Albania Lobbies for Kosovo's Independence

Published September 03, 2010

| Associated Press

TIRANA, Albania (AP) -- Albania's president is urging all U.N. General Assembly members to back Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia.

Bamir Topi said in a letter Friday that approval of a Serbian resolution challenging Kosovo's independence would "negatively affect" Balkan peace and stability.

The resolution for the early September General Assembly gathering in New York calls Kosovo's 2008 declaration "unacceptable."

The U.S. and 68 other countries recognize the independence of Kosovo, which has a majority ethnic Albanian population. Belgrade lost the province after a crackdown on ethnic Albanian rebels prompted NATO bombardments in 1999.

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci is in Tirana to coordinate lobbying efforts with the Albanian government.