33 Countries of Origin’ Profiles

16 privatized its electricity supply and distribution network. The US Government is cooperating with the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and the World Bank to conclude a commercial tender for the construction of Kosovo C, a new lignite -fired power plant that would leverage Kosovo‘s large lignite reserves. MED also has plans for the rehabilitation of an older coal power plant, Kosovo B, and the development of a coal mine that could supply both plants. GOVERNMENT OF KOSOVO Christian Miller The Government of Kosovo exercises executive authority in the Republic of Kosovo. It is composed of government ministers, and is led by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is elected by the Assembly of Kosovo. Ministers are nominated by the Prime Minister, and then confirmed by the Assembly. Isa Mustafa i s the current Prime Minister of Kosovo. He was elected after the June 8, 2014 elections. His government consists of Albanians, as well as ministers from Kosovo's minorities, which include Bosniaks, T urks a nd Serbs. Self-declared independence Talks initiated by the UN in 2005 on the future of Kosovo led in 2007 to a plan, submitted by UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari, that laid the groundwork for self-rule but stopped just short of full independence. Rapid endorsement of the plan by Kosovar Albanians was countered with intransigent o pposition from the Serbian government. Months of further talks between Serbian and Kosovar leaders failed to resolve Kosovo‘s future status, and by early 2008 Kosovo was determined to secede. John B. AllcockJ ohn R. Lampe On February 17, 2008, Kosovo formally declared independence. Serbia, backed b y Russia, called the declaration illegal. Serbs living in Kosovo largely opposed Kosovar independence as well; they soon elected their own assembly as a direct challenge to Kosovo‘s new constitution, which took effect in June. In October the UN General Assembly, following a request by Serbia, submitted the question of the legality of Kosovo‘s independence to the International Court of Justice. Meanwhile, Russian objections postponed the withdrawal of the UN mission, which ultimately was expected to transfer its powers of oversight to the European Union ( EU). The EU finally deployedi ts mission, known as Eulex, in December. Eulex, made up of about