A Historic Turning Point for Kosovo’s Future
Eighteen years ago, on April 3, 2007, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held a closed-door session to review the Ahtisaari Plan, a proposal designed to grant Kosovo supervised independence. The session featured Martti Ahtisaari, the UN Special Envoy for Kosovo, who presented the comprehensive framework outlining Kosovo’s future status.
Diplomatic Controversy and Opposition
Although Kosovo’s then-president Fatmir Sejdiu was expected to address the council, opposition from Serbia and Russia led to the decision that his speech would instead be delivered by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Joachim Ruecker.
Meanwhile, Serbia’s nationalist Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica firmly rejected the plan, demanding new negotiations and different mediators. However, key Western nations—including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France—strongly backed the Ahtisaari proposal.
Key Provisions of the Ahtisaari Plan
The Ahtisaari Plan aimed to establish a multi-ethnic, democratic Kosovo with strong legal protections for minority communities. Some of its core provisions included:
- Self-Governance & International Recognition: Kosovo would govern itself democratically, uphold human rights, and have the right to seek membership in international organizations.
- Minority Rights Protections: Special measures ensured the protection of cultural, linguistic, and educational rights for Kosovo’s non-Albanian communities. Certain laws would require approval from non-Albanian representatives in Kosovo’s Assembly.
- Serbian Orthodox Church & Cultural Heritage: Over 40 key Serbian Orthodox religious and cultural sites were to be placed under protective zones to prevent unauthorized development. The Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) in Kosovo would be granted property rights, tax exemptions, and institutional recognition.
- Property Restitution & Missing Persons: Displaced persons had the right to return and reclaim property, while Kosovo and Serbia were urged to cooperate with the International Committee of the Red Cross to address the issue of missing persons.
- Security & Military Transition: A new, multi-ethnic Kosovo Security Force (KSF) was to be established, with 2,500 active personnel and 800 reservists. The Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC) was to be disbanded within a year.
International Oversight and Transition
Given the complexity of implementing these measures, the plan mandated continued international supervision:
- International Civilian Presence: A new International Civilian Representative (ICR), also the EU’s Special Representative, was to be appointed by an International Steering Group (ISG) to oversee the plan’s implementation.
- Authority of the ICR: Unlike the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the ICR had the authority to dismiss officials who failed to comply with the Ahtisaari Plan.
- 120-Day Transition Period: Upon the plan’s approval, Kosovo would undergo a four-month transition during which UNMIK’s mandate would remain unchanged. However, the ICR would immediately begin monitoring implementation.
- New Constitution & Elections: Within nine months of the plan’s enforcement, Kosovo was required to adopt a new constitution and hold general and local elections.
The Aftermath
Despite strong international backing, the Ahtisaari Plan never received full UN Security Council approval due to Russian opposition. However, its framework became the foundation for Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence and its ongoing state-building efforts.
