David Miliband

Kosovo celebrates its first anniversary of independence

This week Kosovo celebrates its first anniversary of independence, and the many milestones it has passed in securing a path to a stable European future. This is real achievement.

The Kosovan government has shown its readiness to set about improving the lives of all Kosovans.  There is strong protection for minority communities in the new constitution.  Kosovo has welcomed the deployment of the EU's biggest ever rule of law mission, EULEX, which is working across the whole of Kosovo to help with policing, justice and other rule of law issues.

And the changes have been met for the most part with restraint by those who find Kosovo's independence difficult - the Government of Serbia has given welcome support to EULEX's deployment. International recognition continues to grow, with 55 countries now formally recognising the new Republic of Kosovo. That number will keep going up.

All this has allowed work to begin on making the world's newest state a better place to live, despite stiff economic challenges at a time of global downturn.  It reinforces the stability of the whole region.  There is further hard work for Kosovo's leaders ahead - and the UK will be there in support

Posted at 21:16 18 February 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[1]