KOSOVO MARKS 1ST ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.02.2009 14:44 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Various events are being held across Kosovo to mark
the first anniversary of its declaration of independence from Serbia.

Speaking before the anniversary celebrations, Kosovo’s Prime Minister
Hashim Thaci said his government is building a homeland for all of
its people.

"I call upon all the citizens of Kosovo, regardless of their ethnicity,
to celebrate with dignity and pride. It is a year of historical
success for Kosovo," Thaci said.

"Kosovo has a safe future; therefore we should celebrate with dignity
and be proud. We will have a state protocol of the highest level,
but we will also have a big celebration for all our citizens," he said.

Albanian-majority Kosovo unilaterally declared independence a year
ago amid support from the Western community.

U.S. and UK leaders are reported to congratulate Kosovo authorities
on the anniversary.