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DR. VJOSA OSMANI SADRIU
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO
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President Thaçi: The KSF will serve all citizens without ethnic differences

Prishtina, December 13, 2018 – The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, inspected today the soldiers of the Kosovo Security Force and delivered a speech in front of them, only one day before the Kosovo Assembly takes the decision to change the mandate of the KSF.

In front of about 400 soldiers and superiors of the KSF, President Thaçi said that the decision on the change and advancement of the mandate of the Kosovo Security Force, giving the KSF the powers of a proper army, is mostly the merit of the soldiers and citizens of Kosovo.

President Thaçi emphasized that, after the great successes and the involvement of every community in the Kosovo Security Force, the KSF is ready for a new mission and role.

The Head of State has said that the KSF is an example of how communities should be integrated into the social and institutional life of a democratic state, where every citizen is an asset for the state.

“I assure all communities in Kosovo, and especially the Serb community, that the KSF will continue to serve all citizens, without ethnic differences”, said President Thaçi.

 

This is the full speech of the President of Kosovo in front of the KSF soldiers:

Honourable members of the Kosovo Security Force,

Soldiers and officers of the Republic of Kosovo,

Good day!

I am honoured to address you at this time of the end of the year holidays, which for you as soldiers of the Republic of Kosovo, for us and for our country, this time, are more special.

I know that you honourable soldiers, are experiencing these days differently and with powerful emotions.

This is understandable, because there are only a few hours left until the long-awaited moment and decision. This process is flowing naturally as a result of your extraordinary work and dedication.

You, with the support of all the citizens of Kosovo, have long worked for the establishment of our army.

Our army will always be ready to serve to the cultivation and strengthening of peace in the country, the region and the world.

The decision on the change and advancement of the mandate of the Kosovo Security Force, giving the KSF the powers of the proper army, is mostly your merit.

It is the merit of every citizen of Kosovo. Therefore, today every citizen of the country should feel proud.

Today I am among you to thank you on behalf of the citizens and the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.

I am here today to congratulate all the citizens of Kosovo for our army.

Kosovo, congratulations on the army!

 

Honourable soldiers,

Your journey symbolizes the movement and development of our state.

We have faced many challenges to date, but we have achieved the goal.

Today, you members of the Kosovo Security Force, with dignity and pride, are representing Kosovo all over the world.

Your results are excellent. You are succeeding in international races, alongside the armies of the most professional and most powerful countries in the world.

With your work, with your successes, our people are proud every day.

 

Honourable soldiers of Kosovo,

From this month, you, the best boys and girls of our nation, will have a new mandate, a new mission, as a Kosovo Security Force, respectively you are the army of Kosovo.

Congratulations, Kosovo!

You will serve and protect with dignity and pride the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Kosovo, contributing also to the building and preservation of regional and global stability.

 

Honourable soldiers,

The development of the Kosovo Army is distinct and different from the armies of many other states.

Our people created the army before gaining freedom, independence, and the state.

After demilitarization, we created the Kosovo Protection Corps.

Then, by raising the level of preparation, we advanced to the Kosovo Security Force.

It was a long and troublesome process. But always oriented towards achieving a clear goal for the benefit of all the citizens of our country.

Five years ago, during the security sector review process, it was rightly concluded that the KSF is ready for a new role and mission.

Honourable soldiers,

Let me mention a fact you always knew.

For the citizens and institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, you have always been de facto, soldiers and the KSF, the Kosovo Army.

However, now all the political forces in the country are unique, in order to bring the deserved decision, for the KSF to be transformed into a professional and multiethnic army by law approved by the Assembly of Kosovo.

The Kosovo Assembly will solemnly issue the decision on this process.

But today, tomorrow and forever, all the people of Kosovo look up to you.

With respect.

With reverence.

With pride.

And thank and congratulate you on the army of Kosovo

 

Honoured soldiers,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Citizens of the Republic of Kosovo,

The Kosovo Security Force has developed into a professional force, prepared according to NATO standards, with multi-ethnic composition and gender-worthy representation.

The involvement of every community in the Kosovo Security Force sends the best possible message.

It shows the values and principles of our society.

It shows how communities should be integrated into the social and institutional life of a democratic state, where every citizen is an asset for the state.

Therefore, I assure all communities in Kosovo, and especially the Serb community, that the KSF will continue to serve all citizens, without any ethnic differences.

The KSF is the most trusted institution for the citizens of Kosovo. Therefore, as President and Supreme Commander of the Kosovo Army, I am proud of your achievements and successes. I am grateful to each of you for the continued contribution you have given to get here.

At the same time, I encourage you and urge you to also continue to contribute in the future, to be an example of how a professional force in service of the state must be.

Since the beginning, the development, structuring and organization of the Kosovo Security Force has been based on the best practices of countries with developed democracies. Even the current process through which our force with the new mandate is passing,  will be based precisely on these practices.

The transformation of the Kosovo Security Force is a contributing factor for the stability and security of our region and beyond.

We assure all our strategic partners, NATO and all states that want sustainable peace in this part of the world, that the Kosovo Security Force will always be in the service and protection of all their citizens and property, without any distinction.

And, as Supreme Commander of the Kosovo Security Force, I say with full conviction that this force is and will remain our pride!

Soldiers of the Republic of Kosovo, congratulations on the new tasks. Perform them with honour and responsibility.

Congratulations!

Thank you!

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