The UNMIK describes its mandate as being to "help the United Nations Security Council achieve an overall objective, namely, to ensure conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all inhabitants of Kosovo and advance regional stability in the Western Balkans. The Assembly of Kosovo adopted the declaration of independence on 17 February ; [ 8 ] [ 9 ] Kosovo Serb parliamentarians boycotted the session.
The declaration violates the eighth article of the Constitution of Serbia. However, the International Court of Justice rendered an advisory opinion holding that Kosovo's declaration of independence was not in violation of international law nor of Security Council Resolution Kosovo is the subject of a long-running political and territorial dispute between the Serbian and previously, the Yugoslav government and Kosovo's largely ethnic Albanian population.
Public opinion polls indicate that a clear majority of the Kosovo's population support Kosovo's independence. Following a major internal restructuring of its activities in , this Pillar structure underwent a change.
Pillar II was split into two different pillars, the Pillar of Civil administration was retained. However, the Pillar of Humanitarian Affairs was dissolved and a new pillar, the Pillar of Police and justice replaced it having previously being under the jurisdiction of Pillar II. The UN, however, still monitored this enforcement. The European Union led economic development includes the privatisation of former government enterprises.
A UN-led political process began in late to determine Kosovo's future status. The initial status negotiations focused on technical issues important for Kosovo's long-term stability, particularly the rights and protection of Kosovo's minorities and especially the Kosovo Serbs.
