Kosovo, which has a population of two million, has used Albanian and Serbian national symbols since NATO's 78-day bombing campaign against the former Yugoslavia ended a war between Serb forces and Muslim Albanian separatists in 1999 and the region became a UN protectorate.
But under a UN plan for Kosovo independence, a newly formed state must have its own distinctive symbols that "reflect its multiethnic character...and commitment to a common future in a spirit of respect and tolerance in Kosovo."
According to the announcement disseminated by local media, the competition will be open to local residents and foreigners until June 27, and the design "must not utilize the representation of any eagle symbol, particularly with regard to such depictions in the symbols of other states, and must not exclusively use a red and black color scheme, or a red, white and blue color scheme."
A black eagle on a red background is currently depicted on the Albanian flag, while the red-white-blue scheme represents the Serbian flag.
The winner of the contest will be awarded 10,000 euros (about $13,000), while the second prize is 7,000 euros ($9,000) and third prize is 5,000 euros ($6,700).
The West has been pushing for a UN vote this week on the plan for Kosovo drafted by envoy Martti Ahtisaari, which has been welcomed by the Albanian majority in Kosovo, but strongly opposed by the Serb minority, Serbia and Russia.
President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his position on the issue in Russia Saturday while meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, who said "seizing 15% of the territory of a UN member state" would set a "severe precedent of violating international law."
Serbia has also been strongly opposed to independence for Kosovo, its historical and spiritual center for centuries.
However, U.S. President George W. Bush said Sunday it was time to grant Kosovo independence, pursued by the Balkan region's Albanian majority.
At a news conference in Albania, Bush pledged further U.S. efforts to grant the province independence from Serbia.
"Independence is the goal. That's what the people of Kosovo need to know," Bush said. "We believe Kosovo ought to be independent."
Bush said he expected Russia, which has opposed a UN vote on Kosovo's internationally supervised sovereignty, to change its mind.
