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Kosovo Marks Independence Anniversary


A band performs in Pristina during anniversary celebrations.
A band performs in Pristina during anniversary celebrations.
Kosovo has been marking the six-year anniversary of the ethnic Albanian leadership’s declaration of independence of the Balkan territory.

Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said on February 17 that it’s Kosovo’s ambition to be an independent, democratic member of the family of free nations.

More than 100 countries, including the United States and most of the European Union and NATO members, have recognized Kosovo since the proclamation of independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008.

The declaration came nearly one decade after a NATO bombing campaign expelled Serbian forces from Kosovo.

Serbia still does not recognize the independence of its former province, but last year Belgrade and Kosovo, under EU mediation, signed a normalization of relations agreement.

The move cleared the way for both Serbia and Kosovo to move toward possible eventual EU membership.

Based on reporting by AFP

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