Kosovo national flying the world for recognition

Kosovo national James Berisha is doing his part to have his country’s independence recognized by the rest of the world.

The 37-year-old pilot is travelling the world in his single engine, four-seater Cessna airplane, meeting with the press and policy holders in an effort to raise awareness for one of the world’s newest countries, once a state in the former Yugoslavia.{{more}}

Kosovo declared its independence on February 17, 2008. The country, with a population of just over two million persons, joined former states Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Serbia in gaining independence after years of conflict which saw millions losing their lives in the struggle.

Dedicating his mission to the memory of his father who was one of those slain during the period of unrest, Berisha left his El Paso, Texas, home on May 25 last year, beginning his ‘Flying for Kosovo’ campaign, covering over sixty countries, including Central and South America, and now beginning the Caribbean leg of his mission.

He had flown to Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada before landing at the E T Joshua Airport on Tuesday, making this country his fourth Caribbean stop.

He indicated that he had met with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including ministry head and Deputy Prime Minister Sir Louis Straker.

Berisha said that his meeting with these officials was promising and that he hoped that the visit would bring closer ties between his country and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

According to Berisha, of the 192 countries in the world, only 65 have recognized his country’s independence; one in the Caribbean (the Dominican Republic).

He indicated that for Kosovo to become a member of some of the major world organization such as the United Nations, NATO and the European Union, it must be acknowledged by at least half of the world’s nations.

With funding from private donors, along with his own savings, the pilot with 17 years experience indicated that he intends to visit at least ten more countries before taking a break.

Berisha left here for Barbados on Wednesday, then heads north before flying back to the United States.

Persons can follow Berisha’s progress on his website www.flyingforkosovo.com.