On 2 February 2007, UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari submitted his proposal on Kosovo’s status to both Prishtina and Belgrade, marking a historic step toward the creation of an independent Kosovo.
While the plan did not explicitly mention “independence”, it laid out a framework for a sovereign, multi-ethnic, and democratic Kosovo, including:
- Protection of minority rights and cultural heritage
- Effective decentralization of government powers
- Security and economic measures to ensure stability
- International supervision through civilian and military presence
The Kosovar leadership welcomed the plan, while the Serbian government rejected it, citing threats to its sovereignty. Despite this, Kosovar leaders believed the international process would culminate in independence, a belief realized shortly after the final high-level meetings between Prishtina and Belgrade.
Negotiations mediated by Ahtisaari began in July 2006 in Vienna and concluded there on 10 March 2007. On 26 March 2007, Ahtisaari submitted his final report to the UN Secretary-General, recommending supervised independence for Kosovo.
Kosovar leaders at the time hailed the moment as historic:
- President Fatmir Sejdiu described it as a step toward peace.
- Prime Minister Agim Çeku emphasized that the proposed supervised independence aligned with the will of the people.
Reactions in Belgrade and among local Serbs in Kosovo were diametrically opposed, supported by Russia, which later vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have implemented the Ahtisaari Plan.
Even internationally mediated talks, including efforts by the so-called “trio” of Frank Wisner (USA), Wolfgang Ischinger (Germany), and Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko (Russia), failed to achieve a consensus.
Ultimately, on 17 February 2008, Kosovo declared independence, taking control of its own destiny in coordination with the international community.
The Ahtisaari Plan remains a cornerstone in Kosovo’s state-building history, despite the complex opposition from Serbia and Russia that continues to influence regional politics.
