A new constitution has come into force in Kosovo, following the territory's declaration of independence from Serbia in February.
From today, the government there assumes many of the powers held until now by the UN. The European Union will take up a supervisory role.
It is being welcomed by ethnic Albanians, who make up the majority of the population.
However, the Serb minority remains bitterly opposed to independence, and it is unclear who will exercise authority in Serb-dominated areas.
