17:05 CET - The newly revealed Kosovo flag has a blue field with a white map of Kosovo in the middle and six yellow stars above it. Kosovo Parliament has approved it unanimously. The new flag represents the European Union aspirations of the new country. 

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16:36 CET - Parliament deputies are signing the Declaration of Independence of what will from now on be known as Republic of Kosovo. All 109 deputies present in the extraordinary session voted in favor.  Celebrations in city squares taking place in Prishtina, Tirana and Skopje.

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15:50 CET - Parliament approves Independence Declaration. Kosovo is now an independent, sovereign and democratic state.

The declaration states that Kosovo will be democratic, laic, multiethnic. Welcomes the obligations of the Ahtissari package, especially Annex 12 that calls for the respect of community rights. Calls for a quick constitution. Welcomes international mission in Kosovo. Will respect territorial integrity of its neghbhors and borders assigned on the Ahtisaari plan. Will take over the responsiblities of Kosovo it carried as a unit in former Yugoslaiva and during UN administration. Promises friendly neighbhorly relations with Serbia.

Calls for international support of this independence. 

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15:36 CET - Prime Minister reading independence declaration.

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15:25 CET - President Sejdiu addressing the session. Remembers fallen KLA commander Adem Jashari. Talks about the 2 years of failed status talks and the mission of Kosovo as a multethnic state focused towards European integration. Calls for Serbs to contribute to a European Kosovo. Promises them that their identity will be respected and religous patrimony protected.

Promises to cooperate with the UN and towards membership there. 

Thanks United States, European Union, and NATO.

"God bless Republic of Kosova, people of Kosova, and all friends of Kosova."

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15:13 CET - Prime Minister Thaci addressing the Parliament in Albanian and Serbian. Noting the path of Kosovo so far, contributions of generations, and the path for the future.

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15:05 CET - Parliament Speaker Jakup Krasniqi addressing the extraordinary general session.

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14:44 CET - Confirmed event schedule for the rest of Independence Day
    - 15:00 Kosovo Parliament session to vote on independence declaration and state symbols.    
    - 18:00 CET Kosovo President, Prime Minister, and Parliament Head will address the public from the Prishtina Media Center.
    - 18:30 CET Independence obelisk to be revealed in front of Youth Center in Prishtina.
    - 19:00 CET Protocolar concert by the Kosovo Philharmonic. Appropriately themed Kosovar and European works will be     played. -20:00 CET Concert with popular music in Prishtina.
    -22:50 President and Prime Minister to address the mass.
    -23:00 Firework displays in four locations in Prishtina.

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13:30 CET - Kosovo Parliament leadership has approved the extraordinary open session to consider prime minister’s Hashim Thaçi request for independence declaration. The session is expected to take place at 15:00 CET. Official symbols of the new state will be voted in the same session. At the beginning of the session Thaçi will address the parliament deputies to explain the reason for the extraordinary session. President Fatmir Sejdiu will also address those present at the parliament. After the vote, Independence Declaration will be signed by the government leaders and the parliamentarians.

Comments (6)

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Lirije said:

	URIME SHTETI I RI i REPUBLIKES SE KOSOVES !!! Mendoj qe gabimisht e keni vendosur ne harte shtetin e Costa Ricas...ju lutem korrgjojeni qe mos te ofendohet njeri nga shtetet e para qe na kan nderuar me pranimin e Kosoves si SHTET! FLM dhe GEZUAR ...
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February 19, 2008 | url
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Miri said:

	Urime Pavarsia e Kosoves, dhashte Zoti te shkoj mbar!!!!!!!
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February 18, 2008 | url
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muki said:

	Pas 96 vjet vuajtjesh,tortura,debime,vrasje,malltretime thjesht nje gjenocidi ndaj Shqipetarve nga ana e pushtuesit serb,erdhi koha ta shqelmojme njihere e pergjithmon.E gezofshim ne dhe gjeneratat e ardheshme kete fitore historike.
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February 18, 2008
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Sokol said:

	Congratualtions! A day to pay tribute to all those who gave their lives for this day; to all those that made this day possible. Urime me zemer! Gezuar shqiptare!
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February 17, 2008
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Gezim said:

Since 1912 generations of Albanians in Kosova have been killed, deported and vanished. Several genoside campaign organized by Serbs in 1912, 1920-1935, 1945, 1968, 1981 and the last one in 1988-1989 shows how badly albanians have been treated in Serbia. Albanians in Kosovo deserve the Independence and the Freedom. They are in their ancient land and serbs have no any right on Kosova. Kosova belongs to Europe and who likes to follow her path is free to do so. Russia is trying to be again a superpower however with bad-will and bad intentions. Kosovars are backed up by freedom-fighters, by democratic societies and by educated peoples. Viva KOSOVA!!!

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February 17, 2008
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Sayyid Salman Rizavi said:

	Congratulations on your independece!
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February 17, 2008
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