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| {{mergefrom|Kosovo}} | {{mergefrom|Kosovo}} | ||
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| :''This article is about the declared state in the Balkans. See ] for the geographical region. For other uses, see ].'' | |||
| {{redirect|Republic of Kosova||Republic of Kosova (1990–2000)}} | |||
| {{Infobox Country | |||
| |native_name = {{nowrap|{{lang|sq|'''''Republika e Kosovës'''''}}<br>{{lang|sr-Cyrl|Република Косово}} / {{lang|sr-Latn|''Republika Kosovo''}}}} | |||
| |conventional_long_name = Republic of Kosovo | |||
| |common_name = Kosovo | |||
| |image_flag = Flag of Kosovo.svg | |||
| |image_coat = Coat_of_arms_of_Kosovo.svg<!-- Avoid changing this,it has a reliable source: http://www.kosovapress.com/ks/repository/images/stema_kosoves_thmb.jpg --> | |||
| |image_map = Europe location KOS.png | |||
| |map_caption = Location of Kosovo in ] | |||
| |national_motto = | |||
| |national_anthem = <!-- '']''{{Fact|date=February 2008}} --><!-- I have hidden this, as it has no source. Please only restore this when there's a reliable source confirming that this is the anthem of Kosovo. --> | |||
| |official_languages = ], ] | |||
| |regional_languages = ], ], ], ] | |||
| |ethnic_groups = 92% ]<br/>{{spaces|2}}5.3% ]<br/>{{spaces|2}}2.7% others <ref></ref> | |||
| |ethnic_groups_year = 2007 | |||
| |capital = {{nowrap|]}}<!-- | |||
| PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE CAPITAL'S NAME! Per talkpage, we currently use Pristina, not Prishtina or Priština. | |||
| --> | |||
| |latd=42 |latm=40 |latNS=N |longd=21 |longm=10 |longEW=E | |||
| |largest_city = capital | |||
| |demonym = Kosovar | |||
| |government_type = ] | |||
| |leader_title1 = Special Representative of the Secretary-General | |||
| |leader_name1 = ] | |||
| |leader_title2 = ] | |||
| |leader_name2 = ] (]) | |||
| |leader_title3 = ] | |||
| |leader_name3 = ] (]) | |||
| |sovereignty_type = ]{{smallsup|1}} | |||
| |sovereignty_note = from ] | |||
| |established_event1 = ] | |||
| |established_date1 = ] ] | |||
| |established_event2 = ] | |||
| |established_date2 = by 22 countries <ref>{{cite news|author=] ]|title=U.S. Recognizes Kosovo as Independent State|publisher=]|url=http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2008/02/100973.htm|date=]|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Britain, France recognise Kosovo|publisher=]|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jvieojQfAH0lC-MNOQEfGdVlX1XAD8USR0K01|date=]|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref><ref name="nytimes u.s. france">{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Castle|title=Kosovo is Recognised by U.S., France and Britain|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/19/world/europe/19kosovo.html?ref=world|date=]|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref> | |||
| |area_rank = 166 | |||
| |area_magnitude = 1 E10 | |||
| |area_km2 = 10,887 | |||
| |area_sq_mi = 4,203 | |||
| |percent_water = n/a | |||
| |population_estimate = 1,900,000<ref>See: , Kosovo’s population estimates range from 1.9 to 2.4 million. The last two population census conducted in 1981 and 1991 estimated Kosovo’s population at 1.6 and 1.9 million respectively, but the 1991 census probably undercounted Albanians. The latest estimate in 2001 by OSCE puts the number at 2.4 Million. The World Factbook gives an estimate of 2,126,708 for the year 2007 (see {{CIA_World_Factbook_link|kv|Kosovo}}).</ref> | |||
| |population_estimate_rank = 141 | |||
| |population_estimate_year = 2007 | |||
| |population_census = 1,956,196{{smallsup|3}} | |||
| |population_census_year = 1991 | |||
| |population_density_km2 = 220 | |||
| |population_density_sq_mi = 500 | |||
| |population_density_rank = 55 | |||
| |currency = ] (€){{smallsup|2}} | |||
| |currency_code = EUR | |||
| |time_zone = ] | |||
| |utc_offset = +1 | |||
| |time_zone_DST = ] | |||
| |utc_offset_DST = +2 | |||
| |cctld = ''None assigned'' | |||
| |calling_code = 381 | |||
| |footnote1 = ] | |||
| |footnote2 = Unilaterally adopted. Kosovo is not a member of the ]. | |||
| |footnote3 = The census is a reconstruction; most of the ethnic Albanian majority boycotted. | |||
| }} | |||
| The '''Republic of Kosovo''' ({{lang-sq|Republika e Kosovës}}, {{lang-sr|Република Косово}}) is a ] state in the ] of the ]. | |||
| It presently remains under the '']'' control of the ] and protection of the ]'s ]. | |||
| Kosovo has a population of about two million people, predominantly ethnic ], with smaller populations of ], ], ]s, ], ] and other ethnic communities. ] is the capital and largest city. Kosovo is ], bordering ] to the west, ] to the southwest, the ] to the south and ] to the north and east. | |||
| Following the ] in 1999, ] ] ] placed Kosovo under the authority of the UNMIK, with security provided by the ]-led ] (KFOR), and legally reaffirmed Serbia's ] over the region and committed the UN Member States to its territorial integrity. After ] failed to reach a consensus on an acceptable ], ] unilaterally ] from ] on ] ]<ref></ref> and received ] as a ] (notably from the ], the ], ], ], ], ], and ]). As of February 29th, 2008, 22 states ] the Republic of Kosovo while at least another 13 have ] at a later date.<!-- Removed {{Fact|date=February 2008}}, as references given on linked ] article --> | |||
| Kosovo's unilateral ] is disputed by ], ], ] and 18 other nations. The official position of these countries is that Kosovo is a Serbian province under ad interim ] control, formally known as ] ({{lang-sr|Аутономна покрајина Косово и Метохија}}, ''Autonomna pokrajina Kosovo i Metohija'', also Космет, ''Kosmet''; {{lang-sq|Krahina Autonome e Kosovës}}). Other countries, including the ], have called for further negotiations or have stated they have made no decision yet. | |||
| == History == | |||
| {{main|History of Kosovo|20th century history of Kosovo}} | |||
| === Breakup of Yugoslavia and the Kosovo War=== | |||
| {{main|Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija (1990-1999)|Republic of Kosova (1990–2000)|Kosovo War}} | |||
| Inter-ethnic tensions in Kosovo worsened dramatically throughout the 1980s. | |||
| The 1986 ] warned that Yugoslavia was suffering from ethnic strife and the disintegration of the Yugoslav economy into separate economic sectors and territories, which was transforming the federal state into a loose confederation.<ref>SANU (1986): . GIP Kultura. Belgrade.</ref> | |||
| On June 28, 1989, Milošević delivered ] in front of a large number of Serb citizens at the main celebration marking the 600th anniversary of the ], held at ]. Many think that this speech helped Milošević consolidate his authority in Serbia.<ref>''The Economist'', June 05, 1999, U.S. Edition, 1041 words, "What's next for Slobodan Milošević?"</ref> | |||
| In 1989, Milošević, employing a mix of intimidation and political maneuvering, drastically reduced Kosovo's special autonomous status within Serbia. Soon thereafter Kosovo Albanians organized a non-violent separatist movement, employing widespread civil disobedience, with the ultimate goal of achieving the independence of Kosovo. On ] ], an unconstitutional Kosovo parliament declared Kosovo an independent country, the ''Republic of Kosova''. The Republic of Kosova was formally disbanded in 2000 when its institutions were replaced by the ] established by the ] (UNMIK). During its lifetime, the Republic of Kosova was only recognized by ]. | |||
| The ] was a conflict between ] and ] security forces and the ] (KLA), an ethnic ] guerrilla group and a terrorist organisation, supported by ]seeking secession from the former Yugoslavia. In 1998 western interest increased and the Serbian authorities were forced to sign a unilateral cease-fire and partial retreat. Under an agreement devised by ], ] observers moved into Kosovo to monitor the ceasefire, while Yugoslav military forces partly pulled out of Kosovo. However, the ceasefire was systematically broken shortly thereafter by KLA forces, which again provoked harsh counterattacks by the Serbs. | |||
| ] between ] and ] ],<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.nato.int/kosovo/all-frce.htm|title=Operation Allied Force|publisher=]}}</ref> combined with continued skirmishes between Albanian guerrillas and Yugoslav forces resulted in a massive displacement of population in Kosovo.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.unhcr.org/partners/PARTNERS/3bb051c54.pdf|title=NATO and Humanitarian Action in the Kosovo Crisis|author=Larry Minear, Ted van Baarda, Marc Sommers|year=2000|publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| During the conflict roughly a million ethnic Albanians fled or were forcefully driven from Kosovo, several thousand were killed (the numbers and the ethnic distribution of the casualties are uncertain and highly disputed).<ref name="observer2">{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2000/apr/16/balkans| title=Rape victims' babies pay the price of war| work=The Observer| publisher=Guardian News and Media| date=2000-04-16| accessdate=2008-02-24}}</ref> Some 3,000 people are still missing, of which 2,500 are Albanian, 400 Serbs and 100 Roma.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/781310.stm |title=3,000 missing in Kosovo |author=KiM Info-Service |date=07/06/00}}</ref> | |||
| === UNMIK === | |||
| {{main|Kosovo (UNMIK)|Kosovo status process}} | |||
| After the war ended, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1244 that placed Kosovo under transitional UN administration (]) and authorized ], a NATO-led peacekeeping force. Resolution 1244 also delivered that Kosovo will have autonomy within Federal Republic of Yugoslavia<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=RESOLUTION 1244 (1999) | date=] | publisher=BBC News | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/371562.stm | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-02-19 | language = }}</ref> (today legal successor of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is Republic of Serbia). | |||
| Some 200,000-280,000, representing the vast majority of the Serb population, left when the Serbian forces left. There was also some looting of Serb properties and even violence against some of those Serbs and Roma who remained.<ref>" ", report by ], ] Commissioner for Human Rights, Strasbourg, October 16, 2002, p. 30.</ref> The current number of ]s is disputed,<ref>], Critical Appraisal of Responsee Mechanisms Operating in Kosovo for Minority Returns, Pristina, February 2004, p. 14.</ref><ref>U.S. Committee for Refugees (USCR), April 2000, Reversal of Fortune: Yugoslavia's Refugees Crisis Since the Ethnic Albanian Return to Kosovo, p. 2-3.</ref><ref>" ", report by ], ] Commissioner for Human Rights, Strasbourg, October 16, 2002.</ref><ref>International Relations and Security Network (ISN): , by Tim Judah, June 7, 2004.</ref> with estimates ranging from 65,000<ref>European Stability Initiative (ESI): , June 7, 2004.</ref> to 250,000<ref>Coordinating Centre of Serbia for Kosovo-Metohija: .</ref><ref>]: 2002 Annual Statistical Report: Serbia and Montenegro, pg. 9</ref><ref>] (USCRI): .</ref>. Many displaced Serbs are afraid to return to their homes, even with ] protection. Around 120,000-150,000 Serbs remain in Kosovo, but are subject to ongoing harassment and discrimination. According to Amnesty International, the aftermarth of the war resulted in an increase in the ] for sexual exploitation.<ref>, ].</ref><ref>, ].</ref><ref>, ].</ref> | |||
| In 2001, UNMIK promulgated a Constitutional Framework for Kosovo that established the ] (PISG), including an elected Kosovo Assembly, Presidency and office of Prime Minister. Kosovo held its first free, Kosovo-wide elections in late 2001 (municipal elections had been held the previous year). | |||
| In March 2004, Kosovo experienced its worst inter-ethnic violence since the Kosovo War. The ] was sparked by a series of minor events that soon cascaded into large-scale riots.<ref>U.S State Department Report, published in 2007.</ref> | |||
| International negotiations began in 2006 to determine the final status of Kosovo, as envisaged under ]. The ]-backed talks, lead by UN Special Envoy ], began in February 2006. Whilst progress was made on technical matters, both parties remained diametrically opposed on the question of status itself.<ref>" ", ''BBC News'', October 9, 2006.</ref> | |||
| In February 2007, Ahtisaari delivered a draft status settlement proposal to leaders in Belgrade and Pristina, the basis for a draft UN Security Council Resolution which proposes 'supervised independence' for the province. A draft resolution, backed by the ], the ] and other European members of the ], was presented and rewritten four times to try to accommodate Russian concerns that such a resolution would undermine the principle of state sovereignty.<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 |author=Southeast European Times |date=29/06/2007}}</ref> Russia, which holds a veto in the Security Council as one of five permanent members, had stated that it would not support any resolution which was not acceptable to both Belgrade and 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 |author=Southeast European Times |date=09/07/07}}</ref> Whilst most observers had, at the beginning of the talks, anticipated independence as the most likely outcome, others have suggested that a rapid resolution might not be preferable.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/985caa90-de5a-11db-afa7-000b5df10621.html?nclick_check=1 |title=A long reconciliation process is required |author=James Dancer |date=30/03/07 |publisher=Financial Times}}</ref> | |||
| After many weeks of discussions at the UN, the ], ] and other European members of the Security Council formally 'discarded' a draft resolution backing Ahtisaari's proposal on ] ], having failed to secure Russian backing. Beginning in August, a "]" consisting of negotiators from the ] (Wolfgang Ischinger), the ] (Frank Wisner) and ] (Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko) launched a new effort to reach a status outcome acceptable to both Belgrade and Pristina. Despite Russian disapproval, the ], the ], and ] appeared likely to recognize Kosovar independence<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2209907,00.html |title=Bosnian nightmare returns to haunt EU |author=Simon Tisdall |date=13/11/07 |publisher=The Guardian}}</ref>. A declaration of independence by Kosovar Albanian leaders was postponed until the end of the Serbian presidential elections (4 February 2008). Most EU members and the US had feared that a premature declaration could boost support in Serbia for the ultra-nationalist candidate, Tomislav Nikolic.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6386467.stm</ref> | |||
| ===Declaration of Independence=== | |||
| {{main|2008 Kosovo declaration of independence|International reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence}} | |||
| The ] approved a declaration of independence on ] ].<ref name="bbc_proclaim">"", BBC News Online, ] ]</ref> Over the following days, several countries (the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ] (Taiwan)<ref>http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/02/20/2003402059</ref>, ] and others) announced their recognition, despite protests by ] in the ].<ref name="bbc=recog1">"", BBC News Online, ] ]</ref> | |||
| The UN Security Council remains divided on the question (as of 25 February 2008). Of the five members with ], three (USA, UK, France) recognize the declaration of independence, and two (] and ]) consider it illegal. | |||
| The ] has no official position towards Kosovo's status, but has decided to deploy the ] to ensure a continuation of international civil presence in Kosovo. | |||
| Of Kosovo's immediate neighbour states (other than Serbia), ] recognizes the declaration of independence, ] announced they will likely recognize it within "a few weeks" and ] stated they will wait for a decision of the European Union. | |||
| {{International recognition of the Republic of Kosovo}} | |||
| == Geography == | |||
| {{main|Geography of Kosovo}} | |||
| ] | |||
| Kosovo has an area of 10,887 ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kosovo-mining.org/kosovoweb/en/home.html |title=Welcome to the Independent Commission for Mines and Minerals (ICMM), Kosovo |author=Independent Commission for Mines and Minerals}}</ref> (4,203 ]) and a population of about 2.2 million. The largest cities are ], the capital, with an estimated 170,000 inhabitants, ] in the south west with a population of 110,000, ] in the west with 70,000, and ] in the north with 70,000. | |||
| The climate in Kosovo is continental, with warm summers and cold and snowy winters. There are two main plains in Kosovo. The ] basin is located in the western part of the Kosovo, and the Plain of Kosovo occupies the eastern part. | |||
| Much of Kosovo's terrain is mountainous. The ] are located in the south and south-east, bordering the ]. This is one of the region's most popular tourist and skiing resorts, with ] and Prevalac as the main tourist centers. Kosovo's mountainous area, including the highest peak ], at 2656 m above sea level, is located in the south-west, bordering Montenegro and Albania. | |||
| The ] mountains are located in the north. The central region of ], ] and the eastern part of Kosovo, known as ], are mainly hilly areas. There are several notable rivers and lakes in Kosovo. The main rivers are the ], running towards the ], with the ] among its ]), the ], the ] in the Goljak area, and ] in the north. The main lakes are Gazivoda (380 million m³) in the north-western part, Radonjić (113 million m³) in the south-west part, Batlava (40 million m³) and Badovac (26 million m³) in the north-east part. | |||
| ]]] | |||
| ] | |||
| List of largest cities in Kosovo (with population figures for ]):<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citypopulation.de/Kosovo.html |title=Kosovo |author=City Population}}</ref> | |||
| *] (Prishtina): 165,844 | |||
| *] : 107,614 | |||
| *] (Ferizaj) : 71,758 | |||
| *] : 68,929 | |||
| *] (Gjakova) : 68,645 | |||
| *] (Peja) : 68,551 | |||
| *] (Gjilan): 55,781 | |||
| *] (Vushtrri) : 39,642 | |||
| *] : 37,203 | |||
| ==Politics and governance== | |||
| {{main|Politics of Kosovo}} | |||
| {{seealso|United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo|Provisional Institutions of Self-Government}} | |||
| {{Politics of Kosovo}} | |||
| In 1999, ] placed Kosovo under transitional UN administration pending a determination of Kosovo's future status. This Resolution entrusted the ] (UNMIK) with sweeping powers to govern Kosovo, but also directed UNMIK to establish interim institutions of self-governance. Resolution 1244 permits Serbia no role in governing Kosovo and since 1999 Serbian laws and institutions have not been valid in Kosovo. NATO has a separate mandate to provide for a safe and secure environment. | |||
| In May 2001, UNMIK promulgated the Constitutional Framework, which established Kosovo's ] (PISG). The PISG replaced the ] (JIAS) established a year earlier. Since 2001, UNMIK has been gradually transferring increased governing competencies to the PISG, while reserving some powers that are normally carried out by sovereign states, such as foreign affairs. Kosovo has also established municipal government and an internationally-supervised Kosovo Police Service. | |||
| According to the Constitutional Framework, Kosovo shall have a 120-member Kosovo Assembly. The Assembly includes twenty reserved seats: ten for Kosovo Serbs and ten for non-Serb minorities (Bosniaks, Roma, etc). The Kosovo Assembly is responsible for electing a President and Prime Minister of Kosovo. | |||
| The largest political party in Kosovo, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), has its origins in the 1990s non-violent resistance movement to Miloševic's rule. The party was led by Ibrahim Rugova until his death in 2006. The two next largest parties have their roots in the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA): the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) led by former KLA leader Hashim Thaci and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) led by former KLA commander Ramush Haradinaj. Kosovo publisher Veton Surroi formed his own political party in 2004 named "Ora." Kosovo Serbs formed the Serb List for Kosovo and Metohija (SLKM) in 2004, but have boycotted Kosovo's institutions and never taken their seats in the Kosovo Assembly. | |||
| In November 2001, the ] supervised the first elections for the Kosovo Assembly. After that election, Kosovo's political parties formed an all-party unity coalition and elected ] as President and Bajram Rexhepi (PDK) as Prime Minister. | |||
| After Kosovo-wide elections in October 2004, the LDK and AAK formed a new governing coalition that did not include PDK and Ora. This coalition agreement resulted in ] (AAK) becoming Prime Minister, while Ibrahim Rugova retained the position of President. PDK and Ora were critical of the coalition agreement and have since frequently accused the current government of corruption. | |||
| ] of the ]]] | |||
| Ramush Haradinaj resigned the post of Prime Minister after he was indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in March 2005. He was replaced by Bajram Kosumi (AAK). But in a political shake-up after the death of President Rugova in January 2006, Kosumi himself was replaced by former Kosovo Protection Corps commander ]. Ceku has won recognition for his outreach to minorities, but Serbia has been critical of his wartime past as military leader of the KLA and claims he is still not doing enough for Kosovo Serbs. The Kosovo Assembly elected ], a former LDK parliamentarian, president after Rugova's death. Slaviša Petkovic, Minister for Communities and Returns, was previously the only ethnic Serb in the government, but resigned in November 2006 amid allegations that he misused ministry funds.<ref>" ", Adnkronos international (AKI), November 27, 2006</ref><ref>" ", Agence France-Presse (AFP), November 24, 2006.</ref> Today two of the total thirteen ministries in Kosovo's Government have ministers from the minorities. Branislav Grbic, ethnic Serb, leads Minister of Returns and Sadik Idriz, ethnic Bosnjak, leads Ministry of Health<ref></ref> | |||
| ] were held on ] ]. After early results, ] who was on course to gain 35 per cent of the vote, claimed victory for PDK, the ], and stated his intention to declare independence. Thaci is likely to form a coalition with current ]'s ] which was in second place with 22 percent of the vote. The turnout at the election was particularly low with most Serbs refusing to vote.<ref>. Retrieved 18 November 2007.</ref> | |||
| == Health == | |||
| Access to health care is free for all residents of Kosovo. Currently there is no health insurance, however, the Ministry of Health is in the process of preparing a legislative infrastructure, which is scheduled to be implemented in 2008. | |||
| There are hospitals in all major cities. A total of 6 regional hospitals provide tertiary health care, and family centers in small municipalities. | |||
| Medical Education is available at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo (UCCK), in Pristina. | |||
| == Economy == | |||
| {{main|Economy of Kosovo}} | |||
| Kosovo has one of the most under-developed economies in Europe, with a per capita income estimated at ]1,565 (2004).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/ECAEXT/KOSOVOEXTN/0,,contentMDK:20629286~menuPK:297777~pagePK:1497618~piPK:217854~theSitePK:297770,00.html |title=Kosovo Brief 2006 |author=The World Bank |date=2006}}</ref> Despite substantial development subsidies from all Yugoslav republics, Kosovo was the poorest province of Yugoslavia.<ref>Christian Science Monitor 1982-01-15, "Why Turbulent Kosovo has Marble Sidewalks but Troubled Industries"</ref> Additionally, over the course of the 1990s a blend of poor economic policies, international sanctions, poor external commerce and ethnic conflict severely damaged the economy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/ECAEXT/KOSOVOEXTN/0,,menuPK:297775~pagePK:141159~piPK:141110~theSitePK:297770,00.html |title=World Bank Mission in Kosovo |author=The World Bank |date=2006/2007}}</ref> | |||
| Kosovo's economy remains weak. After a jump in 2000 and 2001, growth in ] (GDP) was negative in 2002 and 2003 and is expected to be around 3 percent 2004-2005, with domestic sources of growth unable to compensate for the declining foreign assistance. ] is low, while the budget posted a deficit for the first time in 2004. Kosovo has high external deficits. In 2004, the deficit of the balance of goods and services was close to 70 percent of GDP. Remittances from Kosovars living abroad accounts for an estimated 13 percent of GDP, and foreign assistance for around 34 percent of GDP. | |||
| Most economic development since 1999 has taken place in the trade, retail and the construction sectors. The private sector that has emerged since 1999 is mainly small-scale. The industrial sector remains weak and the electric power supply remains unreliable, acting as a key constraint. Unemployment remains pervasive, at around 40-50% of the labor force.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eciks.org/english/lajme.php?action=total_news&main_id=386 |title=May finds Kosovo with 50% unemployed |author=eciks |date=04/05/06}}</ref> | |||
| UNMIK introduced ''de-facto'' an external trade regime and customs administration on ], ] when it set customs border controls in Kosovo. All goods imported in Kosovo face a flat 10% customs duty fee.<ref name="BuyUSA">{{cite web |url=http://www.buyusa.gov/kosovo/en/doingbusinessinkosovo.html |title=Doing Business in Kosovo |author=U.S. Commercial Service}}</ref> These taxes are collected from all Tax Collection Points installed at the borders of Kosovo, including those between Kosovo and Serbia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seerecon.org/kosovo/documents/wb_econ_report/wb-kosovo-econreport-2-2.pdf |format=PDF |title=External Trade and Customs |author=Economic Reconstruction and Development in South East Europe}}</ref> UNMIK and Kosovo institutions have signed Free Trade Agreements with ],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/globe-article.php?yyyy=2006&mm=10&dd=02&nav_category=123&nav_id=37090 |title=Croatia, Kosovo sign Interim Free Trade Agreement |author=B92 |authorlink=B92 |date=02/10/06 |publisher=mrt.com}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.euinkosovo.org/upload_press/4.06%20-%20UNMIK%20and%20Bosnia%20and%20Herzegovina%20Initial%20Free%20Trade%20Agreement%2017.2.06.pdf |format=PDF |title=UNMIK and Bosnia and Herzegovina Initial Free Trade Agreement |author=EU in Kosovo |date=17/02/06 |publisher=UNMIK}}</ref> ] and ].<ref name="BuyUSA"/> | |||
| The ] is Kosovo's largest import and export market (averaging €220 million and €9 million, respectively), followed by Serbia-Montenegro (€111 million and €5 million), Germany and Turkey.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTKOSOVO/147270-1121700806276/20953280/Kosovo_Economic_Briefing_april.pdf |format=PDF |title=Kosovo Monthly Economic Briefing: Preparing for next winter |author=The World Bank |date=April 2006}}</ref> | |||
| The ] is the official currency of Kosovo and used by UNMIK and the government bodies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.euinkosovo.org/uk/invest/invest.php |title=Invest in Kosovo |author=EU in Kosovo}}</ref> The ] is used in the Serbian-populated parts. | |||
| The economy is hindered by Kosovo's still-unresolved international status, which has made it difficult to attract investment and loans.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4509781.stm |title=Brussels offers first Kosovo loan |author=BBC News |date=03/05/05}}</ref> The province's economic weakness has produced a thriving black economy in which smuggled petrol, cigarettes and cement are major commodities. The prevalence of official corruption and the pervasive influence of organised crime gangs has caused serious concern internationally. The United Nations has made the fight against corruption and organised crime a high priority, pledging a "zero tolerance" approach. | |||
| == Demographics == | |||
| {{main|Demographics of Kosovo}} | |||
| ] according to the ]]] | |||
| According to the Kosovo in Figures 2005 Survey of the Statistical Office of Kosovo,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ks-gov.net/esk/esk/pdf/english/general/kosovo_figures_05.pdf |format=PDF |title=Kosovo in figures 2005 |author=UNMIK |publisher=Ministry of Public Services}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4385768.stm |title=Muslims in Europe: Country guide |author=BBC News |date=23/12/05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/3524092.stm |title=Regions and territories: Kosovo |author=BBC News |date=20/11/07}}</ref> Kosovo's total population is estimated between 1.9 and 2.2 million in the following ethnic proportions: | |||
| * 92% ] | |||
| * 4% ] | |||
| * 2% ] and ] | |||
| * 1% ] | |||
| * 1% ] | |||
| ] (mostly ], with a ] minority) is the predominant ], professed by most of the majority ethnic Albanian population, the Bosniak, Gorani, and Turkish communities, and some of the Roma/]/] community. The Serb population, estimated at 100,000 to 120,000 persons, is largely ]. Approximately 3 percent of ethnic Albanians are ]. Catholic communities are concentrated around Catholic churches in ], ], and ]. ]s make up less than 1 percent of the population and have small populations in most cities, with the largest concentration located in Pristina. There are no synagogues or ] institutions; there are reportedly two families whose members have Jewish roots. The number of ]s or those who do not practice any religion are difficult to determine, and estimates are largely unreliable. | |||
| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=1591&l=1 |title=Religion in Kosovo |author=International Crisis Group |date=31/01/01}}</ref><ref></ref><ref></ref> | |||
| Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo have the largest population growth in Europe.<ref></ref><ref></ref> The people’s growth rate in Kosovo is 1.3%. Over an 82-year period (1921-2003) the population grew 4.6 times. If growth continues at such a pace, based on some estimations, the population will be 4.5 million by 2050.<ref></ref> | |||
| In ] to ] period, Serb population on Kosovo incresed for 12% (3 times less than in Serbia), while Albanian population increased for 300% in the same time period. | |||
| == Administrative divisions == | |||
| {{main|Subdivisions of Kosovo}} | |||
| {{see also|Municipalities of Kosovo}} | |||
| Kosovo, for administrative reasons, is considered as consisting of seven districts. | |||
| ] maintains its own government, infrastructure and institutions by its dominant ethnic ] population in the ], viz. in the ], ] and ] municipalities and the northern part of ]. | |||
| Kosovo is also divided into 30 municipalities : | |||
| {{Municipalities of Kosovo}} | |||
| == Culture == | |||
| ===Music=== | |||
| {{main|Music of Kosovo}} | |||
| {{see|Music of Serbia}} | |||
| Although in Kosovo the music is diverse (influenced to an extent by the cultures of the various regimes who controlled the region), authentic Albanian music (see '']'') and ] do still exist. Albanian music is characterized by the use of the '']'' (an authentic Albanian instrument), ''mandolin'', ''mandola'' and ''percussion''. In Kosovo, ] music is very popular alongside modern music. There are a number of folk ] and ensembles (both Albanian and Serbian). ] is also well known in Kosovo and has been taught at ] (at the ] and the ] ]) and several pre-] ]s | |||
| There are some notable music festivals in Kosovo: | |||
| * ''Rock për Rock'' - contains ] and ] music | |||
| * ''Polifest'' - contains all kinds of genres (usually ] and commercial ]) | |||
| * ''Showfest'' - contains all kinds of genres (usually ] and commercial ]) | |||
| * ''Videofest'' - contains all kinds of genres | |||
| * ''Kush Këndon Lutet Dy Herë'' - contains ] | |||
| * ''North City Jazz & Blues festival'', an international ] held annually in ] ({{lang-sq|Zveçani}}), near Kosovska Mitrovica, | |||
| Kosovo Radiotelevisions like ''RTK'', ''21'' and ''KTV'' have their musical charts. | |||
| ===Sport=== | |||
| Several sports federations have been formed in Kosovo within the framework of Law No. 2003/24 "Law on Sport" passed by the Assembly of Kosovo in 2003. The law formally established a national Olympic Committee, regulated the establishment of sports federations and established guidelines for sports clubs. At present only some of the sports federations established have gained international recognition. | |||
| Federations that have so far gained membership or recognition by their international governing body: | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| Federations that have not yet gained international recognition: | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] and the ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{reflist|2}} | |||
| ==Further reading== | |||
| {{cite book | |||
| | last = Malcolm | |||
| | first = Noel | |||
| | authorlink = Noel Malcolm | |||
| | title = Kosovo: A Short History | |||
| | publisher = ] | |||
| | year = 1999 | |||
| | isbn = 0060977752 }} | |||
| == See also == | |||
| <div style="-moz-column-count:4; column-count:4;"> | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| </div> | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{portal|Kosovo|Flag of Kosovo.svg}} | |||
| {{sisterlinks|Kosovo}} | |||
| * {{wikiatlas|Kosovo}} | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * {{wikitravel}} | |||
| {{Template group | |||
| |title = Geographic locale | |||
| |list = | |||
| {{Kosovo}} | |||
| }} | |||
| {{Municipalities of the Republic of Kosovo}} | |||
| {{Template group | |||
| |title = International membership and history | |||
| |list = | |||
| {{Countries of Europe}} | |||
| }} | |||
| <!--Categories--> | <!--Categories--> | ||
| ] | ] | ||
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