A national anthem for Kosovo

Just days before adopting a new constitution, the parliament in Pristina has adopted a national anthem for Kosovo. For the moment there are no lyrics for Mendi Mengjiqi’s composition, a deliberate decision to avoid offending Kosovo’s Serb minority.

Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said it was important that everyone could ‘own’ the anthem. “There is definitely a sense of closure as Kosovo continues to build a state,” he said. “Today, we have unanimously approved the national anthem of the republic. In the coming days, the constitution will come into effect.”

Kosovo unveiled its new flag in February when it unilaterally declared independence nine years after the United Nations wrested control of the province from Serbia.

Copyright © 2012 euronews