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Buenos Dias : Meet the World's Newest Nation : Kosovo

08:39 H | Topics: Kosovo - Politics

While you were off partying this weekend, some people in Europe decided to declare their independence (don't you feel like a slacker now?). Yesterday, the province of Kosovo declared independence from Serbia prompting some sightings of people waving the flag of Kosovo in NYC streets yesterday, confusing people (What flag is that? Is there a parade today?). The declaration of independence is the latest chapter in a long history of events in the former Yugoslavia that include a civil war between ethnicities in the region.

The majority of people in Kosovo identify as ethnic Albanians. This morning, Britain, France and Germany are expected to be the first recognize the new nation. Other countries have said they will not recognize the new country.

Russia demanded an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to proclaim the declaration “null and void,” but the meeting produced no resolution.

Russia has strong ties with Serbia, part of the problem according to many Albanians.

Kosovo, a desperately poor, predominantly Muslim landlocked territory of two million, has been a United Nations protectorate since 1999, policed by 16,000 NATO troops. Its unemployment rate is about 60 percent and average monthly wage is $250.

Meanwhile, in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, as many as 2,000 angry Serbs converged on the United States Embassy, hurling stones and smashing windows.

Via / The New York Times