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Kosovo claims independence will be declared on Sunday

16/02/2008

Prime minister Hashim Thaci has confirmed that Kosovo will declare independence from Serbia on Sunday.

"Tomorrow will be a day of calm, of understanding, and of state engagements for the implementation of the will of the citizens of Kosovo," Kosovo's prime minister said today.

Mr Thaci appealed for celebrations tomorrow to take place with "dignity… on the day of the declaration of independence, on the big day, on the historic day… a day of thanksgiving for a sovereign and independent Kosovo".

Earlier it was announced that the European Union (EU) had approved the deployment of a 2,000-strong mission consisting of police and judicial experts to Kosovo.

Kosovo's move to declare independence is opposed by the Serbian government and Russia.

The US and the majority of EU states meanwhile are in favour of the region’s declaration to separate.

The EU contingent of 2,000 will take over the duties currently performed by UN officials after a transition period of 120 days. Officials from the 27-member bloc will work towards ensuring the stability of institutions in the new state

Speaking at a rally yesterday, Hashim Thaci, declined to announce a date for the separation of the region from the country but promised to respect minority rights in the new country.

He said: "In independent Kosovo, not one citizen will feel discriminated against or neglected. We guarantee equal rights and security. Kosovo is the homeland of all citizens."

Kosovo's predominant ethnicity is Albanian, however there are areas containing ethnic Serbs within the province’s borders.

The entire province has been run by the United Nations since 1999 after NATO air strikes in the region sought to expel Serbian troops from the area.