Dominican Republic recognizes Kosovo

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo confirmed that the Dominican Republic has recognized the Republic of Kosovo as an independent state.

The recognition was confirmed by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and was announced on July 10th.  “The Government of the Dominican Republic, based on the constitutional authority and in line with policies and international laws for recognition of states has decided to recognize the independent Republic of Kosovo,” says in the letter sent to Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Kosovo.

This decision was first announced by the leader of the New Kosovo Allience (AKR), Behgjet Pacolli who visited the region of Central America including the Dominican Republic a few weeks ago.

We would like to thank the people of Dominican Republic for their support and recognition and look forward to forging closer relations with the Caribbean Republic.

Recognition letter:  Download

Other sources:  New Kosova Report, Gazeta Express

New Zealand recognizes the passports of Repblic of Kosovo

The Department of Labour of New Zealand announces that the Republic of Kosovo passports are acceptable for New Zealand since June 5, 2009.

The statement says that the Kosovo passport meets the definition of a passport as specified under Section 2 of the Immigration Act. All Kosovo passports issued by the Republic of Kosovo, both standard and diplomatic, are considered acceptable travel documents and thus valid for travel to New Zealand if the holder meets immigration policy.

New Zealand has not recognized the republic of Kosovo as an independent state as yet as opposed to it’s close neighbour, Australia, which recognized Kosovo just two days after the declaration of independence. However, the recognition of the passports is a step forward towards recognition of Kosovo institutions.
Download the Department of Labour of NZ statement

See the complete list of passports

Flying for Kosovo: James begins his journey today!

James Berisha, a Kosovar-American, originally from Brestovc, Kosovo is beginning his journey today on May 25, 2009 departing at 8:00 am El Paso time (16:00 CET) with his single engine plane starting from El Paso, Texas, USA to more than 30 countries in Central and South America to rally support for newly independent Kosovo.

KosovoThanksYou team enthusiastically supports James’ project and goal to raise awareness among Central and South America countries regarding the Kosovo recognition.

We wish James a safe journey and we encourage him to  fly as a free bird for the independence of Kosovo!

For more information visit Flying for Kosovo

See flying tour map

ICJ: 35 UN Member States have filed written statements on advisory opinion about Kosovo’s Independence

International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced that 35 United Nations Member Sates have filed written statements on the advisory opinion about the Declaration of Independence by the Government of Kosovo. The texts of the written statements and of the written contribution are confidential at this stage of the proceedings.

Among the countries that have filed written statements, 21 have recognized  and 14 including Serbia have not recognized the Independence of Kosovo.

Countries that have recognized Kosovo (21): Albania, Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany,  Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Latvia, Maldives, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America.

Countries that have not recognized Kosovo (14): Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cyprus, Egypt, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Iran.

The decision about the advisory opinion is expected to be made sometime in the middle of next year.

See ICJ announcement

Update (1): Union of the Comoros recognize Kosovo

Update: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Kosovo has received a verbal note from the government of the Union of the Comoros in which the Foreign Minister of Comoros, Mr. Ahmed Ben Said Jaffar, offers his support and congratulations to Kosovo on its independence and wishes prosperity and stronger ties between the two states. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Kosovo is in process of confirming whether this verbal note also states intent of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries, and thus recognition.

The leader of the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR), Behgjet Pacolli said that the Union of the Comoros has recognized the independence of Kosovo. According to Mr. Pacolli, this decision will be formalized in due time with the Government of Republic of Kosovo. The exact date of the formal decision is not yet known.

The KosovoThanksYou team has contacted the Permanent Mission of the Union of the Comoros to the United Nations in New York, but was not able get confirmation of this news as the ambassador was on duty travel. KosovoThanksYou team is currently working on confirming this recognition with relevant authorities in the Comoros. We expect to attain confirmation early next week.

Relevant Reports: MFA of Kosovo, Gazeta Express

Republic of The Gambia recognizes Kosovo

Republic of The Gambia has recognized Kosovo as an independent state. The official note was sent today to the Embassy of Kosovo in Washintgon DC.

The recognition is formalized after the meeting of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Skender Hyseni with the ambassador of The Gambia to United Nations, Susan Waffa-Ogoo on March 26th, 2009.

The Gambia becomes the 57th country that has recognized Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state.

Download MFA of Kosovo announcement

Orchestral Version of Kosovo National Anthem now available

The Orchestral Version of the Kosovo National Anthem composed by Mendi Mengjiqi is now available at the Kosovo Thanks You website.

This recording of the Kosovo Anthem was performed by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Kosovo on February 17, 2009, marking the first anniversary of Kosovo’s Independence.

Until now, the only version available of Kosovo’s Anthem was the computerized MIDI version. The Kosovo Thanks You team is making this version public for the first time.

You need flash player to play this music.

Download Anthem (MP3):

Philharmonic Orchestra of Kosovo

United States Navy Band

MIDI

Related links:  State Symbols

Bahrain Parliament approves proposal on recognition of Kosovo

The Bahrain Parliament’s foreign affairs, defense and national security committee approved today in its weekly meeting a proposal on recognition on Kosovo’s independence.

The head of committee Sheikh Adel Al Muawda stressed for an immediate recognition of Kosovo Independence and establishing diplomatic relations with the new republic. The head of committee also urged Arab and Islamic countries to follow suit through the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Conference .

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The Republic of Kosovo welcomes 2009

2008 has been a very important year for the Republic of Kosovo. Our Republic has been recognized by 53 countries the world over, and with very good outlook for more recognitions to come in 2009. Predictions that foresaw instability for Europe have not come to fruition. In short, though a lot more could be done, 2008 can be marked as an important turning and starting point for the Republic of Kosovo.
In the next year, we hope to see an improved foreign policy, and more concrete plans for the economic development of our Republic. We are also hoping to see more activity in streamlining various processes for citizens, such as information about passports.
And of course, more recognitions.
We wish all our supporters, allies and friends a Happy New Year.
May peace and light continue to prevail in 2009.