Albania PM Greets Kosovo Anniversary

Tirana | 17 February 2010 |

Sali Berisha and Hashim Thaci

Albania Prime Minister Sali Berisha greeted the second anniversary of Kosovo’s independence in a letter sent to his Kosovo counterpart, Hashim Thaci, on Wednesday.

“The celebration of the second anniversary of Kosovo’s independence is a historic event for the whole [Albanian] nation,” Berisha wrote. “Today, a free and independent Kosovo resonates peace and stability, not only within its borders but also in the region and beyond,” he added.

On February 17, 2008, Kosovo’s parliament unanimously endorsed its declaration of independence.

The move has been bitterly opposed by Serbia, which has lobbied countries not to recognise Kosovo and secured a hearing at the International Court of Justice last year over the legality of the declaration. The court's decision is expected this summer.

Two years after its declaration of independence, Kosovo is now recognised by 65 countries, including 22 European Union members, the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan.

Albania was one of the first countries to recognize Kosovo as an independent state and since then has been engaged diplomatically in efforts to further the international recognition of Kosovo.