Kosovo has no provincial flag. Whenever an official flag is used, the United Nations' flag is flown. Most ethnic-Albanians will display the Albanian state flag, whilst Serbs will use the Serbian state flag. There is no current or historic national, provincial or regional flag that represents Kosovo's territory.

Ibrahim Rugova, the first president of Kosovo introduced the "flag of Dardania" on October 29, 2000. The flag with the Albanian eagle bears the legend "Dardania", the ancient word for Kosovo, but is not officially recognized by any international power. This flag didn't gain much popularity.

When Kosovo gains independence from Serbia as a result of the UN-sponsored talks, the new state will require national symbols including a new flag. A competition was held in June 2007 which received 993 entries for a design for any new flag. Under the terms of UN talks, all such symbols would have to reflect the multi-ethnic nature of Kosovo, avoiding the use of the Albanian or Serbian double-headed eagles or the use of solely red and black or red, blue and white colour schemes. Additionally, all entries have to be rectangular and have a 2:3 proportion. A total of 700 proposals met these criteria. A group of Kosovo politicians and experts known as the "Unity Team" selected three designs which would go forward for a vote by the Assembly of Kosovo (with a two-thirds majority required for approval).

The three proposals selected were forwarded to the Assembly on 4 February 2008.

The proposals:

	Blue field with a white map of kosovo surrounded by 5 stars. The stars vary in size and represent the different ethnic groups that reside in Kosovo. The largest star would represent ethnic Albanians. Designed by Mentor Shala and Besnik Nuli.
	A vertical tricolour of black, white and red. Designed by Valon Syla.
	A vertical tricolour of black, white and red with a spiral symbol in the center of the white strip.

Comments (39)

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DTH said:

	It seems that the first-mentioned proposal was modified, as the new flag has 6 stars above the map of the country. Or is there a difference between the state flag and national flag?
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February 19, 2008
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InfoForYou said:

There were rules that apply to the flag design, so I guess there was possibility for having double-headed eagle on the flag. [edit] Competition for a new flag A competition for a new flag was held in June 2007 which received 993 entries. Under the terms of UN talks, all such symbols would have to reflect the multi-ethnic nature of Kosovo,[9] avoiding the use of the Albanian or Serbian double-headed eagles or the use of solely red and black or red, blue and white colour schemes. Additionally, all entries had to be rectangular and have a 2:3 proportion. A total of 700 proposals met these criteria. A group of Kosovo politicians and experts known as the "Unity Team" selected three designs which were then voted on by the Assembly of Kosovo (with a two-thirds majority required for approval), when independence was declared after the status talks.[10] uch to read. That explains that,hope it was not too much to read.

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February 19, 2008 | url
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JOHN STORMS said:

CONGRADULATION KOSOVO!! WELCOME TO FREEDOM AS A SEPERATE DEMOCRATIC STATE. I WOULD VOTE THE NEW FLAG THE BLUE AND WHITE ONE. I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU NOW HAVE YOUR OWN SEPERATE STATE. FREEDOM IS A WONDERFUL THING. NO GOVERNMENT SHOULD TELL IT'S CITIZENS WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO AND NOT DO. "ANY AND ALL STATES" SHOULD BE REPRESENTED BY THE MAJORITY OF IT'S CITIZENS!! THE GOVERNMENT "WORKS FOR THE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF IT'S CITIZENS." IT IS A PUBLIC SERVANT OF THE CITIZENS AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE WANTS AND RIGHTS OF IT'S CITIZENS." GO FREEDOM GO" LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK!! LET THE PEOPLE VOTE IN AN UNCORUPTED GOVERNMENT! ANY GOVENMENT THAT DOES NOT WANT ACT AS A PUBLIC SERVANT SHOULD BE THROWN OUT AND A NEW DEMOCRATIC ONE REPLACING IT BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE OF THAT STATE. THANK GOD FOR THE FREEDOM AFFORDED US BY GOD ALMIGHTY. CONGRADULATIONS ON YOUR NEW FREEDOM AND REMEMBER RUSSIA IS YOUR ENEMY AND THE UNITED STATES IS YOUR FRIEND. WE WILL HELP YOU FIGHT AND KEEP YOUR FREEDOM. HAIL TO THE FREEDOM OF THE NEW STATE OF KOSOVO, FROM THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!!! MR. JOHN

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February 18, 2008 | url
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JamArber said:

	Sa ma pa lidhje flamuri i ri me Shqiptarin, Aq ma shum do te perdoret FLAMURI I KASTRIOTIT!
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February 17, 2008
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Murat said:

	Kisisel olarak bayraklarin hicbiri bana heyecan verici gorunmedi. Umarim Kosova daha iyi bir tasarimi kabul eder. Istanbul'dan en iyi dileklerimizle... Personally, none of the flag designs seem to be exciting to me. I hope that Kosova will accept a better design. Best wishes from Istanbul...
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February 17, 2008
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Michael said:

I am speechless. This is a state not taking itself seriously. There are matters over which Kosovo will have little or no control, but the question of flags and emblems is an opportunity beyond legal veto Even within the specified restrictions there are amazing opportunities for a unifying identity. Unless this 'competition' is scrapped, I will have a greatly diminished regard for Kosovo as a nation and its prospects as a state.

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February 16, 2008
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berat said:

	is it possible to explain me what's the meaning of this SPIRAL in the flag. why the EAGLE is missing on this flags I'm waiting for the answer?????????? because I don't like any of this designs!!!!!!!!!!!
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February 15, 2008
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Blend said:

	what does that spiral mean?? does anybody know? it looks like a snake and may be they want to represent the serbs??
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February 15, 2008
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Ermali said:

	these flags they dont have at all any identity of our cultur. tradits, history... just put it this way, why all kosovo heros they did sacrifice thier life, thier family... only for that albanian flag and the color of the flag it's still wet from the blood of the people fighting for their identity ...
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February 15, 2008 | url
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Rron said:

	This is scandalous! How can they choose these flags? By the way, in the commision for the flag is Bujar Dugolli, he is nephew of a man who is known for his chetnic relations, and he is in charge for crimes against albanians. THIS IS NOT KOSOVAR FLAG!
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February 14, 2008
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labearta said:

	i don't like any of these designs flags i dont know who will chose it but the only best flag its IBRAHIM RUGOVA FLAG
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February 14, 2008
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valon said:

	we are called the childeren of the eagle, therefor I think the eagle is a symbol of the albanian people and should be a part of our new flag!!!!
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February 13, 2008
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Razart said:

How can they even think that such flag could represent the Kosovo nation when they are all Albanians, Ok two nations can't have the same flag, but at least they should have a flag that represent their identity? You can't create a nation from scratch when it already exists. The kosovon people have had their identity since ever same as other nations in the Balkan; the only difference is they were denied such right for centuries. Shame on these politicians that they don't have a sense of Patriotism, many generations have died for that black eagle. You can’t allow five % of Serbs to determine the identity of 95%. This is disgrace, Kosovon politicians have become like sheep they always do as they are told for their personal interest. Stand up for what is your people’s right you Mother F****** politicians.

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February 13, 2008 | url
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abnor said:

	Dont like those flags at all but if it has to be picked then the 1st one should be. the others look like the iraqan flag.
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February 12, 2008
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Pranvera said:

	What kind of person have done this flags? Are they crazy or what? What symbolizes kosova? Nothing at all !! This is my own opinion but I dont think that this is only my opinion... We are not from IRAK and we dont want to be called the IRAK people or something like that ( not because I disliked the people from IRAK) ? Iam suprised that this flags even got chosen..
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February 12, 2008
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Samian said:

	But even if you hate all the flags think of it this way: The flag can always be changed later )) Recognition is much more important now anyway )
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February 12, 2008
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Samian said:

	lol, for a second, I thought the second one was France's flag ))
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February 12, 2008
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Besnik Nuli said:

	My name is Besnik Nuli and that proposal up there is not mine i dont know where you got that but that one is not mine. Mine has 5 stars on the uper right side of the map. Please remove that flag or find the proper flag or do not use my name on it cuz that one is not mine. And i also had like 6 proposals one of them looks like this but it has 12 stars around the map and they are all the same
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February 11, 2008
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Luli said:

	OMG these are the flags. Hell no. these flag means nothing to me nore will the Albanian kosovar. I will not be representing any of these flags at all. We should have the eagle on the flag the one that Rugova used with the Dardania. We should choose the flag cuz it was the albanians kosovar that fought for kosova and died for it. Im so mad.
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February 11, 2008
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DURIMI FERIZAJ said:

	These don't look so good, but the first flag looks better than the others And also we can be proud of that because United States of America's flag has some stars on it, why we not ??
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February 11, 2008
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Hekuran Pira said:

	Hey, why do these medias say we do not like Rugova's flag? All of us seem over here to more or less agree on this one. If they chose one of these flags, I'll never ever take my passport.
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February 11, 2008
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don cari said:

wow i can't beleive this,these flags really suck, they really don't represent anything about the people of kosovo at all,they looklike middle eastern flags,i would protest and burn allof these flags, and if any of these flags are chosen you are gonna have everybody pissed off and then you have to deal with the chaos, drop them all these flags are halarious, and i know they certainly won't represent me , because i aman Albanian and i will bow down for no other flag besides the Albanian one or the Ibrahim Rugova's one, we are the people that live there and we should get to pick our own flag who cares if they don't like it. Dardania forever,only rugovas flag and nothing else at least he deseves it for all the hard work he's done and didn't even live to see it, shame on all Kosovar and International institutions, We have to pick Rugova's flag, people wake up before they sllame it to us like they did it to bosnia, Rugova's flag only and nothing else anything else will get burned and pissed on....

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February 11, 2008 | url
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Dardani said:

	thoes peple make me sick i swear! where is our flag that we faught for the Eagle flag Red and black, the flag with our name, the flag with our identity? i dont think thoes ppl r albanians that put thoz flags in here. qka jeni tuj mendu more a kush jeni ju a me kta M.t flamura?? ku e keni SHqiponjen qe e quani veten SHQIPETAR?
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February 11, 2008 | url
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Arben said:

	I am speachless ,i'm shocked . How many times in history a nation gets to choose his flag .Actually whois leading us I didnot expect anything better from them.This shows their intelect, so bad that it reflects to me as an Albanianfrom Kosova.
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February 11, 2008
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kiko said:

	Don't know if my first comment went through but the first flag but without the stars would be appropriate
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February 11, 2008
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kiko said:

Out all 3 the first one is the best The first one might be chosen but I think it should be improved by dropping the darn stars. As one commentator mentioned it reminds me of communism. The map of kosovo/a should be bigger and drop the darn stars from it. It would represent all the ppl. If you belong to the territory and are within its bounderies then it represents you, your beliefs, your ethnic identity, etc..... And if you want to fly your ethnic flag on your property then you can fly whatever flag you choose. And no one should be offended but respect each individuals choice which ppl in Kosovo/a have a hard time doing.

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February 11, 2008
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toni said:

	bad idea, these flags do not represent anything with kosova where is the eagle?
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February 11, 2008
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aLBANIAN bOY said:

	All this Flags Not good for the Coutry of Kosova Hell Now what are you thinkin Ibrahima Rugovas Flag the Best One All these 3 are the worst one outa 1000 Qka jeni tu menu bre Ju a? Kosova Feb 17 Come up with a Falg
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February 11, 2008
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Heku said:

	Absolutely, all these flags, and especially the last one (which is just ludacris) do not represent anything. All this story reminds me the choice of Bonn as capital city for Germany. As it was obviously the anticapital we are chosing a kind of antiflag just to content International Community. Isn't this our country? Didn't we suffer to reach this point? Victory tastes bitter my friends...
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February 10, 2008
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arber said:

	if i had to choose i'd say the one in the middle is the best
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February 10, 2008
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Almir said:

	The first is the best of these... But no so good... The flag I really like is the Ibrahim Rugovas flag.
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February 10, 2008
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Leo said:

	These flags are not good at all. Many ppl in kosova will reject these flags. The flag I would excpt is the Ibrahim Rugova flag.
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February 10, 2008
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Admirim said:

	This issue is of a great importance, Assembly's approval is not sufficient. A referendum must be organized.
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February 10, 2008 | url
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iliri80 said:

	I do not like any of these designs, either. The first one has communist-like stars, a map, and does not represent the feelings of more than 90% of inhabitants of Kosova - Albanians. The two last designs look like Iraq flag, and again have nothing to do with Kosova. Were there no better proposals among 1000 of them? a shame.
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February 10, 2008
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Damon said:

	If the Kosovo parliament rejects all three, what then...?
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February 10, 2008
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Mirenaj said:

	That's Bullshit!
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February 10, 2008
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Berisha said:

	Please!! not the same as the Iraq flag.
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February 10, 2008
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veton vrapqani said:

	if i'm honest i am disapointed in the three penutimate choices, from earlier research into the flags i have seen much more appealing flag designs. such a rugovas design in 2000. i am very suprised that that wasnt chosen.
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February 09, 2008
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Getoar said:

	I don't like any of these designs...
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February 09, 2008 | url
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