2008 Kosovo declaration of independence — declaration of independence for Kosovo
Kosovo's 2008 declaration established it as an independent state, prompting a landmark ICJ advisory opinion confirming such declarations do not violate international law.
Key Facts
- Date of declaration
- 17 February 2008
- Assembly members voting
- 109 out of 120
- ICJ opinion requested
- October 2008 by Serbia
- ICJ ruling
- Declaration did not violate international law
- Prior declaration
- 7 September 1990 (first declaration)
- Brussels deal
- 2013, abolished Serbian institutions in Kosovo
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Kosovo's Albanian-majority political institutions had long sought independence from Serbia. Following the 1990 declaration and years of international administration after the 1998–99 war, political conditions in 2008 made a formal, internationally observed declaration viable, with key leaders including Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and President Fatmir Sejdiu prepared to act.
On 17 February 2008, 109 of 120 members of the Assembly of Kosovo, joined by President Fatmir Sejdiu, adopted a declaration proclaiming Kosovo an independent and sovereign republic. It was the second such declaration by Kosovo's Albanian-majority institutions and immediately drew international attention, with some states recognising Kosovo and Serbia contesting its legality.
Serbia challenged the declaration at the International Court of Justice, which in 2010 ruled it did not violate international law. This led to a UN General Assembly resolution calling for EU-facilitated dialogue, culminating in the 2013 Brussels Agreement, which abolished Serbia's parallel institutions in Kosovo and established formal bilateral representatives between Belgrade and Pristina.
Political Outcome
Kosovo declared independence; ICJ ruled the declaration lawful; 2013 Brussels Agreement normalised Belgrade–Pristina relations.
Kosovo under UN administration as part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia/Serbia
Kosovo declared an independent and sovereign republic