Kosovo declared its independence in February 2008 under a “supervised independence” plan, which allowed for some level of political and economic autonomy, while maintaining international oversight of its institutions. The aim was to ensure stability and security in the region following a history of conflict and tensions with Serbia.
The European Union and other international bodies played a critical role in facilitating this process, with EULEX (the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo) deployed to oversee the implementation of the plan and assist in building democratic institutions. Despite this declaration of independence, Serbia continues to refuse to recognize Kosovo's sovereignty, resulting in ongoing disputes and challenges to Kosovo's international status.
In summary, Kosovo's independence involved a balance of self-governance and international oversight, particularly in military and political aspects, but the situation remains complicated by Serbia's stance and the broader geopolitical context in the Balkans.