Since yesterday, Sunday February 17 2008, a new state has appeared on Europe’s map. After a long and bloody struggle as Yugoslavia disintegrated, Kosovo finally managed to win and declare its independence. However, this event that could turn out to be huge for the Eastern Europe wouldn’t have had a chance to occur without foreign help.

As Kosovo’s government officially proclaimed the independence of the new born country it also vowed that the majority ethnic Albanian population will embrace its embittered Serb minority and make efforts to form a multiethnic, democratic nation.

“From today onwards, Kosovo is proud, independent and free,” Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said in an address to parliament.

Several countries quickly declared they will not recognize Kosovo as a state and condemned its independence. Serbia and its ally Russia were the first countries to condemn the event. On the other side are the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union. The US will most probably recognize the new state as soon as possible as is most of the European Union.

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica talked about his country’s decision not to recognize Kosovo’s independence. For most Serbs, Kosovo represents the cradle of their country’s civilization and home to some of its most treasured Orthodox churches and monasteries. This is the main reason why Serbia would never recognize the unilateral declaration.

“For as long as the Serbian nation exists, Kosovo will remain Serbia,” “We do not recognize the forced creation of a state within our territory.” said Kostunica in a nationally televised address.

The event triggered mixed reactions. In Belgrade, infuriated Serbs attacked the Slovenian and U.S. embassies. Some media reports said most of the aggressors were local soccer hooligans. On the other side of what is now a border, Kosovo's inhabitants, mostly Albanians, seized the moment and celebrated with fireworks late into the night after their parliament’s declaration.

The EU meets today to discuss a common position over Kosovo’s independence declaration. This will most certainly prove to be a difficult process as it will be hard to find a common position with countries like Romania, Spain, Cyprus and Greece which expect to have problems with their separatist ethnic groups.

Dimitrij Rupel Foreign Minister of Slovenia which is currently holding the presidency of the EU said he believes many of the block’s member states will recognize Kosovo’s independence.