On this day in 2001, the distribution of the first travel documents were issued by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosova (UNMIK). Following the end of the brutal war in 1998-1999 in Kosova, the country remained limited in administrative capacities. This included human capacities and required knowledge of the function of the institutions necessary for the transition to a modern state. Thus, the UN mandated the official mission UNMIK to help establish a Kosovar government with legitimate authority and capacity.

The duties of UNMIK, among others, were to support the reconstruction of key infrastructure, maintain civil law and order, and perform basic civilian administrative functions. Additionally, part of this mission was to issue travel documents for the citizens of Kosova. This process was rather rigorous and demanding because it involved several institutions which were not prepared to issue travel documents.

According to the “UNMIK REGULATION NO. 2000/18 ON TRAVEL DOCUMENTS “, per definition “Travel Document” means the UNMIK Travel Document issued to persons having the status of habitual residents of Kosovo. This travel document, however, was different from the traditional travel documents, as it did not confer nationality upon its holder, nor did it affect in any way the holder’s national status. Additionally, it did not guarantee its holder admission to any State, and it was valid for up to 24 months from the date of the issue due to UNMIK’s undefined lifespan in Kosova.  The UNMIK travel documents were replaced by the Kosova passports starting on July 31st, 2009.