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Historical photos and moments/ The day Kosovo declared independence

2025-02-17 16:47:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Declaration of Independence of Kosovo was made on February 17, 2008 at 3:39 p.m., in the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo in Pristina. In an extraordinary meeting attended by 109 out of a total of 120 members of parliament, the Assembly of Kosovo unanimously declared Kosovo an independent, sovereign and democratic state.

17 years have passed since that historic day and event.

On this anniversary of Kosovo's Independence, it is the day to bring to mind the images and details of this great event for Albanians.

Historical photos and moments/ The day Kosovo declared independence

Kosovo Declaration of Independence

"We, the democratically elected leaders of our people, hereby declare Kosovo an independent and sovereign state. This declaration reflects the will of our people and is in full accordance with the recommendations of the United Nations Special Envoy, Martti Ahtisaari, and his Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement."

— February 17, 2008 - Pristina

Historical photos and moments/ The day Kosovo declared independence

The reading of the Declaration of Independence of Kosovo was made by the then Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, in the presence of the deputies of the Assembly of Kosovo, and the President of Kosovo, at a meeting held in the capital of Kosovo - Pristina, on February 17, 2008. The Declaration of Independence of Kosovo was unanimously approved by the deputies present in the hall of the Assembly of Kosovo. Eleven deputies representing the Serbian minority boycotted the voting procedure. Nine representatives of other ethnic minorities were part of the quorum.

Historical photos and moments/ The day Kosovo declared independence

The Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo was adopted on 9 April 2008 and entered into force on 15 June 2008.

A draft of the new Constitution was prepared and published in April 2008. Much of this constitution derives from the Ahtisaari Plan, thus granting specific rights to minority groups and a safer environment for all citizens of Kosovo.

The preamble says:

We, the People of Kosovo, Determined to build a future for Kosovo as a free, democratic and peace-loving country, which will be the homeland of all its citizens; Committed to the creation of a state of equal citizens, which will guarantee the rights of each citizen, civil liberties and the equality of all citizens before the law; Committed to Kosovo being a state of economic well-being and social prosperity; Confident that the state of Kosovo will contribute to the stability of the region and the whole of Europe, by establishing good neighborly relations and cooperation with all neighboring states; Convinced that the state of Kosovo will be a worthy member of the family of peace-loving states in the World. With the aim of the state of Kosovo being included in the Euro-Atlantic integration processes; We solemnly adopt the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo.

Historical photos and moments/ The day Kosovo declared independence

The Newborn Monument is a typographic sculpture and tourist attraction in Pristina, Kosovo. The Newborn was created by Fisnik Ismaili.

It was placed in front of the Palace of Youth and Sports and was promoted on February 17, 2008, the same day that Kosovo declared independence.

The monument has the English word “Newborn” in large letters, which are painted in light yellow. The monument was later painted again with the flags of the countries that recognize Kosovo. Newborn is painted differently every February 17. /CNA

Historical photos and moments/ The day Kosovo declared independence