Independence declaration anniversary marked in Kosovo

Reuters/ Laura Hasani

The authorities in Pristina marked the 15th anniversary of the unilateral declaration of Kosovo’s independence with two separate ceremonies led by the president and prime minister.

President Vjosa Osmani attended a flag-raising ceremony in front of parliament with other state officials and visiting Albanian President Bajram Begaj. Osmani published a picture of the ceremony on her Instagram profile with the caption: The Republic of Kosovo is eternal!

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A post shared by Vjosa Osmani (@vjosa.osmani)

Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s government held a formal cabinet meeting to mark the anniversary with Kurti saying that Kosovo is an example of democracy in the Balkans. “Kosovo is a democratic example in a region as problematic as the Balkans thanks to you. Our Kosovo is modeled by its citizens. Our independence is the outcome of centuries of history, we have a long history of co-existence,” he added.

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama said a union of all Albanians is the goal at the end of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, adding that he and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti want to see Serbia recognize Kosovo and ask for forgiveness.

Kosovo Serbs who spoke to N1 said that their living standards have grown worse since Pristina declared independence in 2008 with a loss of many rights, including freedom of movement.

Kosovo was under UN administration following the end of the NATO air campaign in 1999 and the signing of the Kumanovo agreement to withdraw all Serbian military and police forces from the southern Serbian province. The Kosovo Parliament declared independence on February 17, 2008 with all 109 MPs present at the sitting voting yes. Kosovo was recognized that day by the United States and several European countries.