Very beloved citizens of our country,
Honoured Speaker of the Assembly Mr. Konjufca,
Honoured Prime Minister Kurti,
Honoured officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Kosovo Security Force,
Honoured members of the Kosovo Police,
Honoured families of KLA martyrs,
Honoured Excellencies Ambassadors,
Honoured representatives of the Kosovo institutions,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am proud to be here today in front of you at this parade of our army and police on the 14th anniversary of the Republic of Kosovo. Fourteen years of the statehood of Kosovo are not many, but also not few to remember the difficult path to make the state.
These boys and girls who will parade in front of you are the best personification of the state of Kosovo. They are not only our security, but also the guarantee for every corner of the territory of Kosovo.
They are the identity of our new state, for which we have given great effort and which we are building more and more each day, we are strengthening it more and more each day and we are consolidating it more and more each day.
As our police and military forces march on the squares of Prishtina, there is no possibility not to remember the sacrifice of many generations for freedom, the period of peaceful resistance and that of armed resistance, the iconic work of historical
President Dr. Ibrahim Rugova for freedom, independence and democracy, the sublime sacrifice of about 3 thousand KLA martyrs who together with their leader, legendary commander Adem Jashari and his family gave everything for our freedom. And above all, there is no possibility not to remember how painful and full of sacrifices the road to freedom was for each of you, dear citizens of Kosovo. About 13 thousand civilians killed, of which many are still missing, about 20 thousand women raped during the war who are still seeking justice, and a lot of damage, other destructions aimed at our extermination show that justice has not yet been established and we call for justice every day.
On this great day for our country, we must not stop repeating: Thank you America, thank you NATO and thanks to all the friend countries who came to our aid in 1999 to protect us from the extermination by the genocidal Milosevic regime!
Each one of the people of this state has done something for this day. Everyone in his own way has done something for Kosovo to become a state, so today we are here and we bow with the greatest respect to all those who made our dream for a state a reality.
Today, we have reason to celebrate, because our state has already built its profile. A small, but big-hearted state, which aims membership into the European Union, NATO, the United Nations and other international organizations where we will be able to give our contribution. The most pro-American, most pro-European and most pro-NATO people have a clear path ahead. We are not only a geographical part of Europe, but we are part of it, because we share common values and aim to reach the Euro-Atlantic structures.
On this path, Kosovo has already proved itself, both with the commitment to strengthening the state, as well as with the strengthening of its vital institutions.
Our army that will parade before you today is prepared and professional in defending the sovereignty and territory of the Republic of Kosovo. This Force is also prepared to be the most serious partner of our alliance with partners in the service of peace. Today, at the head of this Force is Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari, who, like Adem Jashari who gilded the symbol of the KLA, his nephew today carries on his shoulders the important process of the transformation of our army and its splendor until NATO membership.
Dear citizens,
Kosovo’s independence is our greatest achievement. This is our national project, a reality that bears the stamp of our national commitment best summed up in internal sustainability and external integration. These are two basic preconditions for the future of our country.
The institutions with all their mechanisms are guarantees that they will not allow the violation of the territorial integrity and the legal order of our Republic. We will be attentive and determined. Republic is the interest above all.
We have a lot in common with Europe, but nothing separates us. In this journey we must preserve our freedom, independence and democracy. We must strengthen the rule of law, further improve governance in the interest of citizens, strengthen institutions and further develop the country’s economy.
This is the Kosovo that our citizens are waiting for, this is the Kosovo for which they sacrificed a lot and which we all want!
This is also the legacy of our visionaries and heroes. Therefore, this loyalty to them is also shown by the uniform of the police officers who will be marching today and makes it even more meaningful.
In a rare recording of him, Commander Adem Jashari was heard saying, I am quoting him: “Besa-besë (loyalty) … only one death because we have no other in this life and a good word. We have said that whatever happens to us together we will give our lives and only besa- besë (loyalty), there is nothing else in the muzzle of the rifle”.
Dear citizens!
As we remember our straight but challenging journey to an independent state, let us not forget how long our path to freedom has been, and how great our pride must be for having achieved it. Let us remember that the creation of the state of Kosovo has been the dream of dozens of generations, which our generation had the fortune to conclude and live. Therefore, let us congratulate each other today on this great day, extending the memory to history; let us re-summarize the power and consolidate our state more and more each day, our dream, which we are seeing alive every day; let us deepen the love for our homeland, because only by loving it do we make our Republic even more beautiful and dignified for our citizens. As our poet, Ali Podrimja said, in his emblematic verse: Kosovo is our blood which can not be given away! We, its sons and daughters, are responsible for its fate.
God bless the Republic of Kosovo!
God bless her army and police!
God bless all of you, dear citizens!
Thank you!