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((Short description|none))
((Use dmy dates|date=November 2021))

((Politics of Kosovo))

The '''2008 Kosovo declaration of independence''', which proclaimed the [[Kosovo|Republic of Kosovo]] to be a state independent from [[Serbia]], 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).<ref name="ICJ">((cite web|url=http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/141/15987.pdf |publisher=[[International Court of Justice]] |title=Accordance with International Law of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in Respect of Kosovo |access-date=2012-08-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821055950/http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/141/15987.pdf |archive-date=2010-08-21 |page=29 ))</ref>  It was the second declaration of independence by [[Kosovo Albanians|Kosovo's Albanian-majority]] political institutions; [[Republic of Kosova|the first was proclaimed]] on 7 September 1990.<ref>((cite book| author = Howard Clark| title = Civil Resistance in Kosovo| url = https://archive.org/details/civilresistancek00clar| url-access = limited| date = August 2000| publisher = Pluto Press| isbn = 978-0-7453-1569-0| page = [https://archive.org/details/civilresistancek00clar/page/n90 73] ))</ref>

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 [[Advisory opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence|an advisory opinion]] from the [[International Court of Justice]].<ref>((cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8004622.stm | work=BBC News | title=Serbian president visits Kosovo | date=2009-04-17 | access-date=2010-04-22))</ref> The Court determined that the declaration did not violate international law.<ref>((cite web | url=http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/141/16012.pdf?PHPSESSID=b0b24a6135eaf2347d5b0a0badec77ff | title=Press Release: Accordance with international law of the unilateral declaration of independence in respect of Kosovo: Advisory Opinion | date=2010-07-22 | access-date=2010-08-04 | publisher=International Court of Justice | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100807010647/http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/141/16012.pdf?PHPSESSID=fd67c1c1a61d2a99cf11356e050236bb | archive-date=7 August 2010 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all ))</ref>

As a result of the ICJ decision, a joint Serbia–EU resolution was passed in the [[United Nations General Assembly]] which called for an [[Belgrade–Pristina negotiations|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."<ref>((Cite web|url = http://www.unmikonline.org/Documents/GA64298.pdf|title = UNGA Resolution 64/298|access-date = 31 October 2015|archive-date = 19 February 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180219022744/http://www.unmikonline.org/Documents/GA64298.pdf|url-status = dead))</ref> The dialogue resulted in the [[Brussels Agreement (2013)|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.<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-serbia-kosovo-eu-idUSBRE93I0IB20130419|title=EU brokers historic Kosovo deal, door opens to Serbia accession|newspaper=Reuters|date=19 April 2013|access-date=19 May 2014))</ref> Valdet Sadiku is the official representative of Kosovo to Serbia.<ref>((Cite news|url = http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-proposes-new-liaison-officer-to-belgrade|title = Kosovo Replaces Liaison Officer to Serbia))</ref>

==History==
[[File:Kosovo rep en.png|right|thumb|250px|Map of the Republic of Kosovo]]
((more citations needed section|date=February 2011))
((Main|History of Kosovo))

===Background===
The [[Kosovo|Province of Kosovo]] took shape in 1945 as the [[Socialist Autonomous Province of Kosovo|Autonomous Region of Kosovo and Metohija]] within [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Socialist Yugoslavia]], as an [[autonomous administrative division|autonomous region]] within the [[Socialist Republic of Serbia|People's Republic of Serbia]]. 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 new constitution enabled the province to function at every administrative level independently of its host republic within Yugoslavia. 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 [[Republic of Kosova|an independent state]], and this received recognition from Albania. 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.  
[[File:Kosovo 1913-1992 CIA.jpg|thumb|300px|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 local government in Kosovo. Subsequent peace talks failed and from 24 March to 11 June 1999, NATO carried out [[Kosovo war|an extensive bombing campaign]] against FR Yugoslavia including targets in Kosovo itself. The war ended with Milošević agreeing to allow peacekeepers into Kosovo and withdrawing all security forces so as to transfer governance to the [[United Nations]].

===Build-up===
((Further|Kosovo (UNMIK)|Constitutional status of Kosovo|Kosovo status process))
A NATO-led Kosovo Force ([[Kosovo Force|KFOR]]) entered the province following the [[Kosovo War]], tasked with providing security to the UN Mission in Kosovo ([[United Nations Interim Administration 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.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.refugees.org/world/countryrpt/europe/yugoslavia.htm |title= USCR: Country Information: Yugoslavia|website=www.refugees.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029061224/http://www.refugees.org/world/countryrpt/europe/yugoslavia.htm |archive-date=October 29, 2004))</ref><ref>((cite web |url=http://www.unhcr.ch/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/statistics/opendoc.pdf?tbl=STATISTICS&id=414ad5b57&page=statistics |title= Error!|website=www.unhcr.ch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613013001/http://www.unhcr.ch/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/statistics/opendoc.pdf?tbl=STATISTICS&id=414ad5b57&page=statistics |archive-date=June 13, 2011))</ref>
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.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.esiweb.org/index.php?lang=en&id=156&document_ID=53 |title=The Lausanne Principle: Multiethnicity, Territory and the Future of Kosovo's Serbs |publisher=Esiweb.org |date=7 June 2004 |location=Berlin/Pristina |access-date=2008-10-25| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081206110352/http://www.esiweb.org/index.php?lang=en&id=156&document_ID=53| archive-date= 6 December 2008 | url-status= live))</ref>

In March 2004, there was a serious [[2004 unrest in Kosovo|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 claimed that three Kosovo Albanian boys had drowned after being chased into the [[Ibar (river)|Ibar River]] by a group of Kosovo Serbs. [[United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo|UNMIK]] peacekeepers and [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]] troops failed to contain a raging gun battle between Serbs and Albanians.<ref>((cite web|title=Fourteen dead as ethnic violence sweeps Kosovo|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/mar/18/balkans|website=theguardian.com|date=18 March 2004|access-date=17 March 2018))</ref> The Serbian Government called the events ''the March [[Pogrom]]''.<ref>((cite web |author1=The Government of the Republic of Serbia |title=The March Pogrom (2004) |url=https://www.srbija.gov.rs/kosovo-metohija/en/8923 |access-date=9 December 2019))</ref>

In 2005 the [[Switzerland|Swiss]] [[Federal Council (Switzerland)|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. <ref>((cite news|url=https://www.letemps.ch/monde/kosovo-honore-micheline-calmyrey|title=Le Kosovo honore Micheline Calmy-Rey|language=fr|newspaper=Le Temps|date=2 August 2017 |location=Geneva |access-date=2022-01-23))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/calmy-rey-defends-swiss-position-on-kosovo/4642490|title=Calmy-Rey defends Swiss position on Kosovo|publisher=Swissinfo|date=29 July 2005|location=Berne |access-date=2022-01-23))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=https://clubmadrid.org/who/members/calmy-rey-micheline/|title=Micheline Calmy-Rey|publisher=Club of Madrid|location=Madrid |access-date=2022-01-23))</ref>

International negotiations began in 2006 to determine the final status of Kosovo, as envisaged under [[UN Security Council Resolution 1244]] which ended the [[Kosovo War|Kosovo conflict]] of 1999. Serbia's continued sovereignty over Kosovo was recognised internationally. The vast majority of the province's population sought independence.

===Declaration of 2008–present===
[[File:Kosovo 2008.png|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 [[United Nations|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.<ref name=":0">((Cite web|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/p/eur/rls/fs/101244.htm|title=Summary of the Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement|website=2001-2009.state.gov|date=22 February 2008|access-date=2018-09-20))</ref> 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.<ref name=":1">((Cite web|url=http://www.unosek.org/docref/Comprehensive_proposal-english.pdf|title=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|date=26 March 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015082628/http://www.unosek.org/docref/Comprehensive_proposal-english.pdf|archive-date=15 October 2009|url-status=dead))</ref> 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 on the border with the [[Republic of North Macedonia]] border.<ref name=":1" /> 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]].<ref>((Cite web|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2007/february/79774.htm|title=Presentation of Kosovo Status Proposal to the Parties|last=McCormack|first=Sean|date=2 February 2007|website=2001-2009.state.gov|access-date=2018-09-20))</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" /> As of mid-April 2008, this has largely been 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 is to take 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 has also engaged, albeit with a delay, in the border demarcation talks with [[Republic of North Macedonia|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 [[Serbs in Kosovo|Kosovo Serbs]] vs. the [[Albanians in Kosovo|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.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-supervision-lifted|title=Era of Supervised Independence Ends in Kosovo|website=www.balkaninsight.com|date=11 September 2012))</ref> Nonetheless, as of November 2015, [[United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo]] still functions, albeit at a greatly reduced capacity.

==Political background==
((Main|Kosovo status process))
[[File:Kosovo ethnic 2005.png|right|thumb|Ethnic composition of Kosovo as of 2005]]

After the end of the [[Kosovo War]] in 1999, the [[United Nations Security Council]] adopted [[UN Security Council Resolution 1244|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.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2007/06/29/nb-07|title=Russia reportedly rejects fourth draft resolution on Kosovo status|publisher=SETimes.com| access-date= 9 August 2008 <!--DASHBot-->))</ref> Russia, which holds a veto in the Security Council as one of [[Permanent members of the United Nations Security Council|five permanent members]], stated that it would not support any resolution which was not acceptable to both Serbia and the Kosovo Albanians.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2007/07/10/nb-02|title=UN Security Council remains divided on Kosovo|publisher=SETimes.com| access-date= 9 August 2008 <!--DASHBot-->))</ref> 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.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/985caa90-de5a-11db-afa7-000b5df10621.html|title=A long reconciliation process is required|publisher=Financial Times| access-date= 9 August 2008 <!--DASHBot-->))</ref>

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.((Citation needed|date=May 2019)) This came at the time when the ten-year anniversary of the Kosovo War was looming (with the five-year anniversary being marked by [[2004 unrest in Kosovo|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 [[Presidency of the Council of the European Union|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 declaration of independence is shown in the Albanian language with an English translation below:
((Blockquote|"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."<br><br>
''"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]].<ref name="transcript of the vote - not just a show of hands, but a written record who voted and who was absent">((cite web | url=http://www.assembly-kosova.org/common/docs/proc/trans_s_2008_02_17_al.pdf | title=Transcript: NGA SEANCA PLENARE E JASHTËZAKONSHME SOLEMNE E KUVENDIT TË KOSOVËS ME RASTIN E SHPALLJES SË PAVARËSISË, TË MBAJTUR MË 17 SHKURT 2008 | publisher=Republika e Kosovës Kuvendi – Republika Kosova Skupština – Republic of Kosovo Assembly | work=Legjislatura III | location=[[Pristina]] | language=sq | date=2008-02-17 | access-date=2008-10-12 <!--DASHBot--> | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028212537/http://www.assembly-kosova.org/common/docs/proc/trans_s_2008_02_17_al.pdf | archive-date=2008-10-28 | url-status=dead ))</ref> 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.<ref name="bbc_proclaim">"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7249034.stm Kosovo MPs proclaim independence]", BBC News Online, 17 February 2008</ref> The original papyrus version of the declaration signed that day is in the Albanian language.<ref name="ReferenceA">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</ref> The Albanian text of the declaration is the sole authentic text.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

==International disputes==

===Legality of the declaration===
[[File:Kosovo stamp annulled by Serbia.jpg|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.<ref>((Cite web|url=http://www.parlament.gov.rs/content/cir/akta/akta_detalji.asp?Id=367&t=O|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128220902/http://www.parlament.gov.rs/content/cir/akta/akta_detalji.asp?Id=367&t=O|url-status=dead|title=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|archivedate=November 28, 2010))</ref>

According to writer [[Noel Malcolm]], the 1903 constitution was still in force at the time that Serbia annexed Kosovo<ref>World and Its Peoples, Marshall Cavendish, 2010, p 1985</ref><ref>Balkan Worlds, Traian Stoianovich, M.E. Sharpe, Sep 1, 1994, p 303,304</ref><ref>Central and South-Eastern Europe 2004, Europa Publications Psychology Press, 2003 – Political Science</ref> 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.<ref>((cite book|last=Malcolm|first=Noel|title=Kosovo: A Short History|year=1999|publisher=Harper Perennial|isbn=978-0-06-097775-7))</ref><ref>Perić, ''La question constitutionelle en Serbie'', Paris 1914</ref>((page needed|date=December 2013))

The [[Contact Group]] had issued in 2005 the Guiding Principles upon which the final status of Kosovo shall be decided.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.unosek.org/docref/Contact%20Group%20-%20Ten%20Guiding%20principles%20for%20Ahtisaari.pdf |title=Guiding principles of the Contact Group for a settlement of the status of Kosovo |publisher=www.unosek.org |date=2006-01-30 |access-date=2010-04-28 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009124429/http://www.unosek.org/docref/Contact%20Group%20-%20Ten%20Guiding%20principles%20for%20Ahtisaari.pdf |archive-date=2009-10-09 ))</ref>

===Precedent or special case===
((Main|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]].<ref name="catofeb"/><ref>((cite web|last=Friedman|first=George| title = Kosovar Independence and the Russian Reaction|publisher = [[Stratfor]]|date = 20 February 2008|url = http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/kosovar_independence_and_russian_reaction|access-date = 2008-09-10| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100307044349/http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/kosovar_independence_and_russian_reaction| archive-date=March 7, 2010| url-status= live))</ref>

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".<ref name="catofeb">((cite web|last=Galen Carpenter |first=Ted |title=Kosovo Independence Grenade |publisher=[[Cato Institute]] |date=22 February 2008 |url=http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=9238 |access-date=2008-09-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910045818/http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=9238 |archive-date=10 September 2008 |url-status=bot: unknown )) Archived by [[WebCite]] at .</ref>

===United Nations involvement===
((see also|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.<ref name="sdut150208">"[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</ref> Russia vowed to oppose Kosovo's independence with a "plan of retaliation".<ref name="sdut150208" /><ref>((cite news|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=95906 |title=Kosovo independence to open Pandora's box: Russia |publisher=International The News |location=MUNICH |date=February 12, 2008 |access-date=2008-10-25|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081206075507/http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=95906 |archive-date = December 6, 2008|url-status=dead))</ref> 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.<ref>((cite news | title = The Associated Press: Serbian President Vows Fight Over Kosovo | url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5juNm3C14Y4oWmhBjjfv41_OuYnXAD8UQRMOO1 | access-date = 2008-02-22 | year = 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080226103736/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5juNm3C14Y4oWmhBjjfv41_OuYnXAD8UQRMOO1 |archive-date = February 26, 2008|url-status=dead))</ref>

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.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?p1=3&p2=4&code=kos&case=141&k=21 |title=Accordance with International Law of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government of Kosovo (Request for Advisory Opinion) |publisher=Icj-cij.org |access-date=2010-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208141833/http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?p1=3&p2=4&code=kos&case=141&k=21 |archive-date=2014-02-08 |url-status=dead ))</ref> The court delivered its advisory opinion on ((Nowrap|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'."<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66L01720100722|last1=Tanner |first1=Adam |first2=Reed |last2=Stevenson|title=Kosovo independence declaration deemed legal|date=22 July 2010 |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=2010-08-03| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100729011833/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66L01720100722| archive-date= 29 July 2010 | url-status= live))</ref>

==Reactions to the declaration of independence==
((Main|International recognition of Kosovo))
[[File:CountriesRecognizingKosovo.svg|thumb|center|750px|Map of states that have [[International recognition of Kosovo|recognised Kosovo independence]] ((legend|#808080|Kosovo)) ((legend|#22B14C|States that formally recognise Kosovo)) ((legend|#BABAC2|States that do not recognise Kosovo))((legend|#C83737|States that recognized Kosovo and later withdrew that recognition))]]

===Reactions in Kosovo===

====Kosovo Albanians====
((Expand section|date=December 2009))
[[File:Newborn Pristina February 2013.jpg|right|thumb|350px|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.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=aNfjS6ZoAcXw&refer=uk|title=Kosovo Declares Independence, Seeks U.S., EU Backing|publisher=Bloomberg|date=2008-02-17|access-date=2008-02-17))</ref><ref name="Herald">((cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/17/europe/kosovo.php|title=Kosovo declares independence|publisher=International Herald Tribune Europe|date=2008-02-17|access-date=2008-02-17| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080217132115/http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/17/europe/kosovo.php| archive-date= 17 February 2008 | url-status= live))</ref><ref name="bbcdiveucel">((cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7249909.stm|title=Divided EU meets to debate Kosovo|work=BBC News|date=2008-02-17|access-date=2008-02-17| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080219222716/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7249909.stm| archive-date= 19 February 2008 | url-status= live))</ref>

====Kosovo Serbs====
((Main|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."<ref name="reuters alertnet">((cite news|url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/HAM738779.htm|title=Serb church urges state of war over Kosovo|publisher=Reuters AlertNet|date=2008-02-17|access-date=2008-02-26))</ref>

In [[Northern Kosovo|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.<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/17/europe/EU-GEN-Kosovo-Independence-Serbs.php|title=Explosion rocks UN building hours after Kosovo declares independence|publisher=International Herald Tribune|date=2008-02-17|access-date=2008-02-17| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080217142456/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/17/europe/EU-GEN-Kosovo-Independence-Serbs.php| archive-date= 17 February 2008 | url-status= live))</ref>

An explosive device was detonated in [[Mitrovica, Kosovo|Mitrovica]], damaging two vehicles. No casualties or injuries were reported.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.kosovapress.com/ks/index.php?cid=2,2,38841 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226051131/http://www.kosovapress.com/ks/index.php?cid=2,2,38841 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 February 2008 |title=BLAST IN THE COURTYARD OF THE DISTRICT COURT IN NORTHERN MITROVICA |publisher=Kosova Press |date=17 February 2008 |access-date=2008-10-25 ))</ref>

Serb protestors in Kosovo set fire to two border crossings on Kosovo's northern border. Both crossings are staffed by Kosovar and [[United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo|UNMIK]] police. No injuries were reported in the attacks, but the police withdrew until [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]] soldiers arrived.<ref>((cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7252874.stm|title=Kosovo Serbs burn border points|work=BBC News|date=19 February 2008|access-date=2008-02-19))</ref>

A Japanese journalist wearing a UN uniform was beaten by Serbs in northern Mitrovica.<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0221/p07s01-woeu.html|title=Serbs try to claim a piece of Kosovo|publisher=Christian Science Monitor|date=2008-02-21|access-date=2008-02-21| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080227235425/http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0221/p07s01-woeu.html| archive-date= 27 February 2008 | url-status= live))</ref>

Hundreds of Serbs protested in the Kosovo town of [[Kosovska Mitrovica|Mitrovica]] on 22 February, which was somewhat peaceful aside from some stone-throwing and a little fighting.<ref name="usevacuatebbc">((cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7259327.stm|title=US to evacuate staff from Serbia|work=BBC News|date=2008-02-22|access-date=2008-02-22| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080225132904/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7259327.stm| archive-date= 25 February 2008 | url-status= live))</ref>

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.<ref name="AP 2008-03-17">((cite news | first=Radul | last=Radovanovic | title=Peacekeepers battle Serbs in Kosovo | date=2008-03-17 | publisher=Yahoo News | url =https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080317/ap_on_re_eu/kosovo_serbs | agency =Associated Press | access-date = 2008-03-18 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080322011032/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080317/ap_on_re_eu/kosovo_serbs  |archive-date = 2008-03-22))</ref><ref name="BBC 2008-03-18">((cite news | title=UN officer dies after Kosovo riot | date=2008-03-18 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7300015.stm | work =BBC News | access-date = 2008-03-18 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080319040957/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7300015.stm| archive-date= 19 March 2008 | url-status= live))</ref>

The [[Community Assembly of Kosovo and Metohija]] first met on 28 June 2008, to coordinate Serb responses to the new government.

===Serbian reaction===
((Main|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,<ref name="Serbia action plan">((cite web|url=http://www.ekonomskitim.sr.gov.yu/et.php?str=novost_detalji&jez=eng&nov=1852 |title=PROTEST CONVEYED TO FRANCE, BRITAIN, COSTA RICA, AUSTRALIA, ALBANIA |access-date=2008-04-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408052805/http://www.ekonomskitim.sr.gov.yu/et.php?str=novost_detalji&jez=eng&nov=1852 |archive-date=2008-04-08 )) ''The economic team for Kosovo and Metohija and the South of Serbia'', 20 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-25.</ref> issuing arrest warrants for Kosovo leaders for high treason,<ref>((cite web|url=http://trebinjedanas.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2029On |title=Podnesena krivična prijava protiv Tačija, Sejdijua i Krasnićija |publisher=Trebinjedanas.com |access-date=2010-04-28))</ref> and even dissolving the government on grounds of lack of consensus to deal with Kosovo, with new elections scheduled for 11 May 2008,<ref>[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gfr72vt3X8HCz0cLInrmZBZgxkZAD8V9CGKO0 PM Dissolves Serbia's Government], AFP, 8 March 2008.((dead link|date=November 2012|bot=Legobot))</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080309174915/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2008%2F03%2F08%2Fwserbia108.xml Divisions over Kosovo cripple Serb government], The Daily Telegraph, 8 March 2008,</ref> as well as a rogue minister proposing partitioning [[Kosovo]] along ethnic lines,<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/24/europe/kosovo.php Serbia proposes dividing Kosovo along ethnic lines], International Herald Tribune, 25 March 2005.</ref> which initiative was shortly thereafter disavowed by the full Government, as well as the President.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/8857/ |title=Serb Ministers Deny Kosovo Partition Talks |publisher=Balkaninsight.com |access-date=2010-04-28|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090112172342/http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/8857/|archive-date=January 12, 2009 |url-status=dead))</ref> 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.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=03&dd=26&nav_id=48824 |title=Serbia to go to ICJ over Kosovo |publisher=B92 |date=2008-03-26 |access-date=2010-04-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607042447/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=03&dd=26&nav_id=48824 |archive-date=2011-06-07 ))</ref>

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."<ref name="reuters serb">((cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL1743063|title=Serbia condemns breakaway Kosovo as "false state"|publisher=Reuters|date=2008-02-17|access-date=2008-02-17| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080226115335/https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL1743063| archive-date= 26 February 2008 | url-status= live))</ref> [[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."<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23231570-5006003,00.html |title=Jubilation and hatred over Kosovo |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |date=2008-02-17 |access-date=2008-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229021934/http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0%2C22049%2C23231570-5006003%2C00.html |archive-date=29 February 2008 |url-status=dead ))</ref> However, the Serbian government says they will not respond with violence.<ref name="cnn150208">[http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/18/kosovo.independence/index.html U.S. recognizes independent Kosovo], CNN, 18 February 2008  ((webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218214830/http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/18/kosovo.independence/index.html |date=February 18, 2008 ))</ref>

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.<ref name="Herald"/> Protestors also broke windows of the embassy of [[Slovenia]], the state that controlled the EU presidency.<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.com/News/200802170255|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080226030059/http://www.dailymail.com/News/200802170255|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-02-26|title=Kosovo declares independence from Serbia; Russia protests, warning it will stir conflict|publisher=Charleston Daily Mail|date=2008-02-17|access-date=2008-02-17))</ref> In [[Belgrade]] and [[Novi Sad]], [[McDonald's]] restaurants were damaged by protestors.<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23231577-912,00.html|title=Serbian president rejects Kosovo independence declaration|publisher=Adelaide Now|date=2008-02-17|access-date=2008-02-17|first=Slobodan|last=Lekic|archive-date=9 December 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209135427/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/serbia-rejects-kosovo-move/story-e6frea8l-1111115578474|url-status=dead))</ref> The Serbian division of [[U.S. Steel]], based in [[Smederevo]], had a false bomb threat called in.<ref>((cite web | title = B92 – Vesti – Neredi u gradovima Srbije – Internet, Radio i TV stanica; najnovije vesti iz Srbije | url=http://xs4.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=19&nav_id=285477 | access-date = 2008-02-22 | year = 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080226051945/http://xs4.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=19&nav_id=285477 |archive-date = February 26, 2008|url-status=dead))</ref>

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 [[Benito Mussolini|Mussolini]] and [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler]] has finally been accomplished, in the territory of Serbia".<ref>((cite web | title = Saopstenje za stampu | url = http://www.royalfamily.org/statements/state-det/state-1817.htm | access-date = 2008-02-22 | year = 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080228010847/http://www.royalfamily.org/statements/state-det/state-1817.htm | archive-date = 28 February 2008 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all ))</ref>

On 21 February, there were [[Kosovo is Serbia protest|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.<ref name="yahoo 2/21">((cite news | url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080221/ap_on_re_eu/serbia_kosovo_independence | title= Belgrade's US Embassy set on fire | date=2008-02-21 | publisher=Associated Press/Yahoo News| access-date= 9 August 2008 <!--DASHBot-->))</ref> Police took 45&nbsp;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.<ref name="yahoo 2/21" />

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.<ref name="yahoo 2/21" />

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.<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN21520115|title=U.N. council condemns Belgrade embassy attacks|publisher=Reuters|date=2008-02-21|access-date=2008-02-21 | first=Patrick | last=Worsnip| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080225200937/https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN21520115| archive-date= 25 February 2008 | url-status= live))</ref>

On 22 February, the [[United States]] [[embassy]] in Serbia ordered the temporary [[Emergency evacuation|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 [[Agence France-Presse|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."<ref name="usevacuatebbc"/>

===Reactions in the former Yugoslavia===
On 23 February, 44 protesters were arrested after [[Flag desecration|burning the Serbian flag]], in the main square of [[Zagreb]] ([[Croatia]]), following Serb protesters attacking the Croatian embassy in [[Belgrade]], [[Serbia]].<ref name="croatia-arrests">((cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSL2248007720080222 |title=Croatia arrests 44 anti-Serb protesters |date=2008-02-22|access-date=2008-02-22|publisher=Reuters | first=Zoran | last=Radosavljevic| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080225173015/https://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSL2248007720080222| archive-date= 25 February 2008 | url-status= live))</ref>

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.<ref name=croatia-arrests />

In Montenegro, protests were held in [[Podgorica]] on 19 February. Protesters waved flags of the [[Serb People's Party (Montenegro)|Serb People's Party]] and the [[Serbian Radical Party]]. Serb parties led by the [[Serb List (2006)|Serb List]] are calling for a protest on 22 February to protest the independence bid.<ref>((cite web | title = BalkanInsight.com – Montenegro Students Protest | url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/8022/ | access-date = 2008-02-22 | year = 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080226052543/http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/8022/  |archive-date = 2008-02-26))</ref>

===International reaction===
((Main|International recognition of Kosovo))
Unlike the [[1990 Kosovo declaration of independence]], which only [[Albania]] recognised,<ref>Clark (2000), p. 92</ref> Kosovo's second declaration of independence has received 111 [[diplomatic recognition]]s. 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.<ref name="SMH190208">((cite news|url=http://news.smh.com.au/serbia-tipped-to-recall-ambassador/20080219-1svc.html |title=Serbia tipped to recall ambassador |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |first=Sandra |last=O'malley |date=2008-02-19 |access-date=9 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080429173028/http://news.smh.com.au/serbia-tipped-to-recall-ambassador/20080219-1svc.html |archive-date=29 April 2008 ))</ref> 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.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.rs/sr/index.php/diplomatsko-konzularna-predstavnistva/diplomatske-misije/ambasade?lang=lat|title=Ambasade Republike Srbije|trans-title=Embassies of the Republic of Serbia|publisher=Republic of Serbia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs|access-date=9 January 2015|archive-date=1 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101125443/http://www.mfa.gov.rs/sr/index.php/diplomatsko-konzularna-predstavnistva/diplomatske-misije/ambasade?lang=lat|url-status=dead))</ref>

====Reaction within the European Union====
[[File:Kosova independence Vienna 17-02-2008 b.jpg|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.<ref name="BBC1">((cite news | title=EU splits on Kosovo recognition | date=2008-02-18 | work=BBC News | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7249909.stm | access-date = 2008-02-19 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080219222716/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7249909.stm| archive-date= 19 February 2008 | url-status= live))</ref> 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 [[Basque nationalism|independence of the Basque Country]] and [[Catalan independence|Catalonia]].<ref>[http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/772560/l/catalunya/kosovo/independencia/ International Law Teacher from Catalonia argues that Catalonia or Basque Country and Kosovo cases are different.] (22/07)<br />[http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/772875/0/moratinos/independencia/kosovo/ Spanish Foreign Minister says Spain will not recognize Kosovo's independence, not even mentioning comparison to Basque Country or Catalonia] (23/07)<br />[http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/773759/0/ Basque Country politician (EB) states Court decision forces Spanish Government to recognize autodetemination rights] (23/07)<br />Previously in 2008: [http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/349987/0/azkarate/ibarretxe/kosovo/ Basque Government spokeswoman says Kosovo is an example to be followed] (17/022008)<br />[http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/350490/0/llamazares/kosovo/independencia/ Spanish opposition politician denies that cases can be compared] (18/02/2008).</ref>

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.<ref name="forbes"/>

====Outside the EU====
[[File:Kosovo Independence Celebration Car with Flags.jpg|thumb|left|upright|People celebrating Kosovo's declaration of independence in [[Lausanne]], [[Switzerland]], with their car holding the [[Flag of Switzerland|Swiss]], [[Flag of Albania|Albanian]], and [[Flag of the United States|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."<ref name="BBC reaction">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7249586.stm 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</ref>

[[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."<ref name="BBC reaction" />

In [[Tirana]], the capital of [[Albania]], '[[Kosovo Independence Day|Kosovo Day]]' was held as a celebration,<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=17&nav_id=47778 |title=Tirana celebrates "Kosovo Day" |publisher=[[B92]] |access-date=9 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219170555/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=17&nav_id=47778 |archive-date=19 February 2008 ))</ref> and a square in central Tirana was named for this occasion.<ref>((cite web |title=V E N D I M Nr. 13, datë 11.04.2008 PËR EMERTIMIN SHESHIT "PAVARESIA E KOSOVES" |url=https://tirana.al/uploads/2019/5/20190527155453_13-per-emertimin-sheshit-pavaresia.pdf |website=Tirana Municipality))</ref>

[[Turkey|Turkish]] [[Prime Minister of Turkey|Prime Minister]] [[Tayyip Erdoğan]] phoned [[Prime Minister of Kosovo|Prime Minister]] [[Hashim Thaçi]], commenting on the declaration of independence, and that it "will bring to [[Balkans]] peace and stability".<ref name="zaman">[http://www.zaman.com.tr/haber.do?haberno=653542 Ankara'dan Kosova'ya jest] ((webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080525070103/http://www.zaman.com.tr/haber.do?haberno=653542 |date=2008-05-25 )), Zaman Newspaper, 18 February 2008 (in [[Turkish language]])</ref>

The [[Taiwan|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."<ref>((cite news|url=http://news.monstersandcritics.com/asiapacific/news/article_1391616.php |title=Taiwan congratulates Kosovo on independence |date=2008-02-17 |access-date=2008-02-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307091157/http://news.monstersandcritics.com/asiapacific/news/article_1391616.php |archive-date=2012-03-07 ))</ref> 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".<ref>((cite web | title = Spokesman: Taiwan has no right to "recognize" Kosovo's independence | publisher = English [[Xinhua]]
| url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/18/content_7625025.htm | access-date = 2008-02-22 | year = 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080219155609/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/18/content_7625025.htm| archive-date= 19 February 2008 | url-status= dead))</ref>

Amongst [[Southeast Asia]]n 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,<ref>((cite web | title = The Jakarta Post – Malaysia's Islamic opposition drops theocracy from platform | url= http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailgeneral.asp?fileid=20080219125657&irec=13 | access-date = 2008-02-22 | year = 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080226051043/http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailgeneral.asp?fileid=20080219125657&irec=13  |archive-date = 2008-02-26))</ref> while the [[Philippines]] declared it will not oppose, nor support Kosovo's independence.<ref name="Philippine Daily Inquirer">((cite news|title=RP: Seek negotiated settlement to Kosovo independence row |publisher=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20080219-119821/RP-Seek-negotiated-settlement-to-Kosovo-independence-row |date=2008-02-19 |access-date=2008-02-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210055505/http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20080219-119821/RP-Seek-negotiated-settlement-to-Kosovo-independence-row |archive-date=2008-12-10 ))</ref><ref name="Philippine Star">((cite news|title=RP prefers negotiated settlement to Kosovo's independence declaration |publisher=[[Philippine Star]] |url=http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Local%20News&p=54&type=2&sec=2&aid=2008021929 |date=2008-02-19 |access-date=2008-02-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226020120/http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Local%20News&p=54&type=2&sec=2&aid=2008021929 |archive-date=February 26, 2008 ))</ref> Both countries face pressures from Muslim separatist movements within their territories, notably [[Aceh]] and southern [[Mindanao]] respectively. [[Vietnam]] expressed opposition,<ref>((cite news|title=Vietnam Says Against Kosovo Independence|publisher=Limun.hr|url= http://www.limun.hr/en/main.aspx?id=248819 |date=2008-02-17 |access-date=2008-02-28))</ref> while [[Singapore]] reported that it was still studying the situation.<ref>((cite news|url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/329558/1/.html |title=S'pore studying Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia |date=2008-02-18|access-date=2008-02-18 |publisher=[[Channel NewsAsia]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219111941/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/329558/1/.html|archive-date=2008-02-19))((dead link|date=June 2016))((cbignore))</ref> [[Malaysia]], which headed the [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation|Organisation of the Islamic Conference]] at the time, formally recognized Kosovo's sovereignty three days after its independence.<ref name="Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs">((cite web |url= http://www.kln.gov.my/?m_id=26&vid=607 |title=Press Release: KENYATAAN AKHBAR PERISYTIHARAN KEMERDEKAAN KOSOVO | language= ms |access-date=2008-02-21 |date=2008-02-20 |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia ))</ref>
[[File:Hashim Thaci Joe Biden Fatmir Sejdiu with Declaration of Independence of Kosovo.JPG|thumb|[[Hashim Thaçi]] and then U.S. Vice President [[Joe Biden]] with the Declaration of Independence of Kosovo.]]

[[Australia]]n [[Prime Minister of Australia|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."<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23231533-29277,00.html |title=Rudd backs independent Kosovo |date=2008-02-18 |access-date=2008-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206101335/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C23231533-29277%2C00.html |archive-date=December 6, 2008 |url-status=dead ))</ref> [[New Zealand]]'s Former [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Prime Minister]] [[Helen Clark]] said that New Zealand would neither recognise nor not recognise an independent Kosovo.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/4406032a6160.html|title=NZ on fence over Kosovo independence|date=2008-02-18|access-date=2008-02-19|archive-date=26 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226022840/http://www.stuff.co.nz/4406032a6160.html|url-status=dead))</ref> Pro-Independence rallies were held by ethnic Albanians in Canada in the days leading up to the declaration.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.kosovapress.com/ks/index.php?cid=2,2,38777 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226051126/http://www.kosovapress.com/ks/index.php?cid=2,2,38777 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 February 2008 |title=PRO-INDEPENDENCE RALLIES IN CANADA |publisher=Kosova press |access-date=9 August 2008 ))</ref>

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]].<ref>((cite web | title = The New Anatolian | url=http://www.thenewanatolian.com/tna-31302.html | access-date = 2008-02-22 | year = 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080226043221/http://www.thenewanatolian.com/tna-31302.html  |archive-date = 2008-02-26))</ref>

====United Nations====
Following a request from [[Russia]], the [[United Nations Security Council]] held an emergency session in the afternoon of 17 February 2008.<ref name="forbes">((cite news |title=UN Security Council to meet on Kosovo – diplomat UPDATE |url= https://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2008/02/17/afx4664520.html |agency=AFX News Limited |work=Forbes |date=2008-02-17 |access-date=2008-02-17 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080226063817/http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2008/02/17/afx4664520.html |archive-date = February 26, 2008|url-status=dead))</ref> 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."<ref>((cite news | title = Kosovo Declares Its Independence From Serbia – New York Times | url= https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/18/world/europe/18kosovo.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all | access-date = 2008-02-22 | work=The New York Times | first=Dan | last=Bilefsky | date=2008-02-18| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121110162647/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/18/world/europe/18kosovo.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all| archive-date=November 10, 2012| url-status= live))</ref> 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."<ref>((cite news | title = Albanian celebrations leave Serbs defiant| work= The Guardian | url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/feb/18/kosovo.serbia1 | access-date = 2008-02-22 | location=London | first=Julian | last=Borger | date=2008-02-18| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080220015717/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/18/kosovo.serbia1| archive-date= 20 February 2008 | url-status= live))</ref>

===ICJ ruling===
((Main|Advisory opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence))

On 22 July 2010, the [[International Court of Justice]] [[Advisory opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence#Verdict|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 for the Provisional Self-Government of Kosovo|Constitutional Framework]] (promulgated by [[United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo|UNMIK]]) or by [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244|UNSCR1244]] that is addressed only to [[United Nations Member States]] and [[Organs of United Nations|organs of the United Nations]].<ref name="ICJ"/> 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."<ref>((cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/07/201072232633925457.html |title=ICJ rules on Kosovo statehood – Europe |publisher=Al Jazeera English |access-date=2010-07-24| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100723170527/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/07/201072232633925457.html| archive-date= 23 July 2010 | url-status= live))</ref>

==See also==
* [[Foreign relations of Kosovo]]
* [[Kosovo Independence Day]]
* [[List of states with limited recognition]]
* [[Political status of Kosovo]]
* [[International recognition of Kosovo]]

==References==
((reflist|2))

==Further reading==
*Fierstein, Daniel. "Kosovo's Declaration of Independence: An Incident Analysis of Legality, Policy and Future Implications." BU Int'l LJ 26 (2008): 417.
*Jovanovic, Milos. "Recognition of Kosovo independence as a violation of international law." Annals Fac. L. Belgrade Int'l Ed. 3 (2008): 108.
*Warbrick, Colin. "I. Kosovo: The Declaration of Independence." International and Comparative Law Quarterly 57.03 (2008): 675–690.
*Orakhelashvili, Alexander. "Statehood, recognition and the United Nations system: a unilateral declaration of independence in Kosovo." Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law 12.1 (2008).
*Vidmar, Jure. "International Legal Responses to Kosovo's Declaration of Independence." Vand. J. Transnat'l L. 42 (2009): 779.

==External links==
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/countryprofiles/kosovo BBC profile]((dead link|date=September 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes ))
* [http://www.assembly-kosova.org/?krye=news&newsid=1635&lang=en Assembly of Kosovo: Kosovo Declaration of Independence], Pristina, 17 February 2008.
* [http://www.kosovothanksyou.com/ Kosovo Thanks You Portal]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110814093520/http://www.kosovo-young.com/ Kosovo Young Europeans Campaign]
* [http://www.kosovocompromise.com/ Kosovo Compromise Portal]
* [http://www.sofiaecho.com/article/kosovo--a-timeline-of-independence/id_27620/catid_66 Kosovo – a timeline of independence], Feb 17, 2008, [[The Sofia Echo]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080318150736/http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=99123 Kosovo, a testing ground for giants], 17 March 2008, [[Turkish Daily News]]

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((DEFAULTSORT:2008 Kosovo Declaration Of Independence))

[[Category:Independence of Kosovo|*]]
[[Category:Declarations of independence|Kosovo]]
[[Category:2008 in Kosovo|Declaration of independence]]
[[Category:History of the Republic of Kosovo]]
[[Category:February 2008 events in Europe]]

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