r/europe • u/MarktpLatz Lower Saxony (Germany) • Aug 28 '17

What do you know about... Kosovo?

This is the thirty-second part of our ongoing series about the countries of Europe. You can find an overview here.

Today's country:

Kosovo

Kosovo is a partially recognized state in the balkan. It belonged to the Ottoman empire from the 15th until the beginning of the 20th century. After being part of Yugoslavia for most of the 20th century, Kosovo unilaterally declared independence in 2008. It has been recognized as a country by 111 nations, but Serbia refuses to recognize it as a souverign state. Notable european countries refusing to recognize Kosovo include Spain (because of separatist movements in Spain), Greece and Russia (there are several more, you can check the list linked).

So, what do you know about Kosovo?

Major thanks to /u/our_best_friend, who took care of these threads during my absence.

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u/[deleted] Aug 29 '17

The reason why Albanians from Kosovo wave the Albanian flag is because they identify as Albanians first and foremost. This new "Kosovar" identity is imposed to them by the West and will not be embraced. I was at the Euros last year and I'd say the majority of Albania fans were Kosovar-Albanians, with droves travelling from Switzerland. The seeds for the modern Albanian nationalist movement were planted in Kosovo with the Prizren League in 1878. The most reasonable solution is to unify the Albanian dominated areas with Albania but we all know that's never gonna be allowed by the Europeans so this monstrosity will continue.

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u/Anton-Slavik Serbia Aug 29 '17

The most reasonable wish fulfilment solution is to unify the Albanian dominated areas with Albania

That's one way to start a war.

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u/[deleted] Aug 29 '17

Yeah well with Serbia the mere existence of Albanians in Kosovo is casus belli so I don't really see the point of really caring about what Serbia thinks. I also said only Albanian dominated areas should unify with Albania and will be happy ceding the areas in North Kosovo to Serbia.

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u/Anton-Slavik Serbia Aug 29 '17

the mere existence of Albanians in Kosovo is casus belli

Not really. I could coexist with Albanians in Kosovo & Metohija, but they clearly have no interest in coexisting with Serbs as shown by their past, present and quite possibly future actions, so I won't bother and waste my time on utterly pointless gestures of civility which will avail me absolutely nothing.

I also said only Albanian dominated areas should unify with Albania and will be happy ceding the areas in North Kosovo to Serbia.

Of course you'd be happy. A thief is always happy with a robbery that doesn't wind up with him being punished for it.

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u/[deleted] Aug 29 '17

You don't deserve an answer but I'll just leave this Dobrica Cosic quote about Serbs here for you "“We lie to deceive ourselves, to console others; we lie for mercy, we lie to fight fear, to encourage ourselves, to hide our and somebody else’s misery. We lie for love and honesty. We lie because of freedom. Lying is the trait of our patriotism and the proof of our innate smartness. We lie creatively, imaginatively, inventively.” Have a great day.

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u/Anton-Slavik Serbia Aug 30 '17

Oh no, someone said something and that totally makes it true, forever!

Also, to which part of my post are you implying I'm lying about? The coexistence part? No, that's quite true. But I don't believe in acting civilized with those that have no interest in reciprocating.

I'm sure I could find a quote of one of your own people criticizing/disparaging the Albanian people, but honestly, why bother? I judge people on the individual level and avoid generalization whenever possible.