Kosovo

Kosovo is a landlocked territory in the western Balkans. It unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and is recognized by over 100 United Nations member states, but not by Serbia and several other countries, and it is not a UN member. The capital and largest city is Pristina. The population is about 1.8 million, predominantly ethnic Albanian, with minorities including Serbs, Bosniaks, Turks, and Romani. Albanian is the most widely spoken language; Serbian is also an official language, with minority languages receiving official status in some municipalities. The euro is used as the de facto currency.

Kosovo has a parliamentary republic framework. The president serves as head of state and the prime minister as head of government, while the unicameral Assembly has 120 seats. The territory is divided into seven districts and multiple municipalities. Since 2013, the EU-facilitated talks with Serbia have aimed to normalize relations, though the process remains unresolved in some issues. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization maintains security through the Kosovo Force (KFOR), a peacekeeping mission established in 1999.

Economically, Kosovo relies on services, trade, and remittances, with energy and mining as important sectors. The country faces development challenges, including unemployment and income disparities. Kosovo is a member of several international financial institutions, has pursued reforms, and is considered a potential candidate for EU membership, with ongoing efforts toward closer integration with European institutions and regional initiatives.