Post by Balkaneros on Feb 16, 2013 10:00:58 GMT -5
As it prepares to mark five years of independence on Sunday, Kosovo is closer than ever to normalising ties with long-time foe Serbia, but for many in the impoverished territory there is little to cheer.
Almost 100 countries have recognized Kosovo since ethnic Albanians proclaimed independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008, although Belgrade itself still considers the breakaway region its southern province.
The political progress, however, has been overshadowed by the daily struggles of Kosovans, who say the euphoria of independence has worn off as they deal with the practical realities of living in disputed territory in one of Europe's poorest regions.
==== campaigning for recognitions doesn't create jobs you dumbos.
Five years ago, designer Yll Rugova and his friends took to the streets of Pristina to celebrate Kosovo's new status with a banner reading "Independence is better than sex".
"Now, that day does not seem to me a day of celebration," the 28-year-old told AFP.
-----LOL !!! what a disappointment for this 28 year old virgin
Over a third of Kosovo's 1.8 million people live on less than a dollar a day and gross domestic product per capita is one of the lowest in Europe at 2,600 euros ($3,500) a year, according to the World Bank.
------This is terrible, yet the sham continues....
Pristina has struggled to tackle organised crime and corruption, according to the European Commission's latest report, and unemployment stands at 40 percent.
Youngsters in Kosovo face "a miserable economy and lack of opportunities for a normal life," said 28-year-old social scientist Agon Hamza.
---- Go to America ! there's your solution...
Aside from the gloomy economic environment, ordinary people's lives are complicated by its testy ties with Belgrade.
In an effort to ease tensions, much of the EU-sponsored talks have focussed on resolving some of these daily headaches, for instance by easing border controls or recognising each other's university diplomas.
... read more
www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130215/independence-joy-wanes-kosovo-marks-fifth-anniversary
what a joke ... the first article to talk about celebration of Kosovo's "Independence" gets aligned with misery, complications and failures.... that's the real status of things... DISPUTED TERRITORY
Almost 100 countries have recognized Kosovo since ethnic Albanians proclaimed independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008, although Belgrade itself still considers the breakaway region its southern province.
The political progress, however, has been overshadowed by the daily struggles of Kosovans, who say the euphoria of independence has worn off as they deal with the practical realities of living in disputed territory in one of Europe's poorest regions.
==== campaigning for recognitions doesn't create jobs you dumbos.
Five years ago, designer Yll Rugova and his friends took to the streets of Pristina to celebrate Kosovo's new status with a banner reading "Independence is better than sex".
"Now, that day does not seem to me a day of celebration," the 28-year-old told AFP.
-----LOL !!! what a disappointment for this 28 year old virgin
Over a third of Kosovo's 1.8 million people live on less than a dollar a day and gross domestic product per capita is one of the lowest in Europe at 2,600 euros ($3,500) a year, according to the World Bank.
------This is terrible, yet the sham continues....
Pristina has struggled to tackle organised crime and corruption, according to the European Commission's latest report, and unemployment stands at 40 percent.
Youngsters in Kosovo face "a miserable economy and lack of opportunities for a normal life," said 28-year-old social scientist Agon Hamza.
---- Go to America ! there's your solution...
Aside from the gloomy economic environment, ordinary people's lives are complicated by its testy ties with Belgrade.
In an effort to ease tensions, much of the EU-sponsored talks have focussed on resolving some of these daily headaches, for instance by easing border controls or recognising each other's university diplomas.
... read more
www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130215/independence-joy-wanes-kosovo-marks-fifth-anniversary
what a joke ... the first article to talk about celebration of Kosovo's "Independence" gets aligned with misery, complications and failures.... that's the real status of things... DISPUTED TERRITORY