(17 Feb 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pristina, Kosovo – 17 February 2025
1. Wide of Kosovo officials and guest standing for Kosovo anthem
2. Mid of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti (left) and Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani (right)
3. Wide of parade and crowd
4. Close of sign
5. SOUNDBITE (Albanian) Albin Kurti, Kosovo Prime Minister:
“If 25 years ago American troops and their allies landed in Kosovo to liberate it, today Kosovo’s military troops land together with American troops and their allies in various joint missions around the world. And in the rhythm of the steps of our soldiers and police officers today we hear the steps of the Kosovo Liberation Army but also the steps of our common path with the U.S. and NATO countries that began in 1999 and which will continue until Kosovo’s membership in NATO and the European Union.”
6. Mid of crowd cheering
7. SOUNDBITE (Albanian) Vjosa Osmani, Kosovo President:
"On this 17th anniversary of our state, we are here because we stood and resisted. We are here today because we fought, because we sacrificed, because we never bowed to violence, injustice and atrocities.”
8. Various of Kosovo Security Force and police parade, officials and crowd watching on
STORYLINE:
Kosovo celebrated 17 years of independence on Monday with a flag raising and a military parade, as questions remain over the future governance of the country following recent elections.
After the flag was raised at the parliament building, the Cabinet held a meeting and then paid respects to the founders of the country – late former President Ibrahim Rugova and the late former rebels’ commander Adem Jashari.
Officials saluted and crowds waved flags as a military parade passed.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s Self-Determination Movement Party, or Vetevendosje!, won the most seats in the Feb. 9 election but was left without a majority in parliament, according to the Central Election Commission, the election governing body, forcing it to look for an ally to form the next government.
It comes as talks on normalizing ties with Serbia remain stalled and foreign funding for one of Europe’s poorest countries is in question.
Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia on Feb. 17, 2008, nearly nine years after a 78-day NATO bombing campaign in 1999 ended Belgrade’s bloody crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists. The International Court of Justice ruled in 2010 that the declaration did not violate international law.
The United States and most Western powers are among the 117 countries that have recognized Kosovo’s statehood, and about 200 international organizations have allowed Kosovo to join, although not the United Nations. Several European nations, including Bosnia, Cyprus, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Spain, Slovakia and Ukraine, do not acknowledge the Republic of Kosovo.
Serbia still sees it as part of its territory. Russia and China have continuously backed Serbia’s position, as have Algeria, Morocco, Belarus, South Africa, Iran and other nations that do not want to get drawn into the dispute.
Relations between Pristina and Belgrade remain tense despite the European Union-facilitated talks that started in 2011.
Both the EU and the United States have urged the two sides to implement agreements reached two years ago that include a commitment by Kosovo to establish an Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities. Serbia was also expected to deliver on the de facto recognition of Kosovo.
AP video and production by Florent Bajrami
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