
Serbia: Kosovo military parades in Pristina on independence declaration anniv.
The recently upgraded Kosovo Security Force (KSF) paraded for the first time as an army unit on Pristina's Skanderbeg Square on Sunday, to mark the 11th anniversary of the proclamation of Kosovo's independence from Serbia.
The ceremony was witnessed by hundreds of citizens, as well as numerous high-ranking officials, such as Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and US Ambassador Philip S. Kosnett.
"In front of us, dear citizens, we have our own professional and multiethnic army, which is at the service and for the protection of the newest country in Europe and the world. Always ready to contribute to peace, not only in the region but also worldwide," said Thaci.
Kosovo's decision to introduce its own official professional army prompted concerns and drew criticism from neighbouring Serbia, which does not recognise Kosovo as a republic.

The recently upgraded Kosovo Security Force (KSF) paraded for the first time as an army unit on Pristina's Skanderbeg Square on Sunday, to mark the 11th anniversary of the proclamation of Kosovo's independence from Serbia.
The ceremony was witnessed by hundreds of citizens, as well as numerous high-ranking officials, such as Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and US Ambassador Philip S. Kosnett.
"In front of us, dear citizens, we have our own professional and multiethnic army, which is at the service and for the protection of the newest country in Europe and the world. Always ready to contribute to peace, not only in the region but also worldwide," said Thaci.
Kosovo's decision to introduce its own official professional army prompted concerns and drew criticism from neighbouring Serbia, which does not recognise Kosovo as a republic.