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It has been suggested that Kosovo (geopolitical_region) and Talk:Kosovo#Proposal_to_merge_from_Kosovo_.28geopolitical_region.29 be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since March 2008.

This article is about the partially recognized Republic declared in February 2008. See Kosovo (region) for the region.

Republic of KosovoRepublika e Kosovës Република Косово / Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)
Flag Coat of arms
location of Kosovo in Europe
Capitaland largest city	Pristina
Official languages	Albanian, Serbian
Recognised regional languages	Turkish, Gorani, Romani, Bosnian
Ethnic groups (2007)	92% Albanians   5.3% Serbs   2.7% others
Demonym(s)	Kosovar
Government	Parliamentary republic
• Special Representative of the Secretary-General	Joachim Rücker
• President	Fatmir Sejdiu (LDK)
• Prime Minister	Hashim Thaçi (PDK)
Independence from Serbia
• Declared	17 February 2008
• Recognized	by 36 countries
Area
• Total	10,908 km (4,212 sq mi) (166)
• Water (%)	n/a
Population
• 2007 estimate	1,900,000 (141)
• 1991 census	1,956,196
• Density	220/km (569.8/sq mi) (55)
GDP (PPP)	2007 estimate
• Total	$4 billion (CIA World factbook) (158)
• Per capita	$1,800 $
Currency	Euro (€) (EUR)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Calling code	381
Internet TLD	None assigned
Independence has only been partially recognised internationally. The census is a reconstruction; most of the ethnic Albanian majority boycotted. Unilaterally adopted. Kosovo is not a member of the EMU. Officially; some mobile phone providers use +377 or +386 instead.

The Republic of Kosovo (Template:Lang-sq, Template:Lang-sr), commonly referred to as Kosovo (Template:Lang-sq or Kosovë; Template:Lang-sr; see also Names of Kosovo), is a self-declared, partially recognized state in the Balkans, claiming the Kosovo region as its territory since the February 2008 declaration of independence issued by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government, an assembly under the United Nations Mission in Kosovo. The declaration received varied reactions from the international community and was strongly opposed by Serbia.

History

The formation of the Republic of Kosovo is a result of the turmoils of the disintegration of Yugoslavia, particularly the Kosovo War of 1996 to 1999, but it is suffused with issues dating back to the rise of nationalism in the Balkans under Ottoman rule in the 19th century, Albanian vs. Serbian nationalisms in particular, the latter notably surrounding the Battle of Kosovo eponymous of the Kosovo region.

Kosovo in Yugoslavia

The province was first formed in 1945 as the Autonomous Kosovo-Metohian Area to protect its regional Albanian majority within the People's Republic of Serbia as a member of the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia under the leadership of the former Partisan leader, Josip Broz Tito, but with no actual autonomy . After Yugoslavia's name change to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbia's to the Socialist Republic of Serbia in 1953, Kosovo gained internal autonomy in the 1960s. In the 1974 constitution, the Socialist Autonomous Province of Kosovo's government received higher powers, including the highest governmental titles — President and Prime Minister and a seat in the Federal Presidency which made it a de facto Socialist Republic within the Federation, but remaining a Socialist Autonomous Province within the Socialist Republic of Serbia. (Similar rights were extended to Vojvodina). In Kosovo Serbo-Croatian, Albanian and Turkish were defined as official languages on the provincial level. The ethnic balance of Kosovo tilted as the number of Albanians tripled, rising from almost 75% to over 90%, but the number of Serbs barely increased, dropping from 15% to 8% of the total population. Even though Kosovo was the least developed area of the former Yugoslavia, the living and economic prospects and freedoms were far greater than under the totalitarian Hoxha regime in Albania. Beginning in March 1981, Kosovar Albanian students organized protests seeking that Kosovo become a republic within Yugoslavia. During the 1980s, ethnic tensions continued with frequent violent outbreaks against Serbs and Yugoslav state authorities resulting in increased emigration of Kosovo Serbs and other ethnic groups. The Yugoslav leadership tried to suppress protests of Kosovo Serbs seeking protection from ethnic discrimination and violence.

1st Declaration of independence

Inter-ethnic tensions continued to worsen in Kosovo throughout the 1980s. The 1986 SANU Memorandum 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. On June 28 1989, Milošević delivered a speech in front of a large number of Serb citizens at the main celebration marking the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo, held at Gazimestan. Many think that this speech helped Milošević consolidate his authority in Serbia. 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 July 2 1990, 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 Joint Interim Administrative Structure established by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). During its lifetime, the Republic of Kosova was only recognized by Albania.

The Kosovo War

The Kosovo War was initially a conflict between Serbian and Yugoslav security forces and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), an ethnic Albanian guerrilla group identified by some as terrorist., seeking secession from the former Yugoslavia. In 1998 Western interest had increased and the Serbian authorities were compelled to sign a unilateral cease-fire and partial retreat. Under an agreement devised by Richard Holbrooke, OSCE 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.

The Serbs then began to escalate the conflict, using military and paramilitary forces in another ethnic cleansing campaign this time against against the Kosovar Albanians. An estimated 300,000 refugees were displaced during the winter of 1998, many left without adequate food or shelter, precipitating a humanitarian crisis and calls for intervention by the international community.

NATO intervention between March 24 and June 10 1999, combined with continued skirmishes between Albanian guerrillas and Yugoslav forces resulted in a massive displacement of population in Kosovo. During the conflict roughly a million ethnic Albanians fled or were forcefully driven from Kosovo. Altogether, more than 11,000 deaths have been reported to Carla Del Ponte by her prosecutors. Some 3,000 people are still missing, of which 2,500 are Albanian, 400 Serbs and 100 Roma.

The UN administration period

After the war ended, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1244 that placed Kosovo under transitional UN administration (UNMIK) and authorized KFOR, a NATO-led peacekeeping force. Resolution 1244 also delivered that Kosovo will have autonomy within Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (today legal successor of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is Republic of Serbia).

Some 200,000-280,000, representing the 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. The current number of internally displaced persons is disputed, with estimates ranging from 65,000 to 250,000. Many displaced Serbs are afraid to return to their homes, even with UNMIK 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 trafficking of women for sexual exploitation.

In 2001, UNMIK promulgated a Constitutional Framework for Kosovo that established the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (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 unrest in 2004 was sparked by a series of minor events that soon cascaded into large-scale riots.

International negotiations began in 2006 to determine the final status of Kosovo, as envisaged under UN Security Council Resolution 1244. The UN-backed talks, lead by UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari, began in February 2006. Whilst progress was made on technical matters, both parties remained diametrically opposed on the question of status itself.

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 United States, the United Kingdom and other European members of the Security Council, was presented and rewritten four times to try to accommodate Russian concerns that such a resolution would undermine the principle of state sovereignty. 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. 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.

After many weeks of discussions at the UN, the United States, United Kingdom and other European members of the Security Council formally 'discarded' a draft resolution backing Ahtisaari's proposal on 20 July 2007, having failed to secure Russian backing. Beginning in August, a "Troika" consisting of negotiators from the European Union (Wolfgang Ischinger), the United States (Frank Wisner) and Russia (Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko) launched a new effort to reach a status outcome acceptable to both Belgrade and Pristina. Despite Russian disapproval, the U.S., the United Kingdom, and France appeared likely to recognize Kosovar independence. 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 Nikolić.

2nd Declaration of Independence

The Kosovar Assembly approved a declaration of independence on 17 February 2008. Over the following days, several countries (the United States, Turkey, Albania, Austria, Germany, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Republic of China (Taiwan), Australia and others) announced their recognition, despite protests by Serbia in the UN Security Council.

The UN Security Council remains divided on the question (as of 25 February 2008). Of the five members with veto power, three (USA, UK, France) recognize the declaration of independence, and two (Russia and People's Republic of China) consider it illegal. As of 28th March 2008, no member-country of CIS, CSTO and SCO have recognized Kosovo as independent.

The European Union has no official position towards Kosovo's status, but has decided to deploy the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo to ensure a continuation of international civil presence in Kosovo. As of today, most of member-countries of NATO, EU, WEU and OECD have recognized Kosovo as independent.

Of Kosovo's immediate neighbour states (other than Serbia), Albania recognizes the declaration of independence, Macedonia announced they will likely recognize it within "a few weeks" and Montenegro stated they will wait for a decision of the European Union. Croatia, Bulgaria and Hungary, all neighbours of Serbia, announced in a joint statement that they would also recognise the declaration.

The Celebration of Independence

On 17 February 2008 Kosovo has declared its independence. In the same day there has been a lot of celebrations. Thousands of Albanians came from Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro in the capital of Kosovo, Prishtina to celebrate the independence. The streets of Prishtina were full of people, so, urban transport was not available. 17 February 2008 was a very busy day for politicians. They have agreed to declare the independence on 15:00. On those moments, the parliament scene was being broadcast by huge TV channels, such as BBC, CNN, Sky News etc. After declaring the independence there was a philharmonic concert which was held on "1 tetori". After the philharmonic concert there was an another concert with famous Albanian singers. Concerts were also held in other cities with with significant ethnic-Albanian populations (i.e. Tetovo and Skopje) and Tirana.

Geography

Kosovo has an area of 10,908 square kilometers and a population of about 2.2 million. The largest cities are Priština, the capital, with an estimated 170,000 inhabitants, Prizren in the south west with a population of 110,000, Peć in the west with 70,000, and Kosovska Mitrovica in the north with 70,000. The climate is continental, with warm summers and cold and snowy winters. Most of Kosovo's terrain in mountainous, but there are plain regions.

Administrative regions

Kosovo, for administrative reasons, is considered as consisting of seven districts. North Kosovo maintains its own government, infrastructure and institutions by its dominant ethnic Serb population in the District of Kosovska Mitrovica, viz. in the Leposavić, Zvečan and Zubin Potok municipalities and the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica.

Districts

Municipalities and cities

Kosovo is also divided into 30 municipalities:

v t e Municipalities of Kosovo
District of Ferizaj	Ferizaj Hani i Elezit Kaçanik Shtime Štrpce
District of Gjakova	Deçan Gjakova Junik Rahovec
District of Gjilan	Gjilan Kamenica Klokot Parteš Ranilug Viti
District of Mitrovica	Leposavić Mitrovica North Mitrovica Skenderaj Vushtrri Zubin Potok Zvečan
District of Peja	Peja Istog Klina
District of Pristina	Drenas Kosovo Polje Gračanica Obiliq Lipjan Novo Brdo Podujevë Pristina
District of Prizren	Dragash Malisheva Mamusha Prizren Suva Reka

Politics

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.

Parliament

In 1999, UN Security Council Resolution 1244 placed Kosovo under transitional UN administration pending a determination of Kosovo's future status. This Resolution entrusted the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (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 Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (PISG). The PISG replaced the Joint Interim Administrative Structure (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.

Government

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 OSCE supervised the first elections for the Kosovo Assembly. After that election, Kosovo's political parties formed an all-party unity coalition and elected Ibrahim Rugova 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 Ramush Haradinaj (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.

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 Agim Ceku. 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 Fatmir Sejdiu, 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. 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

Parliamentary elections were held on 17 November 2007. After early results, Hashim Thaçi who was on course to gain 35 per cent of the vote, claimed victory for PDK, the Albanian Democratic Party, and stated his intention to declare independence. Thaci is likely to form a coalition with current President Fatmir Sejdiu's Democratic League 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.

Military

The military of Kosovo is still in the process of being organized following self-proclaimed and partially recognized declaration of independence of February 17 2008. Following the Kosovo War in 1999, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 placed Kosovo under the authority of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), with security provided by the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR).

Economy

Kosovo has one of the most under-developed economies in Europe, with a per capita income estimated at €1,565 (2004). Despite substantial development subsidies from all Yugoslav republics, Kosovo was the poorest province of Yugoslavia. 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.

Kosovo's economy remains weak. After a jump in 2000 and 2001, growth in Gross Domestic Product (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. Inflation 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.

UNMIK introduced an external trade regime and customs administration on September 3, 1999 when it set customs border controls in Kosovo. All goods imported in Kosovo face a flat 10% customs duty fee. These taxes are collected from all Tax Collection Points installed at the borders of Kosovo, including those between Kosovo and Serbia. UNMIK and Kosovo institutions have signed Free Trade Agreements with Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Republic of Macedonia.

The euro is the official currency of Kosovo and used by UNMIK and the government bodies. The Serbian dinar is used in the Serbian-populated parts.

Trade and investment

Kosovo's 2006 trade balance was total exports(FOB) $154mil and total imports(CIF) $1,612mil.

The Republic of Macedonia is Kosovo's largest import and export market (averaging €220 million and €9 million, respectively or 20% of whole Kosovo's trade), followed by Serbia (€111 million and €5 million app 12%), Germany (app 10% of total trade), China (app from 5-9% depending on season) and Turkey (app 6% of total imports). In total EU's 27 countries are Kosovo's biggest trade partner, 35% of all kosovo's imports are coming from EU and app 50-60% of Kosovo's $150 million exports are going in EU27.

The economy is hindered by Kosovo's still-unresolved international status, which has made it difficult to attract investment and loans. 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.

Kosovo have an foreign debt of 1,264 billion USD that is currently serviced by Serbia.

According to ECIKS from 2001 to 2004 Kosovo received $3,2 Billion of foreign aid. International donnor conference is to be held in Switzerland in June or July of 2008. Until now EU pledged 2 billion €, $350 mil by USA. Serbia also pledged 120 million € to Serb's enclaves in Kosovo.

Energy sector

It is to be said that Kosovo lies on a vast mineral deposits. Much of Kosovo's mineral deposits are not completely mapped and complete data are not yet available.

At 14,700 Mt, Kosovo possesses the world’s fifth-largest proven reserves of lignite. The lignite is distributed across the Kosovo, Dukagjin and Drenica Basins, although mining has so far been restricted to the Kosovo Basin. Coal reserves are found in two main basins and are currently being mined in the coal mines of Bardh open-cast coal mine and Mirash open-cast coal mine. Kosovo have lead-zinc-silver mines of Artana (Novo Brdo), Belo Brdo, Stan Terg, Hajvalia mines, Crnac mine. During the lead-zinc-silver exploitation at Farbani Potok (Artana-Novo Brdo), about 3 Mt of high-grade halloysite (Al2Si2O5(OH)4) was discovered. This is only one of five known exploitable deposits of this very high-value (US$140-450/t) clay, the other four being in New Zealand, Turkey, China and Utah, US. Current world production is estimated at 150,000 t/y. There is also Nickel to be found in Kosovo and the laegest working mine in Çikatova (Dushkaja and Suke) and Gllavica. There are significant deposits of Chrome, Bauxite and Magnesite, but mining is at stall since 1999.

Energy sector presents a mayor potential for development of Kosovo's economy. There are two big coal-fired electrical power plants named "Kosovo A" and "Kosovo B" and tender for third and largest 2100MW coal-fired electrical power plant is underway to be pened by 2012.

Unemployment

Mayor issue in Kosovo that is undermining Kosovo's development is unemployment. Official unemployment rate stands at 40%. The World Bank says that even with 6 per cent annual growth (twice what Kosovo manages at the moment), it would take ten years to cut unemployment by half, from 40 to 20 per cent. Persistent unemployment, in particular among the young, will fuel frustration, which would be bad for political peace. Unemployment rate among young people age under 25, which contribute to app 50% of Kosovo's population, is much bigger and it stands app at 60%. But, Kosovo has youngest population in Europe, so in coming years, with significant development of educational sector on Kosovo, this fact could be overturned in Kosovo's favour.

Demographics

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According to the Kosovo in Figures 2005 Survey of the Statistical Office of Kosovo, Kosovo's total population is estimated between 1.9 and 2.2 million in the following ethnic proportions:

• 92% Albanians
• 4% Serbs
• 2% Bosniaks and Gorans
• 1% Roma
• 1% Turks

Ethnic and cultural diversity

Islam (mostly Sunni, with a Bektashi minority) is the predominant religion, professed by most of the majority ethnic Albanian population, the Bosniak, Gorani, and Turkish communities, and some of the Roma/Ashkali/Egyptian community. The Serb population, estimated at 100,000 to 120,000 persons, is largely Serbian Orthodox. Approximately 3 percent of ethnic Albanians are Roman Catholic.

Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo have the largest population growth in Europe. 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.

From 1948 to 1991 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.

Society

Cinema and media

Although in Kosovo the music is diverse, authentic Albanian music (see World Music) and Serbian music do still exist. Albanian music is characterized by the use of the çiftelia (an authentic Albanian instrument), mandolin, mandola and percussion. Classical music is also well known in Kosovo and has been taught at universities (at the University of Priština Faculty of Arts and the University of Priština at Kosovska Mitrovica

Sports

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.

Notes and references

1. Enti i Statistikës së Kosovës
2. for sources see States which formally recognise Kosovo as independent
3. See: UN estimate, 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 "Kosovo". The World Factbook (2024 ed.). Central Intelligence Agency.).
4. New York Times 1981-04-19, "One Storm has Passed but Others are Gathering in Yugoslavia"
5. Reuters 1986-05-27, "Kosovo Province Revives Yugoslavia's Ethnic Nightmare"
6. Christian Science Monitor 1986-07-28, "Tensions among ethnic groups in Yugoslavia begin to boil over"
7. New York Times 1987-06-27, "Belgrade Battles Kosovo Serbs"
8. SANU (1986): Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts Memorandum. GIP Kultura. Belgrade.
9. The Economist, June 05, 1999, U.S. Edition, 1041 words, "What's next for Slobodan Milošević?"
10. "Operation Allied Force". NATO.
11. Larry Minear, Ted van Baarda, Marc Sommers (2000). "NATO and Humanitarian Action in the Kosovo Crisis" (PDF). Brown University.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
12. "World: Europe UN gives figure for Kosovo dead".
13. KiM Info-Service (07/06/00). "3,000 missing in Kosovo". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
14. "RESOLUTION 1244 (1999)". BBC News. 1999-06-17. Retrieved 2008-02-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
15. "Kosovo: The Human Rights Situation and the Fate of Persons Displaced from Their Homes (.pdf) ", report by Alvaro Gil-Robles, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Strasbourg, October 16 2002, p. 30.
16. UNHCR, Critical Appraisal of Responsee Mechanisms Operating in Kosovo for Minority Returns, Pristina, February 2004, p. 14.
17. 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.
18. "Kosovo: The human rights situation and the fate of persons displaced from their homes (.pdf) ", report by Alvaro Gil-Robles, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Strasbourg, October 16 2002.
19. International Relations and Security Network (ISN): Serbians return to Kosovo not impossible, says report (.pdf) , by Tim Judah, June 7 2004.
20. European Stability Initiative (ESI): The Lausanne Principle: Multiethnicity, Territory and the Future of Kosovo's Serbs (.pdf) , June 7 2004.
21. Coordinating Centre of Serbia for Kosovo-Metohija: Principles of the program for return of internally displaced persons from Kosovo and Metohija .
22. UNHCR: 2002 Annual Statistical Report: Serbia and Montenegro, pg. 9
23. U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI): Country report: Serbia and Montenegro 2006.
24. Kosovo UN troops 'fuel sex trade', BBC.
25. Kosovo: Trafficked women and girls have human rights, Amnesty International.
26. Nato force 'feeds Kosovo sex trade', Guardian Unlimited.
27. U.S State Department Report, published in 2007.
28. "UN frustrated by Kosovo deadlock ", BBC News, October 9 2006.
29. Southeast European Times (29/06/2007). "Russia reportedly rejects fourth draft resolution on Kosovo status". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
30. Southeast European Times (09/07/07). "UN Security Council remains divided on Kosovo". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
31. James Dancer (30/03/07). "A long reconciliation process is required". Financial Times. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
32. Simon Tisdall (13/11/07). "Bosnian nightmare returns to haunt EU". The Guardian. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
33. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6386467.stm
34. "Kosovo MPs proclaim independence", BBC News Online, 17 February 2008
35. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/02/20/2003402059
36. "Recognition for new Kosovo grows", BBC News Online, 18 February 2008
37. BBC News, Serbia's neighbours accept Kosovo , accessed 12:41 19 March 2008.
38. "Statistical Office of Kosova".
39. "Kosovo: Serb minister resigns over misuse of funds ", Adnkronos international (AKI), November 27 2006
40. "Sole Kosovo Serb cabinet minister resigns: PM ", Agence France-Presse (AFP), November 24 2006.
41. Fillimi
42. EuroNews: Ex-guerrilla chief claims victory in Kosovo election. Retrieved 18 November 2007.
43. http://en.wikipedia.org/Military_of_Kosovo Military of Kosovo
44. The World Bank (2006). "Kosovo Brief 2006".
45. Christian Science Monitor 1982-01-15, "Why Turbulent Kosovo has Marble Sidewalks but Troubled Industries"
46. The World Bank (2006/2007). "World Bank Mission in Kosovo". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
47. eciks (04/05/06). "May finds Kosovo with 50% unemployed". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
48. ^ U.S. Commercial Service. "Doing Business in Kosovo".
49. Economic Reconstruction and Development in South East Europe. "External Trade and Customs" (PDF).
50. B92 (02/10/06). "Croatia, Kosovo sign Interim Free Trade Agreement". mrt.com. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
51. EU in Kosovo (17/02/06). "UNMIK and Bosnia and Herzegovina Initial Free Trade Agreement" (PDF). UNMIK. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
52. EU in Kosovo. "Invest in Kosovo".
53. The World Bank (April 2006). "Kosovo Monthly Economic Briefing: Preparing for next winter" (PDF).
54. BBC News (03/05/05). "Brussels offers first Kosovo loan". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
55. UNMIK. "Kosovo in figures 2005" (PDF). Ministry of Public Services.
56. BBC News (23/12/05). "Muslims in Europe: Country guide". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
57. BBC News (20/11/07). "Regions and territories: Kosovo". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
58. International Crisis Group (31/01/01). "Religion in Kosovo". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
59. International Religious Freedom Report 2007 (U.S. Department of States) - Serbia (includes Kosovo)
60. International Religious Freedom Report 2006 (U.S. Department of States) - Serbia and Montenegro (includes Kosovo)
61. Albanian Population Growth
62. Kosovo-Hotels, Prishtina - Kosova-Hotels, Prishtinë

Further reading

Malcolm, Noel (1999). Kosovo: A Short History. Harper Perennial. ISBN 0060977752.

See also

• Assembly of Kosovo
• Government of Kosovo
• Prime Minister of Kosovo
• President of Kosovo
• Serbs in Kosovo
• Albanians in Kosovo
• Post and Telecom of Kosovo
• National awakening and the birth of Albania
• Demographic history of Kosovo
• Unrest in Kosovo during March 2004
• Metohija
• North Kosovo
• Flag of Kosovo
• 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence

External links

• Wikimedia Atlas of Kosovo
• United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo
• The Government of Kosovo and Prime minister's office
• Assembly of Kosovo
• President of Kosovo
• Serbian Government for Kosovo and Metohija
• "Kosovo". The World Factbook (2024 ed.). Central Intelligence Agency.
• Visit Kosovo - Tourism Website
• Template:Wikitravel

Geographic national

Template:Kosovo v t e Municipalities of Kosovo District of Ferizaj Ferizaj Hani i Elezit Kaçanik Shtime Štrpce District of Gjakova Deçan Gjakova Junik Rahovec District of Gjilan Gjilan Kamenica Klokot Parteš Ranilug Viti District of Mitrovica Leposavić Mitrovica North Mitrovica Skenderaj Vushtrri Zubin Potok Zvečan District of Peja Peja Istog Klina District of Pristina Drenas Kosovo Polje Gračanica Obiliq Lipjan Novo Brdo Podujevë Pristina District of Prizren Dragash Malisheva Mamusha Prizren Suva Reka

Geographic international

v t e Countries and dependencies of Europe Sovereign states Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Kazakhstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Moldova Monaco Montenegro Netherlands North Macedonia Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia San Marino Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom Vatican City States with limited recognition Abkhazia Kosovo Northern Cyprus South Ossetia Transnistria Dependent territories Denmark Faroe Islands autonomous country of the Kingdom of Denmark United Kingdom Akrotiri and Dhekelia (Sovereign Base Areas) Gibraltar (British Overseas Territory) Crown Dependencies Bailiwick of Guernsey Alderney Guernsey Sark Bailiwick of Jersey Isle of Man Special areas of internal sovereignty Finland Åland (autonomous region subject to the Åland convention of 1921) Norway Svalbard (unincorporated area subject to the Svalbard Treaty) United Kingdom England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland (country of the United Kingdom subject to the British-Irish Agreement) Spans the conventional boundary between Europe and another continent. Considered European for cultural, political and historical reasons but is geographically in Western Asia. Oceanic islands within the vicinity of Europe are usually grouped with the continent even though they are not situated on its continental shelf. Governed by the Holy See which has sovereignty over Vatican City. Category Europe portal v t e Members of the Central European Free Trade Agreement Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina Kosovo Moldova Montenegro North Macedonia Serbia

• Articles to be merged from March 2008
• Kosovo