Fourth anniversary of Kosovo’s UDI

Kosovo unilaterally declared independence four years ago. 87 countries, including the U.S. and 22 EU member states, have recognized it as an independent state. The Kosovo assembly on February 17, 2008 adopted the Declaration of Independence, which was annulled by the Serbian government the same night as an illegal bill of the provisional institutions in Pristina. Fourth anniversary of Kosovo’s UDI All 109 MPs voted in favor of the Declaration, which stated that Kosovo would be formed based on the Ahtisaari plan. In the meantime, Kosovo Albanians organized celebrations while Serbs staged protests. The protesters gathered in downtown Belgrade, blocked traffic, broke shop windows and traffic lights and soon after clashed with police who used tear gas but did not manage to stop them. The protesters demolished McDonald’s restaurants, threw rocks and bottles at the embassies of the U.S., Croatia, Albania, Slovenia and Turkey. There were also unrests in Novi Sad. A day after the UDI, Kosovo was recognized by six states, including the U.S., Great Britain and France. The Serbian MPs confirmed the government’s decision that the unilateral declaration of independence was null and void and the UN Security Council held an emergency session. Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin insisted on the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 which guarantees Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. The two-hour debate ended without adoption of a resolution due to antipodal stances of Russia and China on one and the U.S. and European states on the other side. Serbia’s Foreign Minister recalled ambassadors from the countries that had recognized Kosovo’s independence. The Serbian authorities organized a rally dubbed “Kosovo is Serbia” on February 21. Then Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and then Serb Radical Party (SRS) deputy leader Tomislav Nikolic addressed the citizens. Several thousands of protesters set the U.S. Embassy on fire after the rally and damaged several other buildings hosting foreign embassies. One person died in the U.S. Embassy and more than 150 were injured during the unrest. Police arrested 192 persons. Kosovo got its national anthem and Constitution in June 2008. At Serbia’s request the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution requesting the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to rule whether Kosovo’s UDI was in accordance with the international law on October 8, 2008. The ICJ ruled on July 22, 2010 that Kosovo did not violate the international laws and the Resolution 1244 by unilaterally declaring independence. Two months later Serbia submitted a new draft resolution on Kosovo to the UN General Assembly. The draft was harmonized with the EU and was adopted with an acclamation. Belgrade and Pristina started the negotiations under the EU auspices in March 2011. Eight rounds of talks have so far been held and a number of agreements have been reached. Northern Kosovo Serbs held a referendum on the Pristina institutions on February 14 and 15, despite disagreements from Belgrade and the international community. According to preliminary results, 75 percent of citizens voted in the referendum and 99.74 percent voted against the Pristina institutions. B92

Fourth anniversary of Kosovo’s UDI

All 109 MPs voted in favor of the Declaration, which stated that Kosovo would be formed based on the Ahtisaari plan.

In the meantime, Kosovo Albanians organized celebrations while Serbs staged protests.

The protesters gathered in downtown Belgrade, blocked traffic, broke shop windows and traffic lights and soon after clashed with police who used tear gas but did not manage to stop them.

The protesters demolished McDonald’s restaurants, threw rocks and bottles at the embassies of the U.S., Croatia, Albania, Slovenia and Turkey. There were also unrests in Novi Sad.

A day after the UDI, Kosovo was recognized by six states, including the U.S., Great Britain and France. The Serbian MPs confirmed the government’s decision that the unilateral declaration of independence was null and void and the UN Security Council held an emergency session.

Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin insisted on the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 which guarantees Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. The two-hour debate ended without adoption of a resolution due to antipodal stances of Russia and China on one and the U.S. and European states on the other side.

Serbia’s Foreign Minister recalled ambassadors from the countries that had recognized Kosovo’s independence.

The Serbian authorities organized a rally dubbed “Kosovo is Serbia” on February 21. Then Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica and then Serb Radical Party (SRS) deputy leader Tomislav Nikolić addressed the citizens.

Several thousands of protesters set the U.S. Embassy on fire after the rally and damaged several other buildings hosting foreign embassies. One person died in the U.S. Embassy and more than 150 were injured during the unrest. Police arrested 192 persons.

Kosovo got its national anthem and Constitution in June 2008.

At Serbia’s request the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution requesting the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to rule whether Kosovo’s UDI was in accordance with the international law on October 8, 2008.

The ICJ ruled on July 22, 2010 that Kosovo did not violate the international laws and the Resolution 1244 by unilaterally declaring independence.

Two months later Serbia submitted a new draft resolution on Kosovo to the UN General Assembly. The draft was harmonized with the EU and was adopted with an acclamation.

Belgrade and Priština started the negotiations under the EU auspices in March 2011. Eight rounds of talks have so far been held and a number of agreements have been reached.

Northern Kosovo Serbs held a referendum on the Priština institutions on February 14 and 15, despite disagreements from Belgrade and the international community.

According to preliminary results, 75 percent of citizens voted in the referendum and 99.74 percent voted against the Priština institutions.