Kosovo’s independence does not end its problems

Kosovo officially gained all the rights of sovereignty on the 10 September 2012, marking the end of monitored controls by the international community. Problems and uncertainty linger, however - especially in the North.

In addition, the NATO-led KFOR mission which has 5,000 troops stationed in Kosovo will be staying there for the time being - along with the 1,250 international legal experts and police supporting the EU's EULEX administrative and infrastructure mission.

• Primary Source

ESO: Key source: 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence http://www.europeansources.info/record/2008-kosovo-declaration-of-independence/

ESO: Background information: Western powers to end Kosovo oversight role http://www.europeansources.info/record/western-powers-to-end-kosovo-oversight-role/

Website: International Civilian Office http://www.ico-kos.org/

ICO: Press Release, 7.9.12: ICR Pieter Feith welcomes the approval of constitutional amendments preparing the ground for formal ending of supervised independence on 10 September http://www.ico-kos.org/data/Image/PR_Constitutional_Amendments.pdf

Deutsche Welle, 10.9.12: Is Kosovo ready for full independence? http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,16228654,00.html?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf

Reuters, 7.9.12: Kosovo amends law to close Western supervisory body http://uk.news.yahoo.com/kosovo-amends-law-close-western-supervisory-body-123529063.html

Jutarnji List / NRC Handelsblad / Le Monde, 10.9.12: Not quite independent yet (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/press-review/2668921-not-quite-independent-yet

BBC News, 10.9.12: Kosovo declared 'fully independent' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19550809

France24, 11.9.12: West ends supervised independence of Kosovo http://www.france24.com/en/20120910-kosovo-serbia-war-supervison-european-union-albania

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