Today, 17 February 2021, Kosovo marks the 13 year anniversary of independence from Serbia.
In a ceremony organized by the Government, the Ceremonial Guard of the Kosovo Security Force raised the country’s flag, which started the activities in honor of the day.
Present at the ceremony was Acting President, Vjosa Osmani and the outgoing Prime Minister, Avdullah Hoti.
State leaders, including Albin Kurti whose party won Sunday’s elections, paid homage to the grave of former President Ibrahim Rugova. They also visited the Memorial Complex in Prekaz where the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) commander Adem Jashari was murdered by Serbian forces alongside 56 family members in 1998.
The main activity for the day is planned at the KSF headquarters.
This is the first Independence anniversary that finds KLA leaders-turned-politicians behind bars facing war crime indictments by The Hague- based Kosovo Specialist Chambers.
Former President Hashim Thaci, former parliament speakers, Kadri Veseli and Jakup Krasniqi, and the former MP, Rexhep Selimi have been detained since November 2020.
The Ambassador of the United States of America to Kosovo, Philip Kosnett said that their partnership with Kosovo “remains unshakeable”.
“We stand by the people of Kosovo as you work to build a just, peaceful and prosperous home for all Kosovo’s citizens,” Kosnett wrote on Twitter.
Italian ambassador to Kosovo, Nicola Orlando expressed his country’s support.
“Italy remains at your side, supporting with determination institutional consolidation and your commitment to reforms, on the path to our common European home,” Orlando wrote on Twitter.
Kosovo declared its independence in February 17, 2008. The country was liberated from Serbia in 1999 after a war, led by the Kosovo Liberation Army, and the air campaign by NATO against Serbian forces.
Serbia disputed the legality of the declaration of the independence and in October 2008 requested an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice.
The Court determined that the declaration did not violate international law.
The official list published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shows that 117 countries have recognized Kosovo as an independent state, despite reporting that several withdraw their recognition.
The last recognition came from Israel, while on February 1 two other countries established diplomatic relations.
