweb.org 7 June 2004 Berlin/Pristina 2008-10-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20081206110352/http://www.esiweb.org/index.php?lang=en&id=156&document_ID=53 6 December 2008 live In March 2004, there was a serious inter-ethnic clash between Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs that led to 27 deaths and significant property destruction. The unrest was precipitated by misleading reports in the Kosovo Albanian media which falsely claimedNovember 2024 that three Kosovo Albanian boys had drowned after being chased into the Ibar River by a group of Kosovo Serbs. UNMIK peacekeepers and KFOR troops failed to contain a raging gun battle between Serbs and Albanians.Fourteen dead as ethnic violence sweeps Kosovo https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/mar/18/balkans theguardian.com 18 March 2004 17 March 2018 The Serbian Government called the events the March Pogrom.The Government of the Republic of Serbia The March Pogrom (2004) https://www.srbija.gov.rs/kosovo-metohija/en/8923 9 December 2019 In 2005 the Swiss Federal Councillor responsible for Foreign Affairs, Micheline Calmy-Rey, was the first official of a country to publicly express support for the independence of Kosovo.https://www.letemps.ch/monde/kosovo-honore-micheline-calmyrey Le Kosovo honore Micheline Calmy-Rey fr Le Temps 2 August 2017 Geneva 2022-01-23https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/calmy-rey-defends-swiss-position-on-kosovo/4642490 Calmy-Rey defends Swiss position on Kosovo Swissinfo 29 July 2005 Berne 2022-01-23https://clubmadrid.org/who/members/calmy-rey-micheline/ Micheline Calmy-Rey Club of Madrid Madrid 2022-01-23 International negotiations began in 2006 to determine the final status of Kosovo, as envisaged under UN Security Council Resolution 1244 which ended the Kosovo conflict of 1999. Serbia's continued sovereignty over Kosovo was recognised internationally. The vast majority of the province's population sought independence. Since the 2008 declaration thumb|200px|Countries recognizing Kosovo by the end of 2008 The 2008 declaration was a product of failed negotiations concerning the adoption of the Ahtisaari plan, which broke down in the fall of 2007. The plan, prepared by the UN Special Envoy and former President of Finland, Martti Ahtisaari, stipulated a sort of supervised independence for Kosovo, without expressly using the word "independence" among its proposals.https://2001-2009.state.gov/p/eur/rls/fs/101244.htm Summary of the Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement 2001-2009.state.gov 22 February 2008 2018-09-20 Under the plan, Kosovo would gain self-governance under the supervision of the European Union, and become obligated to expressly protect its minorities' rights by means of a constitution and a representative government.http://www.unosek.org/docref/Comprehensive_proposal-english.pdf Letter dated 26 March 2007 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council, Addendum, Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement, Annex IX, International Civilian Representative 26 March 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20091015082628/http://www.unosek.org/docref/Comprehensive_proposal-english.pdf 15 October 2009 usurped Kosovo would be accorded its own national symbols such as a flag and a coat of arms, and be obligated to carry out border demarcation with the Republic of North Macedonia. The Albanian negotiators supported the Ahtisaari plan essentially in whole, and the plan gained the backing of the European Union and of the United States.https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2007/february/79774.htm Presentation of Kosovo Status Proposal to the Parties McCormack Sean 2 February 2007 2001-2009.state.gov 2018-09-20 However, Serbia and Russia rejected it outright, and no progress was possible on the United Nations front. Faced with no progress on negotiations in sight, the Kosovars decided to unilaterally proclaim the Republic of Kosovo, obligating themselves in the process to follow the Ahtisaari plan's provisions in full. As of mid-April 2008, this was largely the case, with the new Republic adopting a constitution written by local and international scholars protecting minority rights and providing for a representative government with guaranteed ethnic representation, which law took effect on 15 June 2008. It also adopted some of its national symbols already, including the flag and coat of arms, while work continues on defining the anthem. It also engaged, albeit with a delay, in the border demarcation talks with North Macedonia, initially insisting on being recognised first but dropping this condition later on. The 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence elicited mixed reaction internationally and a polarised one domestically, the latter along the division of Kosovo Serbs vs. the Kosovo Albanians. Accordingly, effective control in Kosovo has also fractured along these lines. After 13 years of international oversight, Kosovo's authorities formally obtained full unsupervised control of the region (less only North Kosovo) on 10 September 2012 when Western powers terminated their oversight. The International Steering Group, in its final meeting with the authorities in Pristina, declared that the Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement, known as the Ahtisaari plan after its Finnish UN creator, had been substantially implemented.http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-supervision-lifted Era of Supervised Independence Ends in Kosovo www.balkaninsight.com 11 September 2012 Nonetheless, as of November 2015, United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo still functions, albeit at a greatly reduced capacity. Political background Kosovo status process right|thumb|Ethnic composition of Kosovo as of 2005 After the end of the Kosovo War in 1999, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1244 to provide a framework for Kosovo's interim status. It placed Kosovo under transitional UN administration, demanded a withdrawal of Serbian security forces from Kosovo and envisioned an eventual UN-facilitated political process to resolve the status of Kosovo. In February 2007, Martti Ahtisaari delivered a draft status settlement proposal to leaders in Belgrade and Pristina, the basis for a draft UN Security Council Resolution which proposed 'supervised independence' for the province. By early July 2007 a draft resolution, backed by the United States and the European Union members of the Security Council, had been rewritten four times to try to accommodate Russian concerns that such a resolution would undermine the principle of state sovereignty. However, it had still not found agreement.http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2007/06/29/nb-07 Russia reportedly rejects fourth draft resolution on Kosovo status SETimes.com 9 August 2008 Russia, which holds a veto in the Security Council as one of five permanent members, stated that it would not support any resolution which was not acceptable to both Serbia and the Kosovo Albanians.http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2007/07/10/nb-02 UN Security Council remains divided on Kosovo SETimes.com 9 August 2008 While most observers had, at the beginning of the talks, anticipated independence as the most likely outcome, others suggested that a rapid resolution might not be preferable.https://www.ft.com/content/985caa90-de5a-11db-afa7-000b5df10621 A long reconciliation process is required Financial Times 9 August 2008 The talks finally broke down, late 2007 with the two sides remaining far apart, with the minimum demands of each side being more than the other was willing to accept. At the turn of 2008, the media started reporting that the Kosovo Albanians were determined to proclaim independence.May 2019 This came at the time when the tenth anniversary of the Kosovo War was looming (with the five-year anniversary being marked by violent unrest); the U.S. President George W. Bush was in his last year in power and not able to seek re-election; and two nations which had previously seceded from Yugoslavia were in important political positions (Slovenia presiding over the EU and Croatia an elected member of the UN Security Council). The proclamation was widely reported to have been postponed until after the 2008 Serbian presidential election, held on 20 January and 3 February, given that Kosovo was an important topic of the election campaign. Adoption and terms of the declaration of independence The text of the declaration of independence is shown in the Albanian language with an English translation below: "Ne, udhëheqësit e popullit tonë, të zgjedhur në mënyrë demokratike, nëpërmjet kësaj Deklarate shpallim Kosovën shtet të pavarur dhe sovran. Kjo shpallje pasqyron vullnetin e popullit tonë dhe është në pajtueshmëri të plotë me rekomandimet e të Dërguarit Special të Kombeve të Bashkuara, Martti Ahtisaari, dhe Propozimin e tij Gjithëpërfshirës për Zgjidhjen e Statusit të Kosovës." "We, the democratically elected leaders of our people, hereby declare Kosovo to be an independent and sovereign state. This declaration reflects the will of our people and it is in full accordance with the recommendations of UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari and his Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement. We declare Kosovo to be a democratic, secular and multi-ethnic republic, guided by the principles of non-discrimination and equal protection under the law." The declaration of independence was made by members of the Kosovo Assembly as well as by the President of Kosovo meeting in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, on 17 February 2008. It was approved by a unanimous quorum, numbering 109 members. Eleven deputies representing the Serbian national minority boycotted the proceedings. All nine other ethnic minority representatives were part of the quorum.http://www.assembly-kosova.org/common/docs/proc/trans_s_2008_02_17_al.pdf Transcript: NGA SEANCA PLENARE E JASHTËZAKONSHME SOLEMNE E KUVENDIT TË KOSOVËS ME RASTIN E SHPALLJES SË PAVARËSISË, TË MBAJTUR MË 17 SHKURT 2008 Republika e Kosovës Kuvendi – Republika Kosova Skupština – Republic of Kosovo Assembly Legjislatura III Pristina sq 2008-02-17 2008-10-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20081028212537/http://www.assembly-kosova.org/common/docs/proc/trans_s_2008_02_17_al.pdf 2008-10-28 dead The terms of the declaration state that Kosovo's independence is limited to the principles outlined by the Ahtisaari plan. It prohibits Kosovo from joining any other country, provides for only a limited military capability, states that Kosovo will be under international supervision and provides for the protection of minority ethnic communities."Kosovo MPs proclaim independence", BBC News Online, 17 February 2008 The original papyrus version of the declaration signed that day is in the Albanian language.Declaration of Vice-President Tomka, Judge of the International Court of Justice, concerning the Opinion given by the ICJ concerning the Kosovo declaration of independence The Albanian text of the declaration is the sole authentic text. International disputes Legality of the declaration thumb|Kosovo passport stamps cancelled by Serbian passport control police to demonstrate its non-recognition of Kosovo's secession. On 18 February 2008 the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia declared Kosovo's declaration of independence as null and void per the suggestion of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, after the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Serbia deemed the act illegal arguing it was not in coordination with the UN Charter, the Constitution of Serbia, the Helsinki Final Act, UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (including the previous resolutions) and the Badinter Commission.http://www.parlament.gov.rs/content/cir/akta/akta_detalji.asp?Id=367&t=O https://web.archive.org/web/20101128220902/http://www.parlament.gov.rs/content/cir/akta/akta_detalji.asp?Id=367&t=O dead Decision of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia regarding the Confirmation of the Decision of the Government of the Republic of Serbia regarding the Abolition of Illegal Acts of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in Kosovo and Metohia in regards to the unilateral Declaration of Independence November 28, 2010 According to writer Noel Malcolm, the 1903 constitution was still in force at the time that Serbia annexed KosovoWorld and Its Peoples, Marshall Cavendish, 2010, p 1985Balkan Worlds, Traian Stoianovich, M.E. Sharpe, Sep 1, 1994, p 303,304Central and South-Eastern Europe 2004, Europa Publications Psychology Press, 2003 – Political Science during the First Balkan War. He elaborates that this constitution required a Grand National Assembly before Serbia's borders could be expanded to include Kosovo; but no such Grand National Assembly was ever held. Constitutionally, he argues, Kosovo should not have become part of the Kingdom of Serbia. It was initially ruled by decree.Malcolm Noel Kosovo: A Short History 1999 Harper Perennial 978-0-06-097775-7Perić, La question constitutionelle en Serbie, Paris 1914December 2013 The Contact Group had issued in 2005 the Guiding Principles upon which the final status of Kosovo shall be decided.https://www.unosek.org/docref/Contact%20Group%20-%20Ten%20Guiding%20principles%20for%20Ahtisaari.pdf Guiding principles of the Contact Group for a settlement of the status of Kosovo www.unosek.org 2006-01-30 2010-04-28 usurped https://web.archive.org/web/20091009124429/http://www.unosek.org/docref/Contact%20Group%20-%20Ten%20Guiding%20principles%20for%20Ahtisaari.pdf 2009-10-09 Precedent or special case Kosovo independence precedent Recognition of Kosovo's independence is controversial. A number of countries fear that it is a precedent, affecting other contested territories in Europe and non-European parts of the former Soviet Union, such as Abkhazia and South Ossetia.Friedman George Kosovar Independence and the Russian Reaction Stratfor 20 February 2008 http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/kosovar_independence_and_russian_reaction 2008-09-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20100307044349/http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/kosovar_independence_and_russian_reaction March 7, 2010 live The text of Kosovo's declaration of independence addressed this issue by stating "...Observing that Kosovo is a special case arising from Yugoslavia's non-consensual breakup and is not a precedent for any other situation, Recalling the years of strife and violence in Kosovo, that disturbed the conscience of "all civilized people"..." However, Ted Galen Carpenter of the Cato Institute stated the view of Kosovo being sui generis and setting no precedent is "extraordinarily naïve".Galen Carpenter Ted Kosovo Independence Grenade Cato Institute 22 February 2008 http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=9238 2008-09-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20080910045818/http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=9238 10 September 2008 bot: unknown Archived by WebCite at . United Nations involvement International Court of Justice advisory opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence The newly proclaimed republic has not been seated at the United Nations, as it is generally believed that any application for UN membership would be vetoed by Russia."https://archive.today/20121208140821/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20080215-0733-kosovo-serbia-russia-response.html Russia's options limited for Kosovo retaliation", San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 February 2008 Russia vowed to oppose Kosovo's independence with a "plan of retaliation".http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=95906 Kosovo independence to open Pandora's box: Russia International The News MUNICH February 12, 2008 2008-10-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20081206075507/http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=95906 December 6, 2008 dead Serbia has likewise proactively declared the annulment of Kosovo's independence and vowed to oppose Kosovo's independence with a package of measures intended to discourage the international recognition of the republic. The Associated Press: Serbian President Vows Fight Over Kosovo http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5juNm3C14Y4oWmhBjjfv41_OuYnXAD8UQRMOO1 2008-02-22 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226103736/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5juNm3C14Y4oWmhBjjfv41_OuYnXAD8UQRMOO1 February 26, 2008 dead On 8 October 2008, the UN General Assembly voted to refer Kosovo's independence declaration to the International Court of Justice; 77 countries voted in favour, 6 against and 74 abstained. The ICJ was asked to give an advisory opinion on the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia in February.http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?p1=3&p2=4&code=kos&case=141&k=21 Accordance with International Law of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government of Kosovo (Request for Advisory Opinion) Icj-cij.org 2010-04-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20140208141833/http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?p1=3&p2=4&code=kos&case=141&k=21 2014-02-08 dead The court delivered its advisory opinion on 22 July 2010; by a vote of 10 to 4, it declared that "the declaration of independence of the 17th of February 2008 did not violate general international law because international law contains no 'prohibition on declarations of independence'."https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66L01720100722 Tanner Adam Reed Stevenson Kosovo independence declaration deemed legal 22 July 2010 Reuters 2010-08-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20100729011833/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66L01720100722 29 July 2010 live Reactions to the declaration of independence International recognition of Kosovo thumb|center|750px|Map of states that have recognised Kosovo independence #808080 Kosovo #22B14C States that formally recognise Kosovo #BABAC2 States that do not recognise Kosovo#C83737 States that recognized Kosovo and later withdrew that recognition Reactions in Kosovo Kosovo Albanians December 2009 thumb|The Newborn monument unveiled at the celebration of the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence proclaimed earlier that day, 17 February 2008, in the capital, Pristina. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo greeted the news with celebration.https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=aNfjS6ZoAcXw&refer=uk Kosovo Declares Independence, Seeks U.S., EU Backing Bloomberg 2008-02-17 2008-02-17http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/17/europe/kosovo.php Kosovo declares independence International Herald Tribune Europe 2008-02-17 2008-02-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20080217132115/http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/17/europe/kosovo.php 17 February 2008 livehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7249909.stm Divided EU meets to debate Kosovo BBC News 2008-02-17 2008-02-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20080219222716/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7249909.stm 19 February 2008 live Kosovo Serbs 2008 unrest in Kosovo The bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo, Artemije Radosavljević, reacted in anger, stating that Kosovo's independence was a "temporary state of occupation", and that "Serbia should buy state of the art weapons from Russia and other countries and call on Russia to send volunteers and establish a military presence in Serbia."http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/HAM738779.htm Serb church urges state of war over Kosovo Reuters AlertNet 2008-02-17 2008-02-26 In North Kosovo, a UN building housing a courthouse and jail was attacked by a hand grenade, causing slight damage but no casualties. An unexploded grenade was found across the street, near a hotel that houses EU officials.http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/17/europe/EU-GEN-Kosovo-Independence-Serbs.php Explosion rocks UN building hours after Kosovo declares independence International Herald Tribune 2008-02-17 2008-02-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20080217142456/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/17/europe/EU-GEN-Kosovo-Independence-Serbs.php 17 February 2008 live An explosive device was detonated in Mitrovica, damaging two vehicles. No casualties or injuries were reported.http://www.kosovapress.com/ks/index.php?cid=2,2,38841 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226051131/http://www.kosovapress.com/ks/index.php?cid=2,2,38841 dead 26 February 2008 BLAST IN THE COURTYARD OF THE DISTRICT COURT IN NORTHERN MITROVICA Kosova Press 17 February 2008 2008-10-25 Serb protestors in Kosovo set fire to two border crossings on Kosovo's northern border. Both crossings are staffed by Kosovar and UNMIK police. No injuries were reported in the attacks, but the police withdrew until KFOR soldiers arrived.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7252874.stm Kosovo Serbs burn border points BBC News 19 February 2008 2008-02-19 A Japanese journalist wearing a UN uniform was beaten by Serbs in northern Mitrovica.https://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0221/p07s01-woeu.html Serbs try to claim a piece of Kosovo Christian Science Monitor 2008-02-21 2008-02-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20080227235425/http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0221/p07s01-woeu.html 27 February 2008 live Hundreds of Serbs protested in the Kosovo town of Mitrovica on 22 February, which was somewhat peaceful aside from some stone-throwing and limited fighting.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7259327.stm US to evacuate staff from Serbia BBC News 2008-02-22 2008-02-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20080225132904/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7259327.stm 25 February 2008 live On 14 March 2008 Serb protesters forcibly occupied the UN courthouse in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica. On 17 March, UNMIK peacekeepers and KFOR troops entered the courthouse to end the occupation. In the following clashes with several hundred protesters, one Ukrainian UNMIK police officer was killed, over 50 persons on each side were wounded and one UNMIK and one KFOR vehicle were torched. The UNMIK police withdrew from northern Mitrovica leaving KFOR troops to maintain order.Radul Radovanovic Peacekeepers battle Serbs in Kosovo 2008-03-17 Yahoo News https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080317/ap_on_re_eu/kosovo_serbs Associated Press 2008-03-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20080322011032/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080317/ap_on_re_eu/kosovo_serbs 2008-03-22UN officer dies after Kosovo riot 2008-03-18 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7300015.stm BBC News 2008-03-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20080319040957/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7300015.stm 19 March 2008 live The Community Assembly of Kosovo and Metohija first met on 28 June 2008, to coordinate Serb responses to the new government. Serbian reaction Serbia's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence 2008 Serbian protests Official reaction by the Government of Serbia included instituting pre-emptively on 12 February 2008 an Action Plan, which stipulated, among other things, recalling the Serbian ambassadors for consultations in protest from any state recognising Kosovo,http://www.ekonomskitim.sr.gov.yu/et.php?str=novost_detalji&jez=eng&nov=1852 PROTEST CONVEYED TO FRANCE, BRITAIN, COSTA RICA, AUSTRALIA, ALBANIA 2008-04-08 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080408052805/http://www.ekonomskitim.sr.gov.yu/et.php?str=novost_detalji&jez=eng&nov=1852 2008-04-08 The economic team for Kosovo and Metohija and the South of Serbia, 20 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-25. issuing arrest warrants for Kosovo leaders for high treason,http://trebinjedanas.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2029On Podnesena krivična prijava protiv Tačija, Sejdijua i Krasnićija Trebinjedanas.com 2010-04-28 and even dissolving the government on grounds of lack of consensus to deal with Kosovo, with new elections scheduled for 11 May 2008,PM Dissolves Serbia's Government, AFP, 8 March 2008.November 2012 LegobotDivisions over Kosovo cripple Serb government, The Daily Telegraph, 8 March 2008, as well as a rogue minister proposing partitioning Kosovo along ethnic lines,Serbia proposes dividing Kosovo along ethnic lines, International Herald Tribune, 25 March 2005. which initiative was shortly thereafter disavowed by the full Government, as well as the President.http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/8857/ Serb Ministers Deny Kosovo Partition Talks Balkaninsight.com 2010-04-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20090112172342/http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/8857/ January 12, 2009 dead Late in March the government disclosed its intent to litigate the issue at the International Court of Justice and seek support at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2008.http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=03&dd=26&nav_id=48824 Serbia to go to ICJ over Kosovo B92 2008-03-26 2010-04-28 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110607042447/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=03&dd=26&nav_id=48824 2011-06-07 The Prime Minister of Serbia, Vojislav Koštunica, has blamed the United States for being "ready to violate the international order for its own military interests" and stated that "Today, this policy of force thinks that it has triumphed by establishing a false state. [...] As long as the Serb people exist, Kosovo will be Serbia."https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL1743063 Serbia condemns breakaway Kosovo as "false state" Reuters 2008-02-17 2008-02-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226115335/https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL1743063 26 February 2008 live Slobodan Samardžić, the Serb minister for Kosovo, stated that, "A new country is being established by breach of international law [...] It's better to call it a fake country."http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23231570-5006003,00.html Jubilation and hatred over Kosovo The Daily Telegraph 2008-02-17 2008-02-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20080229021934/http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0%2C22049%2C23231570-5006003%2C00.html 29 February 2008 dead However, the Serbian government says they will not respond with violence.U.S. recognizes independent Kosovo, CNN, 18 February 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080218214830/http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/18/kosovo.independence/index.html February 18, 2008 On 17 February, about 2,000 Serbs protested at the United States Embassy in Belgrade, with some throwing stones and firecrackers at the building before being driven back by riot police. Protestors also broke windows of the embassy of Slovenia, the state that controlled the EU presidency.http://www.dailymail.com/News/200802170255 https://archive.today/20080226030059/http://www.dailymail.com/News/200802170255 dead 2008-02-26 Kosovo declares independence from Serbia; Russia protests, warning it will stir conflict Charleston Daily Mail 2008-02-17 2008-02-17 In Belgrade and Novi Sad, McDonald's restaurants were damaged by protestors.http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23231577-912,00.html Serbian president rejects Kosovo independence declaration Adelaide Now 2008-02-17 2008-02-17 Slobodan Lekic 9 December 2012 https://archive.today/20121209135427/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/serbia-rejects-kosovo-move/story-e6frea8l-1111115578474 dead The Serbian division of U.S. Steel, based in Smederevo, had a false bomb threat called in. B92 – Vesti – Neredi u gradovima Srbije – Internet, Radio i TV stanica; najnovije vesti iz Srbije http://xs4.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=19&nav_id=285477 2008-02-22 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226051945/http://xs4.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=19&nav_id=285477 February 26, 2008 dead The Crown Council of House of Karadjordjevic, a former royal family of Serbia and Yugoslavia, rejected Kosovo's declaration of independence, saying that: "Europe had diminished its own morale, embarrassed its own history and shown that it carries within its organism the virus of its own downfall", and that "it is a defeat of the idea of democracy... a defeat of the universally accepted rules of international law", and that a "part of the project of Mussolini and Hitler has finally been accomplished, in the territory of Serbia". Saopstenje za stampu http://www.royalfamily.org/statements/state-det/state-1817.htm 2008-02-22 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080228010847/http://www.royalfamily.org/statements/state-det/state-1817.htm 28 February 2008 dead dmy-all On 21 February, there were large demonstrations by Serbs in Belgrade. There were more than 500,000 protesters. Most protesters were non-violent, but small groups attacked the United States and Croatian embassies. A group broke into The United States embassy, set it on fire, and attempted to throw furniture through the windows. The embassy was empty, except for security personnel. No embassy staff were injured, but a corpse was found; embassy spokeswoman Rian Harris stated that the embassy believes it to be an attacker.https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080221/ap_on_re_eu/serbia_kosovo_independence Belgrade's US Embassy set on fire 2008-02-21 Associated Press/Yahoo News 9 August 2008 Police took 45 minutes to arrive at the scene, and the fire was only then put out. US ambassador to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad was "outraged", and requested the UN Security Council immediately issue a statement "expressing the council's outrage, condemning the attack, and also reminding the Serb government of its responsibility to protect diplomatic facilities." The damage to the Croatian embassy was less serious. The Turkish and British embassies were also attacked, but police were able to prevent damage. The interior of a McDonald's was damaged. A local clinic admitted 30 injured, half of whom were police; most wounds were minor. The Security Council responded to these incidents by issuing a unanimous statement that, "The members of the Security Council condemn in the strongest terms the mob attacks against embassies in Belgrade, which have resulted in damage to embassy premises and have endangered diplomatic personnel," noting that the 1961 Vienna Convention requires host states to protect embassies.https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN21520115 U.N. council condemns Belgrade embassy attacks Reuters 2008-02-21 2008-02-21 Patrick Worsnip https://web.archive.org/web/20080225200937/https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN21520115 25 February 2008 live On 22 February, the United States embassy in Serbia ordered the temporary evacuation of all non-essential personnel, after the protests and attacks on the embassy. Rian Harris, a U.S. embassy spokeswoman, explained the evacuation to AFP saying that "Dependents are being temporarily ordered to depart Belgrade. We do not have confidence that Serbian authorities can provide security for our staff members." Reactions in the former Yugoslavia On 23 February, 44 protesters were arrested after burning the Serbian flag, in the main square of Zagreb (Croatia), following Serb protesters attacking the Croatian embassy in Belgrade, Serbia. https://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSL2248007720080222 Croatia arrests 44 anti-Serb protesters 2008-02-22 2008-02-22 Reuters Zoran Radosavljevic https://web.archive.org/web/20080225173015/https://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSL2248007720080222 25 February 2008 live Hundreds of Bosnian Serb demonstrators broke away from a peaceful rally in Banja Luka on 26 February 2008 and headed for the United States Embassy's office there, clashing with police along the way. In Montenegro, protests were held in Podgorica on 19 February. Protesters waved flags of the Serb People's Party and the Serbian Radical Party. Serb parties led by the Serb List are calling for a protest on 22 February to protest the independence bid. BalkanInsight.com – Montenegro Students Protest http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/8022/ 2008-02-22 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226052543/http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/8022/ 2008-02-26 International reaction International recognition of Kosovo Unlike the 1990 Kosovo declaration of independence, which only Albania recognised,Clark (2000), p. 92 Kosovo's second declaration of independence has received 111 diplomatic recognitions. However, many states have also showed their opposition to Kosovo's declaration of independence, most notably India, China and Russia. Serbia announced before the declaration that it would withdraw its ambassador from any state which recognised independent Kosovo.http://news.smh.com.au/serbia-tipped-to-recall-ambassador/20080219-1svc.html Serbia tipped to recall ambassador The Sydney Morning Herald Sandra O'malley 2008-02-19 9 August 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080429173028/http://news.smh.com.au/serbia-tipped-to-recall-ambassador/20080219-1svc.html 29 April 2008 Serbia, however, maintains embassies in many countries which recognise Kosovo, including Albania, Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Turkey, the UAE, the UK, and the US.http://www.mfa.gov.rs/sr/index.php/diplomatsko-konzularna-predstavnistva/diplomatske-misije/ambasade?lang=lat Ambasade Republike Srbije Embassies of the Republic of Serbia Republic of Serbia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 9 January 2015 1 November 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181101125443/http://www.mfa.gov.rs/sr/index.php/diplomatsko-konzularna-predstavnistva/diplomatske-misije/ambasade?lang=lat dead Reaction within the European Union thumb|200px|Celebration of the declaration of independence of Kosovo in Vienna, Austria On 18 February 2008 the EU presidency announced after a day of intense talks between foreign ministers that member countries were free to decide individually whether to recognise Kosovo's independence. The majority of EU member states have recognised Kosovo, but Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain have not.EU splits on Kosovo recognition 2008-02-18 BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7249909.stm 2008-02-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20080219222716/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7249909.stm 19 February 2008 live Some Spanish people (scholars or from the Spanish Government or opposition parties) challenged the comparison made by the Basque Government that way of Kosovo's independence could be a path for the independence of the Basque Country and Catalonia.International Law Teacher from Catalonia argues that Catalonia or Basque Country and Kosovo cases are different. (22/07)Spanish Foreign Minister says Spain will not recognize Kosovo's independence, not even mentioning comparison to Basque Country or Catalonia (23/07)Basque Country politician (EB) states Court decision forces Spanish Government to recognize autodetemination rights (23/07)Previously in 2008: Basque Government spokeswoman says Kosovo is an example to be followed (17/022008)Spanish opposition politician denies that cases can be compared (18/02/2008). Shortly before Kosovo's declaration of independence, the European Union approved deployment of a non-military 2,000-member Rule of Law mission, "EULEX", to develop further Kosovo's police and justice sector. All twenty-seven members of the EU approved the EULEX mandate, including the minority of EU countries that have still not recognised Kosovo's independence. Serbia has claimed that this is an occupation and that the EU's move is illegal. Outside the EU thumb|left|upright|People celebrating Kosovo's declaration of independence in Lausanne, Switzerland, with their car holding the Swiss, Albanian, and American flags United States president George W. Bush welcomed the declaration of independence as well as its proclamation of friendship with Serbia, stating: "We have strongly supported the Ahtisaari plan [implying Kosovo's independence]. We are heartened by the fact that the Kosovo government has clearly proclaimed its willingness and its desire to support Serbian rights in Kosovo. We also believe it's in Serbia's interests to be aligned with Europe and the Serbian people can know that they have a friend in America."In quotes: Kosovo reaction, BBC News Online, 17 February 2008; https://web.archive.org/web/20080306100251/http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/02/20080217.html Russia reacted with condemnation, stating they "expect the UN mission and NATO-led forces in Kosovo to take immediate action to carry out their mandate [...] including the annulling of the decisions of Pristina's self-governing organs and the taking of tough administrative measures against them." In Tirana, the capital of Albania, 'Kosovo Day' was held as a celebration,http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=17&nav_id=47778 Tirana celebrates "Kosovo Day" B92 9 August 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080219170555/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=17&nav_id=47778 19 February 2008 and a square in central Tirana was named for this occasion.V E N D I M Nr. 13, datë 11.04.2008 PËR EMERTIMIN SHESHIT "PAVARESIA E KOSOVES" https://tirana.al/uploads/2019/5/20190527155453_13-per-emertimin-sheshit-pavaresia.pdf Tirana Municipality Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan phoned Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, commenting on the declaration of independence, and that it "will bring to Balkans peace and stability".Ankara'dan Kosova'ya jest https://web.archive.org/web/20080525070103/http://www.zaman.com.tr/haber.do?haberno=653542 2008-05-25 , Zaman Newspaper, 18 February 2008 (in Turkish language) The Republic of China's (commonly known as Taiwan; non-UN member) Foreign Ministry stated "We congratulate the Kosovo people on their winning independence and hope they enjoy the fruits of democracy and freedom. [...] Democracy and self-determination are the rights endorsed by the United Nations. The Republic of China always supports sovereign countries' seeking democracy, sovereignty and independence through peaceful means."http://news.monstersandcritics.com/asiapacific/news/article_1391616.php Taiwan congratulates Kosovo on independence 2008-02-17 2008-02-17 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120307091157/http://news.monstersandcritics.com/asiapacific/news/article_1391616.php 2012-03-07 Taiwan's political rival, the People's Republic of China, responded quickly, saying that "Taiwan, as a part of China, has no right and qualification at all to make the so-called recognition". Spokesman: Taiwan has no right to "recognize" Kosovo's independence English Xinhua http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/18/content_7625025.htm 2008-02-22 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080219155609/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/18/content_7625025.htm 19 February 2008 dead Amongst Southeast Asian countries where Muslim separatist movements were active in at least three states, Indonesia, with the world's largest Muslim population, deferred recognition of an independent Kosovo, The Jakarta Post – Malaysia's Islamic opposition drops theocracy from platform http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailgeneral.asp?fileid=20080219125657&irec=13 2008-02-22 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226051043/http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailgeneral.asp?fileid=20080219125657&irec=13 2008-02-26 while the Philippines declared it will not oppose, nor support Kosovo's independence.RP: Seek negotiated settlement to Kosovo independence row Philippine Daily Inquirer http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20080219-119821/RP-Seek-negotiated-settlement-to-Kosovo-independence-row 2008-02-19 2008-02-19 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20081210055505/http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20080219-119821/RP-Seek-negotiated-settlement-to-Kosovo-independence-row 2008-12-10 RP prefers negotiated settlement to Kosovo's independence declaration Philippine Star http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Local%20News&p=54&type=2&sec=2&aid=2008021929 2008-02-19 2008-02-19 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080226020120/http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Local%20News&p=54&type=2&sec=2&aid=2008021929 February 26, 2008 Both countries face pressures from Muslim separatist movements within their territories, notably Aceh and southern Mindanao respectively. Vietnam expressed opposition,Vietnam Says Against Kosovo Independence Limun.hr http://www.limun.hr/en/main.aspx?id=248819 2008-02-17 2008-02-28 while Singapore reported that it was still studying the situation. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/329558/1/.html S'pore studying Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia 2008-02-18 2008-02-18 Channel NewsAsia https://web.archive.org/web/20080219111941/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/329558/1/.html 2008-02-19June 2016 Malaysia, which headed the Organisation of the Islamic Conference at the time, formally recognized Kosovo's sovereignty three days after its independence. http://www.kln.gov.my/?m_id=26&vid=607 Press Release: KENYATAAN AKHBAR PERISYTIHARAN KEMERDEKAAN KOSOVO ms 2008-02-21 2008-02-20 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia thumb|Hashim Thaçi and then U.S. Vice President Joe Biden with the Declaration of Independence of Kosovo. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd backed Kosovan independence on the morning of 18 February, saying "This would appear to be the right course of action. That's why, diplomatically, we would extend recognition at the earliest opportunity."http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23231533-29277,00.html Rudd backs independent Kosovo 2008-02-18 2008-02-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20081206101335/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C23231533-29277%2C00.html December 6, 2008 dead New Zealand's Former Prime Minister Helen Clark said that New Zealand would neither recognise nor not recognise an independent Kosovo.http://www.stuff.co.nz/4406032a6160.html NZ on fence over Kosovo independence 2008-02-18 2008-02-19 26 February 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226022840/http://www.stuff.co.nz/4406032a6160.html dead Pro-Independence rallies were held by ethnic Albanians in Canada in the days leading up to the declaration.http://www.kosovapress.com/ks/index.php?cid=2,2,38777 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226051126/http://www.kosovapress.com/ks/index.php?cid=2,2,38777 dead 26 February 2008 PRO-INDEPENDENCE RALLIES IN CANADA Kosova press 9 August 2008 On 9 November 2009 New Zealand formally recognised Kosovo's independence. The President of Northern Cyprus (a state not recognised by the UN), Mehmet Ali Talat, saluted the independence of Kosovo and hopes that the state is respected and assisted, in staunch opposition to the position of the Republic of Cyprus. The New Anatolian http://www.thenewanatolian.com/tna-31302.html 2008-02-22 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226043221/http://www.thenewanatolian.com/tna-31302.html 2008-02-26 United Nations Following a request from Russia, the United Nations Security Council held an emergency session in the afternoon of 17 February 2008.UN Security Council to meet on Kosovo – diplomat UPDATE https://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2008/02/17/afx4664520.html AFX News Limited Forbes 2008-02-17 2008-02-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226063817/http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2008/02/17/afx4664520.html February 26, 2008 dead The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, issued a statement that avoided taking sides and urged all parties "to refrain from any actions of statements that could endanger peace, incite violence or jeopardize security in Kosovo or the region." Kosovo Declares Its Independence From Serbia – New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/18/world/europe/18kosovo.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all 2008-02-22 The New York Times Dan Bilefsky 2008-02-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20121110162647/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/18/world/europe/18kosovo.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all November 10, 2012 live Speaking on behalf of six countries—Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy and the United States—the Belgian ambassador expressed regret "that the Security Council cannot agree on the way forward, but this impasse has been clear for many months. Today's events... represent the conclusion of a status process that has exhausted all avenues in pursuit of a negotiated outcome." Albanian celebrations leave Serbs defiant The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/feb/18/kosovo.serbia1 2008-02-22 London Julian Borger 2008-02-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20080220015717/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/18/kosovo.serbia1 20 February 2008 live ICJ ruling Advisory opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence On 22 July 2010, the International Court of Justice ruled that the declaration did not violate international law, holding that the authors were acting in their capacity as representatives of the people of Kosovo outside the framework of the interim administration (the Assembly of Kosovo and the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government), and were therefore not bound by the Constitutional Framework (promulgated by UNMIK) or by UNSCR1244 that is addressed only to United Nations Member States and organs of the United Nations. Prior to the announcement Hashim Thaçi said there would be no "winners or losers" and that "I expect this to be a correct decision, according to the will of Kosovo's citizens. Kosovo will respect the advisory opinion." For his part, Boris Tadić, the Serbian president, warned that "If the International Court of Justice sets a new principle, it would trigger a process that would create several new countries and destabilise numerous regions in the world."http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/07/201072232633925457.html ICJ rules on Kosovo statehood – Europe Al Jazeera English 2010-07-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20100723170527/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/07/201072232633925457.html 23 July 2010 live See also Foreign relations of Kosovo International recognition of Kosovo Kosovo Independence Day Kosovo independence precedent List of states with limited recognition Political status of Kosovo Proposed secession of Republika Srpska References 2 Further reading Fierstein Daniel Fall 2008 Kosovo's Declaration of Independence: An Incident Analysis of Legality, Policy and Future Implications https://www.bu.edu/law/journals-archive/international/volume26n2/documents/fierstein.pdf Boston University International Law Journal 26 2 417–42 Jovanović Miloš 2008 Recognition of Kosovo independence as a violation of international law https://anali.rs/xml/200-/2008c/2008-3e/Annals_2008_108-140.pdf Annals of the Faculty of Law in Belgrade 56 3 108–140 Warbrick Colin July 2008 I. Kosovo: The Declaration of Independence International and Comparative Law Quarterly 57 3 675–690 10.1017/S002058930800047X 0020-5893 http://pure-oai.bham.ac.uk/ws/files/17390627/Warbrick_2008_International_and_Comparative_Law_Quarterly.pdf Orakhelashvili Alexander 1 January 2008 Statehood, Recognition and the United Nations System: A Unilateral Declaration of Independence in Kosovo https://www.mpil.de/files/pdf2/mpunyb_01_orakhel_12.pdf Max-Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law 12 1–44 10.1163/18757413-90000019a 1875-7413 Vidmar Jure May 2009 International Legal Responses to Kosovo's Declaration of Independence https://scholarship.law.vanderbilt.edu/vjtl/vol42/iss3/2/ Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law 42 3 779 External links BBC profileSeptember 2016 InternetArchiveBot yes Assembly of Kosovo: Kosovo Declaration of Independence, Pristina, 17 February 2008. Kosovo Thanks You Portal Kosovo Young Europeans Campaign Kosovo Compromise Portal Kosovo – a timeline of independence, Feb 17, 2008, The Sofia Echo Kosovo, a testing ground for giants, 17 March 2008, Turkish Daily News 1 Serbia Politics Kosovo declares independence from Serbia * Kosovo Declaration of independence Category:February 2008 in Europe