Kosovo celebrates 15th year of independence скачать в хорошем качестве

Kosovo celebrates 15th year of independence

(17 Feb 2023) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Pristina - 17 February 2023 1. Wide of Kosovo Security Force parading 2. Various of parade 3. Mid of Kosovo Prime Minister, Albin Kurti applauding troops 4. Wide of parade 5. People on balconies with Kosovo flags 6. Various of Kosovo Security Force and Kosovo Police parading 7. SOUNDBITE (Albanian) Vjosa Osmani, Kosovo President: "Our independence is not only freedom from slavery, but also our daily efforts for a society based on justice, equality and prosperity for all citizens without distinction. Therefore, let's work together to build a brighter future for our country and the generations to come. The period that our country is going through in this time of global challenges and threats increases the need for us to unite in a front for the good of the Republic, because only when we are together are we successful.” 8. Mid of flags 9. SOUNDBITE (Albanian) Albin Kurti, Kosovo Prime Minister: "The oath of our soldiers, of our policemen, manifested in readiness and translated into function, was witnessed several times in the security challenges that our country has gone through several times during the last months. Carrying out their tasks with high effectiveness throughout the country. The police of Kosovo showed not only their already known high professionalism, but also the level of the abilities of the state of Kosovo to respond to security problems in the country despite all their complexity.” 10. Various of parade, crowd watching STORYLINE: Europe's youngest country, Kosovo, on Friday launched festivities for the 15th anniversary of its independence from neighbouring Serbia with a military parade, wreath-laying ceremonies and a special Parliament session. But the celebrations are overcast by revived tension with Serbia, despite yearslong Western efforts to reconcile the former foes. Both want into the European Union, and have been told they must first overcome their differences. The country's top officials including Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, and President, Vjosa Osmani, watched on as police and military personnel paraded through the streets of Pristina as part of the anniversary celebrations. Speaking to the crowds gathered, Osmani called for people across the country to work together to "build a brighter future". "The period that our country is going through in this time of global challenges and threats increases the need for us to unite in a front for the good of the Republic, because only when we are together are we successful," she said. Ethnic-Albanian-dominated Kosovo unilaterally declared independence on February 17, 2008. That came nearly nine years after a 78-day NATO bombing campaign in 1999 ended Serbia’s bloody crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists. The International Court of Justice ruled in 2010 that the independence declaration did not violate international law. The United States and most Western powers are among the 117 countries that have recognized Kosovo’s statehood, and about 200 international organizations have accepted Kosovo as a member - although not the United Nations. Serbia, which for centuries considered Kosovo the cradle of its civilization, still sees it as part of its territory and refuses to recognize its independence, backed by Russia and China. Underlying tension has flared recently over matters as seemingly trivial as vehicle license plate formats, or the arrest of an ethnic Serb police officer, triggering concern among Western leaders who fear another Balkan conflict amid Russia's war in Ukraine. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...