The history of conflict in Kosovo. reference

After the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo, the opinion was spread that in Europe a new Islamic state arose. But how much to speak about the religious factor in this inter-ethnic conflict? About this "NGR" said an employee of the Institute of Slavov Studies of Ran Georgy Engelhardt.

- Georgy Nikolaevich, what role does the religion of opposing parties play in the Kosovo conflict?

The religious factor is not the main thing in this confrontation, which is largely intersdicable, but due to differences in the religion of Serbs and Kosovo Albanians, a confessional aspect could not affect the conflict itself and on its specific manifestations. One of these manifestations became campaigns to destroy Orthodox churches in Kosovo. In an effort to destroy the traces of the presence of Serbs in the region, the Albanians tried first to erase the religious shrine and monuments from the face of the earth.

Now the leaders of the self-proclaimed state demonstrate their loyalty to the United States and the EU, thanks to them for their support and therefore publicly certify the international community in their commitment to democratic values. However, 10 years ago in the creation of the liberation army of Kosovo (OAK) - the combat units of Kosovo Albanians - the instructors of Al-Qaida took considerable participation. True, at that time Americans collaborated with Al-Qaeda in the Balkans.

After the 1999 war in Kosovo, charitable organizations from the Persian Gulf (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE) were actively worked with the approval of the UN temporary administration. During this time, tens of mosques are built in the edge of the funds of foreign philanthropists, which is indicated on the signs at the entrance. In the countries of the Persian Gulf, and part of the Islamic clergy of the region was trained.

In late 2001 - early 2002, arrests and exposure of representatives of Islamic charitable organizations prohibited after September 11 terrorist attacks, such as BIF (Benevolence International Foundation). Many of them were active in Kosovo, at least at the initial stage of the de facto independent existence of an enclave.

Is there a difference in the degree of religiousness between Albanians in Kosovo and in Albania itself? After all, Enver Magazine Khoji differed a much larger pressure with respect to the religion than the Josepa of Tito Broza. Perhaps, in Yugoslavia (Kosovo and Macedonia), it was the adherents of the old traditions, which were waiting for repression in their homeland?

The Kosovo community in a religious plan is more homogeneous than Albania, where among Albanians are about 60-70% of Muslims, 20% of Orthodox and 10% Catholics. Albanians of the former Yugoslavia (Kosovo and Macedonian) in the overwhelming majority of Muslims. According to the latest accessible studies, more than 90% of Kosovo Albanians attributed to Muslims, and about 7% to Catholics. You are right that in Albania the communist regime was extremely peculiar, and the country held the most rigid anti-religious policy from all European socialist countries. It is enough to recall the official ban of religions in 1967. There and the clergy, and the religious tradition suffered the strongest damage. And in Yugoslav Kosovo and Macedonia, it was still not an example of a more liberal atmosphere, largely due to flirting policies with the Arab world, conducted by Titov Belgrade within the framework of the Non-Aligned Movement. For example, specialists in the Balkan Sufism over the decades led field research in these regions, while traditional Sufi centers in Albania were defeated by the authorities.

- Is it possible in Kosovo the emergence of an Islamist enclave like "Hamasstan" in the Gaza Strip?

Probably, in the near future it is not necessary to expect. Hamas took twenty years to grow from the conglomerate of underground groups and charitable organizations to grow into a protortment structure. On the other hand, if now radical religious views most Albanians are alien, the network of Islamist organizations that arose in the 1990s remains. The UN government sources indicate the existence of such groups in the region and that they have sufficient combat potential.

In 2007, there was an intensification of Wahhabi groups in a new grocer, in Serbia. This is the detection of the training camp of the Ismal Prentica training camp, and conflicts in the Muslim structures of Sanjaka (the area on the border of Serbia and Montenegro, inhabited mainly by the Slavman Slavs, Sanzhak was the last territory that Serbs were allotted at the Turks in the 20th century. The inhabitants are traditionally considered the most committed to Islam. Of the Muslims of the former Yugoslavia), as well as the exacerbation of the situation in the Muslim community of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the summer of 2007. In all these cases, it was about cross-border coordinated groups worked in Sanjak, and in Kosovo, and in Bosnia, with the Center for Management, in particular, in Vienna. Kosovo, under the rule of the UN administration, became a "gray zone", which Wahhabits are convenient to use as a rear base and to prepare people, and for cargo transfer.

Anxious symptom of the radicalization of the Albanian diaspora was the disclosure of the preparing attack on the basis of the US Army base near New York - from six detained conspirators four were immigrants from Kosovo.

- How are the relationship between Muslims-Slavs and Albanians in the region?

For the Wahhabi environment, the ethnic factor is moving into second place, and within these organizations, Muslims cooperate in various origins. For more traditional groups, a different attitude towards Muslims of nonalban origin is characterized. Since the 1960s, the Albanian nationalists sequentially sought to assimilate all Muslim ethnic communities of Kosovo to strengthen their positions in the region. For example, Goranians are the Slavs-Muslims living in the Shar-Planina area in the south of Kosovo, even after the 1999 war, the Albanians were constantly exposed to pressure. In the intraskosovsky political scenario, they usually supported the position of Serbs and Belgrade. The same applies to the part of the Gypsy, Turks and Adygov (the latter in 1999, due to persecution by the Albanians, were forced to move to a historic homeland in Adygea).

The Serbian Orthodox Church refused to cooperate with the authorities of the self-proclaimed Kosovo. How can this demarsh turn to the Serb minority?

After the occupation of Kosovo by the NATO forces, the Kosovo Diocese of SPC became one of the main political institutions of the Serbian community of the region. The ruling bishop of Rashko-proud Artemia (Radomavlevich) March 3 forbade the clergy of the diocese cooperation and with the Kosovo authorities, and with the Mission of the European Union.

Now the countries of the West seek to abolish the UN administration in Kosovo and convey its powers to the International Managing Group under the EU auspices. The completion of this control is scheduled to begin summer. The Bishop of Artemy consistently supports Belgrade's position: Serbian's authorities do not recognize the Pristine administration and called the EU mission illegal to Kosovo, recognizing the UN mission mandate. The actions of the head of the Rashko-Proswensky Diocese are aimed at preserving the UN presence in the region in the region, the only channel of interaction with international structures, he believes that the UN Civilian Administration and the CFF peacekeeping contingent. As for the reaction to the statement of the bishop by opponents, at the moment, neither the EU nor the authorities are politically interested in having a sharp surge of violence, primarily against Serbs and Orthodox shrines in Kosovo. They need contact instance in relations with the Serbian community and with the diocese as with a very important political representative of this community in the region.

History:

As a result of the Balkan wars, 1912-1913, most of Kosovo became part of Serbia (a small area in the north-west was attached to Montenegro). Then an independent Albanian state was formed. The fact that more than half of the ethnic Albanians remained outside Albania contributed to the exacerbation of Albano-Slavic contradictions in the region. In addition, territorial changes have become the beginning of a new turn of ethnic migrations: Serbs from other areas began to move to Kosovo, which was encouraged by the government of Serbia, part of the Albanian population emigrated outside the country. During the First World War, as a result of the defeats of the Serbian army in 1915, the territory of Kosovo seized the troops of Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria. Albanians in the war as a whole supported the central powers and participated in the battles against the Serbs. In the summer, in the summer of 1918, Serbian troops once again liberated Kosovo, and at the end of the war the region became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians (since 1929 - Yugoslavia). As part of Yugoslavia, the Albanian issue kept its relevance. Albanian nationalists deployed a partisan war for the accession of Kosovo to Albania, while the government encouraged the colonization of the edge by Chernogorsk peasants. In the interwar period, Kosovo left several tens of thousands of Albanians.

During World War II, most of Kosovo was included in the Italian Protectorate of Albania. During the Italian occupation, the Albanian armed formations launched the struggle for the expulsion of Serbs from the territory of the region. According to Serbian estimates, from 10 to 40 thousand were killed, from 70 to 100 thousand people were forced to leave Kosovo. In 1944, largely due to the efforts of Kosovo partisans, the territory of the region was released and again entered the composition of Yugoslavia. According to the Constitution of the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia, 1946, the autonomous region of Kosovo and Metokhia as part of the Socialist Republic of Serbia was formed. Tito, hoping to enter into the composition of Yugoslavia Albania, encouraged the relocation to Kosovo Albanians and, on the contrary, limited the possibilities for the return of the Serbian population. Although in terms of the development of the Kosovo economy, it was inferior to other regions of Yugoslavia, the standard of living here was significantly higher than in neighboring Albania, which contributed to the influx of refugees from there. By the 1960s, the ratio of the shares of Albanians and Serbs in the region was already 9: 1. Despite the gradual expansion of the autonomy of Kosovo, among the Albanian population, the desire for independence and orientation on Enver Khoji regime in neighboring Albania increased.

In 1968, the wave of performances by Albanian radicals swept around the edge. The struggle acquired the form of party disagreements of the Union of Communists of Serbia and the Union of Kosovo Communists. In the same year, the authorities of the edge removed the word "Metohiya" from his name under the pretext of his non-use by the Albanian majority, however, officially kept his old name for another 6 years before 1974, when a new constitution was adopted, and the word was also adopted in the region. Socialistic "(Socialist Autonomous Region Kosovo), this option was canceled by Milosevic in 1989.

According to the new Constitution, the autonomy of Kosovo was significantly expanded. The edge received his representative as part of the Presidium of Yugoslavia with the right veto, the Albanian language became one of the official, the possibility of creating Albanian middle and higher educational institutions. However, Kosovo still remained an autonomous edge in Serbia.

In 1981, mass student manifestations were held in the region with the requirement to provide Kosovo the status of a full republic within the framework of Yugoslavia, which went out into bloody clashes and depressed by the federal troops. The Serbo-Albanian confrontation was published on a new level: the Serbs were discriminated against by local authorities, the collisions on ethnic soil, the Albanian national movement was radically radicalized, and antalban moods grew among the Serbs. In 1986, the first manifest was published part of the Serbian intelligentsia, called Kosovo to "Dealbanization".

Serbo-Albanian antagonism aggravated after coming to power in Yugoslavia Slobodan Milosevic in 1988, which using nationalist rhetoric was able to win wide popularity among the Serbian population in the conditions of the collapse of Yugoslavia. In 1989, a referendum was held in Serbia, who approved a new constitution, which radically cut the autonomy of national edges. Kosovo Albanians boycotted a referendum. According to his results, Parliament was dissolved in Kosovo, the broadcasting of state radio and television stations in Albanian language was stopped, the dismissal of Albanians from state structures began, in some educational institutions, teaching on Albanian was launched. In response, mass strikes began, protest shares, ethnic clashes. In 1990, a state of emergency was introduced in Kosovo. Nevertheless, separatist aspirations among Albanians increased. On September 22, 1991, the establishment of an independent Republic of Kosovo was proclaimed, and then unauthorized (among the Albanian community) referendum on independence and presidential elections were held, on which President Ibrahim Rugova was elected by the president. On October 22, 1991, the independence of the Republic of Kosovo recognized Albania. The formation of armed formations of separatists, which in 1996 were combined into the army of the liberation of Kosovo. In the region, a partisan-terrorist war unfolded, whose victims were hundreds of civilians, officials and military Yugoslavia. Initially, the struggle with the separatists was carried out only by police units, but in 1998 the Yugoslav army entered hostilities. The war was accompanied by mass repressions, murders of civilians and ethnic cleansing on both sides of the conflict. Albanian militants were destroyed by many monuments of Orthodox culture. In 1999, NATO intervened in hostilities: Yugoslav cities and military facilities were subjected to massive bombers. About half a million, mostly Albanians left without bed. As a result, the Serbian government was forced to agree to the NATO KFOR military contingent in Kosovo and the transition of the UN Office, which was carried out on the basis of UN Security Council resolution No. 1244 of June 10, 1999.

After establishing the UN missile administration in Kosovo, a significant number of refugees remained in Serbia, mainly from the number of Serbs and Roma. According to Serbian data, their number in 2002 amounted to 277 thousand people.

On October 23, 2004, elections to the Parliament of the Kosovo were under the control of the temporary administration. Most votes (47%) were given to the Democratic Union Kosovo (leader - Ibrahim Rugov, moderate). The Democratic Party of Kosovo (the leader - the former field commander of the Him Tachi) received 27% of the votes. Another former commander of the army of the liberation of Kosovo - Ramush Haradi - headed the party Alliance for the future of Kosovo. All Albanian parties advocated the independence of the edge. The overwhelming majority of Kosovo Serbs elections ignored - about 900 people voted, that is, less than 1% of the Serbian population. In their opinion, in the region, there were no normal conditions for holding elections, which proved bloodshed in March 2004, when 19 people died as a result of riots and pogroms, 4 thousand Serbs and other non-Albans lost her houses, hundreds of houses were burned and dozens of Orthodox destroyed Temples and monasteries.

The number of places in the Kosovo parliament is distributed over the ethnic basis: Ethnic Albanians own 100 places from 120, the rest are reserved for national minorities, including 10 - after the Serbs. The president and the Government of Kosovo chooses Parliament. The UN Mission and Justice Mission, the Civil Administration, the formation of civil institutions and democratization, the restoration of farms and economic development were in jurisdly. Gradually, the internal control functions were transferred to the authorities of the Kosovo authorities.

On December 6, the Government of Kosovo was headed by Ramush Haradi. In March 2005 he resigned. He came to replace the more moderate bayram clam. After death in 2006, Fatmir Seydiy was elected by the president, and the prime minister again became the former field commander Aok - Agim Cheku. In November 2006, the check was with an unofficial visit in Moscow at the invitation of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, where he held negotiations in the Russian Foreign Ministry, as well as with Russian deputies, who called on the Albanian leadership to direct contacts with Belgrade. From January 9, 2008, the Kosovo government heads the Hasim Tachi, in the past of the Field commander of the army of the liberation of Kosovo.

Initially, in relation to Kosovo, the world community was trying to apply the "Standards to Status" formula, which suggested the consensus between all political forces and ethnic groups, and only after that - determination of the status of the region. This policy, however, did not lead to a return to the edge of the Serbs or the cessation of violence. In October 2005, the UN Security Council spoke in favor of the beginning of negotiations on the status of the region.

January 31, 2006 at a meeting of the Contact Group on Kosovo at the Foreign Minister (Russia, USA, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, EU and NATO), according to which, "when solving the question of Kosovo status, it is necessary to fully take into account The character of the Kosovo problem, which took shape as a result of the collapse of Yugoslavia, followed by these conflicts, ethnic cleansing and events of 1999, as well as its long stay under international management on the basis of UN resolution 1244. The ministers spoke in favor of the need to make every effort to achieve an agreement on Kosovo in 2006. Russia opposed the establishment of concrete settlement terms, as well as Serbia. Three basic principles of negotiations were agreed: Kosovo cannot be returned to Serbia's control, cannot be divided and cannot be attached to another state. The former President of Finland, Marty Ahtisaari, was appointed to the head of international intermediaries to resolve the problem of Kosovo.

Negotiations on the status of Kosovo between Serbs and Kosovo Albanians began on February 20, 2006 in Vienna, through the mediation of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General Marty Ahtisaari. The Albanian position consisted in the requirement to provide Kosovo full and unconditional independence. Serbia extended to maintain at least a formal control over Kosovo and insisted that the Kosovo Serbs in the Compact Residence were granted self-government in health, education, legal and social services, as well as security issues. The legal basis of the negotiations remained resolution 1244, in which, in particular, was confirmed by the "inviolability of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" and did not mention anything more than the "provision of substantial autonomy in Yugoslavia."

On February 17, 2008, the Kosovo Parliament announced the independence of Kosovo unilaterally. On March 14, Kosovo Serbs, protesting against the independence of the region, began actions and captured the building of the Albanian Court. The building stormed about 200 people and they kept the building for 3 days. On March 17, the UN Secret troops in the amount of 500 people were shot off the building and arrested 53 people. However, when the convoy was arrested by the convoy, a crowd of Serbs attacked him and threw stones, bottles with an incendiary mixture, grenades. In total, 42 military were injured and 2 cars were severely damaged. After that, the UN troops were ordered to leave the Serbian enclave in the north of the edge. On the night of Tuesday, one Ukrainian peacekeeper died.

On November 15, 2009, in Kosovo, the first of the declaration of the independence of the region of the municipal elections took place. The victory on them won the Democratic Party of Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thachi. The second place went to their opponents from the Democratic League of Kosovo, headed by the President of the country by Fatmir Seydiu. The third came the Alliance for the future of Kosovo led by one of the founders of the army of the liberation of Kosovo Ramushe Harada.

On December 1, 2009, hearings on the legality of the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo independence began in the International Court in Hague. On July 22, 2010, the UN International Court of Justice recognized the legality of solving the Kosovo authorities to proclaim independence from Serbia

On October 15, 2010, the country's first political crisis occurred in the country: the Democratic League of Kosovo under the leadership of the former President Fathmir Seidia decided to leave the ruling coalition. The crisis began in October, when the country's Constitutional Court ruled, according to which the country's president cannot be simultaneously the leader of the party.

On March 8, 2011, the first negotiations with Serbia were held in Brussels in Brussels. The political status of Kosovo was not discussed. Position Belgrade: Improving the life of the Serbian community in Kosovo. Position Pristina: Normalization of relations with Serbia.

In July 2011, a conflict arose between the authorities of the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo and Kosovo Serbs for control over two transitions at the edge of the region with Central Serbia, which the Kosovo authorities are considered as state. In fact, KFOR forces were also on the side of Kosovo. The conflict was preceded by unsuccessful negotiations Pristina and Belgrade about customs regulation.

On April 19, 2013, in Brussels, the Prime Minister of Serbia Ivitsa Dacich and Prime Minister Kosovo Hashim Tachi captured an agreement on the principles of normalization of relations. It concerns the status and functions of Serbian communities in the north of Kosovo, but not the status of Kosovo itself. The agreement provides for the formation of a new Unified Community / Association of Serbian Communities Kosovo, which should control the areas of economic development, education, health, urban and agriculture. Additional powers, this union can be given the "central authorities" Kosovo. Police divisions of the Serbian part of Kosovo must be fully integrated into a single Kosovo service, but commanded the regional police department, which will take control of four Serbian communities (Northern Mitrovica, Strikhana, Zubin Stream and Leposavich), must Kosovo Serb. The judicial bodies of Northern Kosovo should be integrated into Kosovo and act under Kosovo laws, but a special district court must be established in the Serbian part of the city of Kosovo-Mitrovica. Provided in 2013 with the support of the OSCE elections to the leadership of Serbian municipalities. Serbia and Kosovo agreed to not block the process of entering each other into the EU. To implement the Agreement, with the support of the EU, a joint committee must be formed. Many Serbian opposition parties, the Serbian Orthodox Church, the movement of the nationalist and Kosovo Serbs oppose the agreement with Kosovo, as they consider it to be a betrayal of national interests.

Recognized countries:

Afghanistan, Costa Rica, Albania, France, Turkey, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Senegal, Latvia, Germany, Estonia, Italy, Denmark, Luxembourg, Peru, Belgium, Poland, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, Sweden, Netherlands, Iceland, Slovenia, Finland, Japan, Canada, Monaco, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Norway, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Burkina Faso, Lithuania, San Marino, Czech Republic, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Colombia, Belize, Malta, Samoa, Portugal, Montenegro, Macedonia, UAE, Malaysia, Micronesia, Panama, Maldives, Palau, Gambia, Saudi Arabia, Komorov, Bahrain, Jordan, Dominican Republic, New Zealand, Malawi, Mauritania, Swaziland, Vanuatu, Djibouti, Somalia , Honduras, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Qatar, Guinea-Bissau, Oman, Andorra, Central African Republic, Guinea, Niger, Benin, Saint Lucia, Nigeria, Gabon, Côte d'Ivoire, Kuwait, Ghana, Haiti, Uganda, San Tome and Principe, Brunei, Chad, Papua - New Guinea, Burundi, East Timor, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Fid and, Dominica, Pakistan, Guyana, Tanzania, Yemen, Egypt, Salvador, Grenada, Libya, Thailand, Tonga

Flag:

Map:

Territory:

Demography:

1 733 872 people.
Density - 220 people / km²

Religion:

Languages:

albanian, Serbian

Armed forces:

In accordance with the UN Security Council resolution No. 1244, after the NATO war against Yugoslavia, the KFOR security forces were created, which entered Kosovo on June 12, 1999. The maximum number of KFOR reached 50 thousand servicemen. Basic databases:

Camp Bondystil
Camp-Casablanca

The Cosovo Protection Corps is the civil authority, created on September 21, 1999 under the auspices of UNMIK. It included many former participants in the army of the liberation of Kosovo. There are approximately 5,000 employees.

In March 2008, KFOR and the Kosovo Protection Corps began preparations for the formation of new security forces. According to the security plan, 2,500 fighters in parts of constant readiness and 800 reservists aged 19-35 should include 2,500 fighters. The head of the General Staff appointed Lieutenant General Suleiman Selimi.

Kosovo, Kosovo Republic,the self-proclaimed state recognized by some states in Europe, the USA, Albania, Afghanistan, etc.

Serbia did not recognize the independence of Kosovo and in the Serbian constitution of Kosovo is an autonomous edge.

Kosovo - the historical region in southern Serbia, also known as the edge of Kosovo and Metokhia, covers an area of \u200b\u200b10,887 square meters. KM.Alovychi Vallee Dreril and Ibar rivers. The main city is Pristina (194.3 thousand people). Other largest cities - proud (117.4 thousand), Pecs (78.8 thousand), Kosovo-Mitrovica (73.1 thousand) and Jikenitsa (72.9 thousand). Kosovo inhabited 1953.7 thousand people. The edge is characterized by a high population density - 179 people per 1 square meter. km. The title of the edge comes from the Serbian Kos-Drozd. The largest ethnic group - Albanians; According to 1991, they accounted for 77% of the region's population, Serbs - 13%, Bosnian Muslims - 4%, Gypsies - 2% and Chernogores - 2%.

Kosovo in modern boundaries corresponds to the medieval regions of Metokhia, the prison and Kosovo field, which the Great Zapan Stefan Nemanya, the ruler of Serbia, joined his state in 1180-1190. This area has become one of the centers of the medieval Serbian state: the church was the residence of the Serbian Orthodox Archbishops and Patriarchs, the proud, the temporary Serbian capital. In Kosovo, 1,300 monasteries existed until the end of the XX. Most titles in the edge - Serbian. Kosovo in the history of Serbia is also of great importance, because of the military defeat of the country and its Christian allies, which caused them the Turks in the Battle of the Kosovo Field in 1389. Serbian Prince Lazar Krebelanovich was killed, and Serbia became the Vassal of the Ottoman Empire. However, the victory was given to the Turks the hard-national hero of Serbov Milos Obrenovich killed the Turkish Sultan in the Serbian national culture of Kosovo remains a great emotional symbol of the Renaissance after the National Tragedy. Until Hii, most of the region's population was Serb. During the wars between Austria and the Ottoman Empire, B1690 Serbian Patriarch of Arseniy III (Chernoevich), many of his clergymen, as well as a part of the population, which spoke in support of Austrians, moved along with them to the southern part of Hungary. Over time, their possession and houses captured Muslim Albanians, who previously lived in the area. The privileges of Muslims in the Ottoman Empire led to the Islamization of Albanians. By the end of the XIX Serbs, about half of the region's population were already. Serb's dedication to sacred places in Kosovo has been preserved after changing the ethnic composition of its population. During the Balkan wars, 1912-1913 Serbia returned Kosovo. Serbian, and then Yugoslav authorities conducted an assimilation policy or eviction of Albanians. Schools with teaching in Albanian language were closed, the lands of Albanians were confiscated. Thousands of Albanians emigrated. The Serbian authorities were forced to fight with Kosovarsky rebels (fraudes) and nationalist organizations that enjoyed the support of Albania.

In the spring of 1998, the UN and the OSCE suggested a figure to conclude a three-year agreement, according to which NATO has received the opportunity to introduce 30 thousand servicemen to Kosovo to ensure peace and democratic elections. Yugoslav authorities regarded this step as interference in the internal affairs of the sovereign state. After the multi-day negotiations held in October 1998, S. Miloshevich concluded an agreement with the American representative of R. Holbruk, according to which the sky over Kosovo was provided for patrolling by NATO intelligence aircraft, and 2 thousand OSCE observers were introduced into the edge. At the same time, Serbian special forces was displayed from Kosovo.

In February 1999, in France, negotiations between the Serbian authorities and representatives of Kosovo Albanians began searching for the search options from the crisis, which ended with the search for options from the crisis, which were completed to no avail under the auspices of the Contact Group. Yugoslav leadership responded decisively against the introduction of NATO's troops in Kosovo. The second round of negotiations in March 1999 was unsuccessful.

During this period, the position in Kosovo became critical. In response to the escalation of hostilities of the Kosovo Albanians, the 40-thousand Serbian army was introduced to the region, again started together with the police to the liquidation of the UAC bases. Armed clashes were accompanied by victims among the local population. Many Albanian families fled to Albania and Macedonia, where the refugee camps were deployed. Western media accused Serbs in the Albanian Genocide. The facts that caused this was subsequently not confirmed. This served as a reason for NATO hostilities against Yugoslavia in spring - in the summer of 1999 and the subsequent movement of the Albanian population from Kosovo to other countries. NATO aggression under the code name "Allied Power" began on March 24 and lasted 78 days before June 10, 1999. Air strikes were applied throughout the country, including Belgrade and other major cities; Many enterprises, hospitals, bridges were destroyed. More than 2 thousand Yugoslav citizens died, including old men and children, and the total damage, according to some data, was approx. 100 billion dollars. The mass flight of Albanians from Kosovo began. Under bombing dresses and Serbs and Albanians. Finally, Yugoslavia agreed to the conclusion of his troops from Kosovo and input to the region of multinational international forces under the auspices of NATO - KFOR. The Russian units (3 thousand people) entered these forces.

After the cessation of NATO bombings in June 1999, the return of Albanian refugees began, at the same time, the territory of Kosovo began to leave the Serbs, at which the Albanian extremists were attacked under the cover of NATO troops. In 2001, from the territory of Kosovo, Albanian extremists launched armed actions in Macedonia.

According to UN Security Council No. 1244, the territorial integrity of the FRARY and the management in Kosovo is carried out under the supervision of the International Civil Forces (UN mission in Kosovo - UNMIK) and the international security forces (KFOR) with NATO participation. In the country there was a 50-thousand military contingent of CFF forces, which up to 39 thousand decreased by the beginning of 2002. After falling the power of the ATP and the transfer of the Hague Tribunal Milosevic, the situation has not changed. In the example of Montenegro, Kosovo introduced a German brand as a settlement unit. More than 50 discriminatory in relation to the Albanians of the laws is canceled, but most of them are applied by de facto against non-Al banks, especially Serbs. The terrorists who previously acted as part of the UAK are now attacking the remaining Serbian residents and explode Serbian temples.

As a result of the local elections, which took place on October 28, 2000, the forces who supported the moderate position of Ibrahim Rugov, but at the same time, the position of the extremist forces led by the leader of the UAC Hashin Tati was strengthened. The election results were not recognized by Belgrade.

Since 2001, the role of the EU in solving the problem of Kosovo increases. In the spring of 2001, the situation sharply aggravated due to the intervention of the UAC to the conflict between the Macedonians and Albanians.

On November 17, 2001, elections to the local parliament (Assembly) were held in Kosovo, the results of which were recognized as a special UN Secretary-General in Kosovo on November 24. They were attended by 64.3% of registered voters. The largest number of votes scored the Democratic League of Kosovo (leader I. Rubov) - 45% of the votes (47 mandates of 120); In second place, the Democratic Party (Leader H. Tachi) - 26 seats; In third place, the Serbian coalition "Return" with 22 mandates (10 of them was reserved for her initially). The remaining mandates were distributed among small batches.

March 4, 2002, after two unsuccessful attempts (December 10, 2001 and January 10, 2002), the President of Kosov was elected I. Rubov, for which 88 out of 119 deputies voted. However, Rugova has a lot of opponents: representatives of the Tachi faction accuse him of excessive softness to the Serbs, and representatives of the "return", on the contrary, consider his position with anti-services. On the same day, the government was formed headed by the leader of the Democratic Party B. Herge. Prime Minister considers the main purpose of Kosovarov achieving independence. The troubled region of Kosovo continued to remain under the supervision of international peacekeeping forces.

The UN Security Council did not come to a single opinion about the permission of the situation in Kosovo. Russia supported Serbia in this matter. The UN Special Representative Marty Ahtisaari was the actual author of Kosovo's independence. He developed a plan for the development of this territory. According to his plan, Kosovo actually received independence, but did not receive the right to unite with Albania, as well as will not have the right to unite with Serbia again.
January 9, 2008 Kosovo parliamentarians voted for the appointment of the head of the government Kosovo Hashim Thachi.

On February 17, 2008, the Kosovo Parliament unilaterally proclaimed the independence of the edge from Serbia. There were armed clashes and conflicts between the residents of Kosovo: Serbs and Albanians.

In February 2008, the recognition of the independence of Kosovo began and this process continues at present. Among independence: USA, Australia, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Turkey, Albania, Afghanistan, Cyprus, Greece and other countries, members of the European Union supported Kosovo Albanians.

Russia did not recognize Kosovo's independence and believes that a precedent is being created, which will destroy the system of international law. President Putin commented on this decision: "I want to emphasize again, we believe that the support of the unilateral announcement of the independence of Kosovo is nonoral and wrong. The territorial integrity of the states is enshrined in the fundamental principles of international law, there is a UN Security Council resolution 1244, which speaks of the territorial integrity of Serbia, and all UN members should follow these decisions. " This factor Russia will take into account when deciding on the recognition of unrecognized states in the space of the former USSR.

Parliament of Serbia accepted at an extraordinary meeting on February 18, 2008 the decision to cancel the Declaration, proclaiming independence in the Kosovo region. Deputies voted for this decision unanimously.

November 15, 2009 Municipal elections were held. Most received the party Tachi Democratic Party of Kosovo.

The first negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo took place in 2011 in Belgium. At the negotiations managed to agree on the customs regime and flights. In 2012, an agreement was signed between Serbia and Kosovo, according to which Serbia gave Kosovo permission to participate in regional forums, but with a special reservation on the status of Kosovo.

Negotiations held between Pristina and Belgrade in the late 2011 beginning of 2012 were the greatest importance for the results of the campaign. In March 2011 In Belgium, direct negotiations took place between representatives of Serbia and Kosovo on customs regime and air traffic. The mediatory in the negotiations was the European Union. Parties managed to achieve agreement on the resumption of air traffic, as well as determine the procedure for the activities of border and customs services.

In February 2012, Serbia and Kosovo concluded a contract according to which Belgrade, who does not recognize the self-proclaimed republic, agreed to participate Pristans in international regional forums, provided that there is a special reference to its name - a substitution note that says: "This inscription does not define the status of Kosovo and corresponds Resolutions 1244 S Sboard UN. B. Tadich, who concluded this agreement, called him the success of his international policy, as the document will allow you to qualify for its country to receive the official status of a candidate for the European Union. At the same time, the Serbian Radical Party called the agreement with state treason. Rating B. Tadich significantly fell after these negotiations.

Kosovo - Republic of South-Eastern Europe, partially recognized by other states. Located in Europe, in the geographical region of the region. Constitutionally this region relates to Serbia, but the population of Kosovo does not obey their laws. The capital of the Republic is Pristina.

The population, according to the 2011 census, is more than 1.7 million people. Basically, Serbs and Albanians live here, and only about 3-5% are other nationalities.

Title and History

The name of the Republic itself is translated as "earth of black drosses".

The history of the local population who lived on these lands began 2 thousand years ago. The first Illyrians lived here. In the 6th century, Slavic peoples settled. In the 9th century, Christianity was taken on the territory. Gradually, this region became the cultural and religious center of the Serbian state. It was here that the largest majestic cathedrals and temples were built. However, in the XV century, after prolonged military shocks, this territory moved to the Ottoman Empire.
At the beginning of the XIX century, the Serbian principality was formed on European lands, which strengthened its political positions and disinterested Kosovo at the Turks.

In 1945, a federal state of Yugoslavia was formed in the south of Eastern Europe. Kosovo (Republic) has highlighted as an autonomous district as part of Serbia. In the 90s, this territory survived civil war. In 1989, a referendum was held, which marked the exit of autonomy from Serbia. However, there was only Albania. Military clashes and conflicts began in the country. As a result, many locals died, even more left without her head. The excitements lasted for several years, until in 1999, NATO bombardments did not cause the military bases. From this year, the republic is under special control and guardianship of the UN. In 2008, he proclaimed independence from Serbia, but only unilaterally. The latter did not accept this resolution.

Geography of the region

The Kosovo state is located on the flat locality, according to its form resembling a rectangle. Region area just over 10 thousand km 2. The average height is 500 m above sea level, the highest vertex - the city of Järavitsa, is in the mountain system, on the border with Albania. Its height - 2,656 m. The climate of the republic has a pronounced continental type: with cold winter and hot summer. Average winter temperatures - -10 ... -12 ° C, summer - + 28 ° ... + 30 ° C. Large rivers in Kosovo: Sitnice, Ibar, South Moravia, White Drin.

Administrative and territorial structure of the republic

In administrative terms of Kosovo - the Republic, divided into 7 districts: Kosovo-Mitrovitsky, Pristinsky, Gnilansky, Jakovitsky, Pechky, Yoshchevitsky, proud. They, in turn, are divided into municipalities. In total, they are already 30. Municipalities of Strikhanov, Leposavich and Zubin Stream, located in the northern district of the republic and the residents populated, are not subject to the Kosovo authorities and do not recognize independence. In fact, its government has been created on this territory, which is concentrated in Kosovo Mitrovica. The Kosovo authorities submitted a draft law on the creation of a separate autonomous municipality on these lands. In addition to the northern region, Serbs live smaller in other Kosovo municipalities. There are so-called enclaves, independent autonomous districts.

Development

Currently, according to the Constitution adopted in 2008, Kosovo is the Republic of Unitary and parliamentary type. The head of state is the president, the elections of which fall on the shoulders of parliament. The executive power in the republic is the Prime Minister.

Transport of Kosovo - automotive and rail. Medicine in the republic is free, but without policies. The doctor's education can be obtained only in the capital of the University Clinical Center.

The city of Pristina (Kosovo) has a population of 200 thousand and is the largest city in the republic. Another major center is proud, a little more than 100 thousand people live in it.

Education of the entry level is developed, in the territory of the republic there are 1,200 educational institutions of junior and middle links. However, a big problem with the distribution and certification of teachers.

In terms of cultural development of the state from the former religious center, only memories remained. During hostilities, most Orthodox monuments of the country were deserved and destroyed.

Kosovo economy

Kosovo is the country that is currently considered one of the poorest in Europe. This state of the state occupied since the time of stay in Serbia, and after the exit of it, it was further aggravated. Mass unemployment, low standard of living, minimal salaries - it all pursues braids for many years, despite the large economic potential of the country.

Internal and foreign policy

For the population of Kosovo, such a feature is characteristic: most of the workable population, without being able to earn in their own country, are arranged abroad unofficially, by sending their children, parents to existence. According to statistics, out of 1,700 thousand people of the population of 800 thousand. At the moment are outside the country.

Large mineral deposits such as magnesite, lead, nickel, cobalt, bauxite, zinc are concentrated on the territory of Kosovo. The republic takes 5th place in the world in the reserves of brown coal. Kosovo has a huge international foreign debt, a part of which was paid by Serbia until 2008.

As a result of separation from Serbia, Kosovo was allowed into the state currency of Germany - a German brand, and after, together with European countries, he passed on the euro. Serbia's money remained in the northern region - dinars.

Problems

The status of Kosovo is unclear and causes some concerns, so investors are not involved in the country. This reason leads to the emergence of a shadow business in the republic. Basically from the country is exported tobacco, cement and gasoline. Also in Kosovo thrives a drug trafficking. According to UN estimates, more than 80% of prohibited drugs from Kosovo penetrate into Europe.

Population

The population of Kosovo has 1 million 700 thousand people. According to the ethnic composition, it is located in such a percentage: 90% - Albanians, 6% - Serbs, 3% - Gypsies and 1% fall on other nationalities: Turks, Bosnians, Ashkali, Goransians. Albanians are the overwhelming majority of the Kosovo population. State language of the Republic - Albanian and Serbian. Albanian language is based on Latinet, while Serbian is on Cyrillic.

Tourism

A fairly large number of people from neighboring countries come to look at the local attractions. And not in vain. This territory is rich in stunning places and will not leave anyone indifferent. You should fully plan your time and set a clear schedule to achieve maximum attendance of interesting places. The population is hospitable here and will always help - you should only seek help. Be sure to learn English well, so as not to get into the awkward situation with the ignorance of the local language.

Currently, the world has established on the territory of the republic, military conflicts are no longer there, so the country slowly begins to restore cities and, of course, the economy. The hardest thing remains that Kosovo as a separate state is still not recognized by all, which greatly agrees its development.