Nations of the World, I bid you arise and welcome the Republic of Kosovo

Welcome to the Republic of Kosovo
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Kosovo declares independence
The move to become an “independent and democratic state” is backed by the US and key European allies but bitterly contested by Serbia and Russia.“Kosovo is a republic – an independent, democratic and sovereign state,” parliament speaker Jakup Krasniqi said as the chamber burst into applause.Across the capital, Pristina, revellers fired guns into the air, waved red and black Albanian flags and honked car horns in jubilation at the birth of the world’s newest country.
Krasniqi, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and President Fatmir Sejdiu signed the declaration, which was scripted on parchment.The declaration was carefully orchestrated with the US and key European powers, and Kosovo was counting on swift international recognition that could come as early as tomorrow, when EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels, Belgium.
Source & Cont'd: Breakingnews.ie
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Ireland to recognise independent Kosovo
Ireland will recognise an independent Kosovo as the world’s newest country, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern declared today.Dermot Ahern said Serbia lost the Balkan province through its own actions in the 1990s.Celebrations are already under way in the Kosovan capital Pristina as it was poised to formally declare its independence.Ahern, who held lengthy talks with all sides in the western Balkans last November, insisted the new state must be embraced.“We are faced with a decision to recognise Kosovo. My intention is to do so,” he said.“Serbia effectively lost Kosovo through its own actions in the 1990s.

Source & Cont'd: Breakingnews.ie