Kosovo continues journey towards independence

Published on 10/09/2012 20:17

The fledgling nation of Kosovo took a step towards full independence with the announcement yesterday that international supervision of the state has come to an end.

Thirteen years after the Kosovo war, the international community has agreed to hand over unfettered legislative power to the Kosovan assembly.

The International Steering Group, a 25-nation group including Britain and the US which has overseen the Kosovan government since the Balkan nation declared independence from Serbia in 2008, declared “the end of the supervision of Kosovo’s independence”.

Until yesterday, the International Civilian Representative, a position held by Dutch diplomat Pieter Feith, has had the right to override legislation passed by the elected Kosovan assembly. The mandate has ended.

Speaking in front of a packed Kosovan Assembly, Austrian vice-chancellor Michael Spindelegger expressed satisfaction at the constitutional amendments introduced by Kosovo’s parliament in accordance with a settlement plan. The constitution, he said, “has proved to be the most valuable basis for developing the statehood of Kosovo”.