Kosovo on Thursday celebrated the third anniversary of its declaration of independence from Serbia amidst a dismal economic outlook, political difficulties, and the international image tarnished by a report of alleged trafficking in organs in the late 1990s.
On 17 February, acting President Jakup Krasniqi called on Kosovans in his televised address to continue investing efforts in the building of their country.
"We face difficult tasks to strengthen our identity and international credibility," he said, adding that in the past three years, Kosovo had set up a democratic system and state institutions and attained good economic and social development.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton congratulated Kosovo on its anniversary in a message sent on behalf of President Barack Obama. She expressed confidence that dynamic and committed young people could participate in the building of a transparent, democratic and well-managed country.
The European Union's special envoy to Pristina, Pieter Feith, issued an optimistic message about the country's impressive progress over the last three years.
So far 75 countries worldwide have recognised Kosovo, including 22 members of the 27-strong European Union.
Serbia insists on Kosovo being its constituent element.
Under an agreement reached in the autumn of 2010 under the auspices of the EU, Belgrade and Pristina should begin dialogue on practical issues such as telecommunications, customs administration and later expand the talks to tackle the issue of people who went missing in the 1998-1999 armed conflict.
A date for the start of negotiations has not yet been set. Kosovo should first get a new government following early elections last December.
