President Begaj’s Address At The State Reception On The 17th Anniversary Of Kosova’s Independence

President Begaj’s Address at the State Reception on the 17th Anniversary of Kosova’s Independence

The independence of Kosova is a testament to resilience, a sacred trust, a triumph of sacrifice, and belief in the right of an indigenous people to live freely, with dignity, in a state equal among equals.

The independence of Kosova came as a deserved result of the titanic efforts of a people who never bent or surrendered to injustice and genocide.

Today and forever, we honor the architect of the independence of the Republic of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova, the historic leader and President of Kosova, and Adem Demaci. We honor the legendary commander Adem Jashari and the Kosova Liberation Army, the blood of martyrs, and the sacrifices of thousands of men and women, the tears and pain of mothers, and the signatories of independence.

26 years ago, the issue of Kosova united states and nations. With the support of our Euro-Atlantic allies and the decisive intervention of NATO against terror, war crimes, and Serbian genocide, the path to freedom was opened, and the state of Kosova was created—a significant achievement for the Albanian nation in this century.

The Republic of Kosova is increasingly a contributor to peace, dialogue, and coexistence. It possesses the strength, courage, and vision to look forward. Kosova has proven not only its ability to demand, defend, and respect freedom and democracy but also to fulfill its responsibilities to its citizens and the international community.

Albania and Kosova, the Albanian factor in the region, are faithful allies of the United States of America and the European Union, committed allies of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance and its values in the region. Albanians will always be deeply grateful for their unwavering support. We believe that a United Europe is our strategic and vital destination, a project serving peace, democracy, security, stability, and prosperity. Albanians believe in the European Union, the values it represents, and the commitment to enlargement, but the non-recognition of the state of Kosova is an act that contradicts this commitment. We hope that these countries will reconsider their positions and that the European Union will lift the unjust sanctions imposed on the state of Kosova.

We must be very clear about our Euro-Atlantic values and work tirelessly to strengthen our strategic alliances. Peace, freedom, and democracy are realities that must be nurtured and protected at all times, with all our might.

Albania will always stand by Kosova, in all its efforts and achievements. We will support and endorse the Republic of Kosova whenever and wherever, in every regional integration initiative, in international organizations, on the path to European integration, and for new recognitions.

Our cooperation is a responsibility; it is the path to strengthening our own states to enhance the influence of the Albanian factor in the region and beyond, and also to strengthen the Albanian nation.

This cooperation has an extraordinary potential not yet fully exploited, and above all, we have a gem, which is the Albanian language, that needs to be preserved, developed, enriched, and passed on.

Our citizens expect more interaction and cooperation, more tangible results and economic exchanges, more ease in markets and joint initiatives, less bureaucracy, or misunderstandings.

Throughout our ancient history, we Albanians have never received political gifts from anyone. We have had to fight for our most basic rights: freedom, independence, our language. Today, we enjoy them, and for this, we are proud. And with this pride comes a responsibility for the challenges ahead.

We must love the Albanian nation with divine strength, work together with human strength to preserve freedom, to strengthen peace, democracy, and stability, to work together for prosperity and integration, to be builders of the prosperous future of the Albanian nation.

Long live the Independence, the Republic of Kosova, an independent, sovereign, and democratic state!