Kosovo

Kosovo has this afternoon have made a unilateral declaration of independence. The declaration stressed that Kosovo should be a multi-ethnic, secular, democratic European state.

Serbia’s Prime Minister has responded by saying that the USA, EU and other nations recognising and encouraging the declaration is ‘violence’ against international order and that they refuse to recognise the new state.

He said that peaceful rallies are to be held against the move. We must now hope that peace is maintained on both sides. Kosovo has many of the necessities of a state but is still to formalise a few things. There is a draft constitution (in German at this stage) and a number of flags under consideration. Most pictures of supporters of Kosovan independence are shown flying Albanian and American flags.

Apparently the smart money for the new flag will be one inspired by the EU and Bosnian flags. Blue background with stars (representing the different ethnic groups).

Update: The new flag has been unveiled and it is based on the blue background with stars but is slightly different to the one above. Here is is flying in Pristina just a few hours after the announcement.