Kosovo to Mark First Anniversary of Independence

Tuesday, Feb. 17, marks the first anniversary of Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia. The government has already made public the day’s planned celebration and activities which are said to start with a special meeting of the parliament at 11:00 am and speeches from government officials.

Since its independence, Kosovo has been recognized by more than 50 countries including the United States. The Serbs from the north, however, continue to reject the Kosovo's independence. The Serbian government has been leading a highly effective diplomatic campaign against the independence.

So what are the Serbs going to do on Feb. 17? Asked by Express, a local newspaper in Albania, Oliver Ivanovic, secretary of the Ministry for Kosovo in Serbia, said he would not rule out protests but he dismissed as unfounded rumors spread by Serb media that the Serbian Assembly would enter northern Kosovo to hold a symbolic session.