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President Osmani's address at the manifestation marking the 110th anniversary of the Junik Assembly

Junik, May 23rd 2022 – Under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, a manifestation was held in honour of the marking of the 110th anniversary of the Assembly of Junik, attended by the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, the President of Albania Ilir Meta, the mayor of Junik Ruzhdi Shehu and many personalities of political and cultural life in the country. Following is the President Osmani's full address: Honourable President of the Republic of Albania, our great friend Mr. Ilir Meta! Honourable mayor of Junik, Mr. Shehu! Distinguished representatives of the families of martyrs, heroes, war invalids of our Liberation Army, Honourable deputies, ministers, Dear citizens of Junik, Kosovo and Albania It is a great pleasure to be able to return to your beautiful city within two years, to mark together with you one of the most important events in our national history, the Junik Assembly. This pleasure becomes even greater because this year we come here to mark an important jubilee of this assembly, its 110th anniversary. Moreover, we are marking this anniversary as in the time of the Assembly, with representatives coming from all Albanian lands, from Albania, Northern Macedonia, Montenegro, the Presheva Valley and of course from the Republic of Kosovo.  Dear citizens of Junik! In the history of the ancient people, just like ours, whose existence is measured by millennia, 110 years of history is not that much. But, in the millennial histories of the nations there are some events that always carry an inspiring message because they manage to connect the pieces of history in the arc of their ambitions. The Assembly of Junik, held on May 21st -25th 1912, at the time of great upheavals and endless efforts of the Albanian people for freedom and independence and the predatory intentions of the neighbours marks not only an important historical event, but also an example of clear articulation political demands of our people for freedom, articulating them on a pure national platform, which included three important dimensions: national, political and military. Therefore, today, when we are jointly marking the 110th anniversary of this assembly, it is time to remember with piety its participants and to bow to them for their patriotic vision, depth of thought and wisdom of action, to thank them for pure national orientation and the political platform they created. It was a weighty stone in the struggle for the independence of Albanian lands. Dear participants! The Junik Assembly was held at a crucial moment in the history of the Albanian people and supported their efforts for self-determination. Therefore, it does enter the course of important national events, as it provided a clear platform for freedom. Astoundingly, on May 21st to 25th of the year of independence, representatives of different Albanian territories, of the then vilayets, gathered together, in this place of historical resistance, which is symbolized today by the stone towers, so beautiful, which you are carefully preserving, to design the first national platform for independent Albania. Led by the ideologist of the Albanian cause, Hasan Prishtina, and supported by more than 250 delegates from Albanian territories, representatives of Albanian vilayets and sanjaks such as Shkodra and Elbasan, the Assembly of Junik presents a strong political, military and cultural platform for the implementation of the independent Albanian state. He gave tremendous impetus to the efforts for national liberation. The Assembly strengthened these efforts in several dimensions: First, the assembly played an extraordinary role in coordinating the efforts of the Albanian people to organize a military uprising on a national scale. The call made to the Albanian people to unite under the leadership of a single national committee was crucial to centralize and unite the efforts for freedom. He set up a single committee, which would then lead the fight. The Assembly itself managed to make it clear that national consciousness had been raised to a high level and that any attempt to undermine the determination of Albanians for freedom would only further homogenize it.    However, the Junik Assembly did not only unite military figures. He also joined the efforts for prudent and determined political action. In addition to clearly articulating the determination of the Albanians to continue at all costs of the war and the struggle for freedom, the Assembly approved the political program for the recognition of autonomy, as a first step towards the independence of the Albanian vilayets and decided to raise the national flag everywhere. Albanian lands. The Assembly further transcended the boundaries of an assembly at the core of which is the effort to consolidate the struggle for freedom, and provided a clear cultural as well as a political platform. He loudly reaffirmed the western orientation of the Albanian people, insisting that the official language in the Albanian territories be the Albanian language and reaffirming the attitude of the people of knowledge and culture, that we should use the Albanian alphabet in Latin letters in our country. Thus, the Assembly marked a clear pro-Western orientation, an orientation which Albanians have demonstrated over the centuries at crucial points in their history.   Dear citizens of Junik,   Dear participants,   The Junik Assembly marks not only a historic date but also a date of remembrance. It marks a turning point for political and cultural activities and for the realization of our national goals. It also served as a narrative for many girls and boys who gave their lives for the homeland, including the girls and boys of the Kosovo Liberation Army who fought for our freedom and independence. The wisdom, dedication and bravery of the participants of the Junik Assembly and especially their political and cultural foresight in those gloomy times for us are a constant point of reference to which we must constantly return and from which each of us must learn. As institutions, as people involved in politics but also as people of knowledge and culture we must take care that the political heritage of this Assembly,

President Osmani's address at the manifestation marking the 110th anniversary of the Junik Assembly

Junik, May 23rd 2022 – Under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, a manifestation was held in honour of the marking of the 110th anniversary of the Assembly of Junik, attended by the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, the President of Albania Ilir Meta, the mayor of Junik Ruzhdi Shehu and many personalities of political and cultural life in the country. Following is the President Osmani's full address: Honourable President of the Republic of Albania, our great friend Mr. Ilir Meta! Honourable mayor of Junik, Mr. Shehu! Distinguished representatives of the families of martyrs, heroes, war invalids of our Liberation Army, Honourable deputies, ministers, Dear citizens of Junik, Kosovo and Albania It is a great pleasure to be able to return to your beautiful city within two years, to mark together with you one of the most important events in our national history, the Junik Assembly. This pleasure becomes even greater because this year we come here to mark an important jubilee of this assembly, its 110th anniversary. Moreover, we are marking this anniversary as in the time of the Assembly, with representatives coming from all Albanian lands, from Albania, Northern Macedonia, Montenegro, the Presheva Valley and of course from the Republic of Kosovo.  Dear citizens of Junik! In the history of the ancient people, just like ours, whose existence is measured by millennia, 110 years of history is not that much. But, in the millennial histories of the nations there are some events that always carry an inspiring message because they manage to connect the pieces of history in the arc of their ambitions. The Assembly of Junik, held on May 21st -25th 1912, at the time of great upheavals and endless efforts of the Albanian people for freedom and independence and the predatory intentions of the neighbours marks not only an important historical event, but also an example of clear articulation political demands of our people for freedom, articulating them on a pure national platform, which included three important dimensions: national, political and military. Therefore, today, when we are jointly marking the 110th anniversary of this assembly, it is time to remember with piety its participants and to bow to them for their patriotic vision, depth of thought and wisdom of action, to thank them for pure national orientation and the political platform they created. It was a weighty stone in the struggle for the independence of Albanian lands. Dear participants! The Junik Assembly was held at a crucial moment in the history of the Albanian people and supported their efforts for self-determination. Therefore, it does enter the course of important national events, as it provided a clear platform for freedom. Astoundingly, on May 21st to 25th of the year of independence, representatives of different Albanian territories, of the then vilayets, gathered together, in this place of historical resistance, which is symbolized today by the stone towers, so beautiful, which you are carefully preserving, to design the first national platform for independent Albania. Led by the ideologist of the Albanian cause, Hasan Prishtina, and supported by more than 250 delegates from Albanian territories, representatives of Albanian vilayets and sanjaks such as Shkodra and Elbasan, the Assembly of Junik presents a strong political, military and cultural platform for the implementation of the independent Albanian state. He gave tremendous impetus to the efforts for national liberation. The Assembly strengthened these efforts in several dimensions: First, the assembly played an extraordinary role in coordinating the efforts of the Albanian people to organize a military uprising on a national scale. The call made to the Albanian people to unite under the leadership of a single national committee was crucial to centralize and unite the efforts for freedom. He set up a single committee, which would then lead the fight. The Assembly itself managed to make it clear that national consciousness had been raised to a high level and that any attempt to undermine the determination of Albanians for freedom would only further homogenize it.    However, the Junik Assembly did not only unite military figures. He also joined the efforts for prudent and determined political action. In addition to clearly articulating the determination of the Albanians to continue at all costs of the war and the struggle for freedom, the Assembly approved the political program for the recognition of autonomy, as a first step towards the independence of the Albanian vilayets and decided to raise the national flag everywhere. Albanian lands. The Assembly further transcended the boundaries of an assembly at the core of which is the effort to consolidate the struggle for freedom, and provided a clear cultural as well as a political platform. He loudly reaffirmed the western orientation of the Albanian people, insisting that the official language in the Albanian territories be the Albanian language and reaffirming the attitude of the people of knowledge and culture, that we should use the Albanian alphabet in Latin letters in our country. Thus, the Assembly marked a clear pro-Western orientation, an orientation which Albanians have demonstrated over the centuries at crucial points in their history.   Dear citizens of Junik,   Dear participants,   The Junik Assembly marks not only a historic date but also a date of remembrance. It marks a turning point for political and cultural activities and for the realization of our national goals. It also served as a narrative for many girls and boys who gave their lives for the homeland, including the girls and boys of the Kosovo Liberation Army who fought for our freedom and independence. The wisdom, dedication and bravery of the participants of the Junik Assembly and especially their political and cultural foresight in those gloomy times for us are a constant point of reference to which we must constantly return and from which each of us must learn. As institutions, as people involved in politics but also as people of knowledge and culture we must take care that the political heritage of this Assembly,

President Osmani's address at the certification ceremony of 257 KSF recruits

Honourable Minister of Defense Mr. Mehaj, Honourable KSF Deputy Commander General Cikaqi, Honourable Brigadier General Irfete Spahiu, Honourable recruits, soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers of our Army, Dear family members of the recruits who make us all proud today, Distinguished guests, Dear representatives of NALT and our partners, In a time period of only a few months I am among you again for the certification ceremony of 257 new recruits. It honours me and makes me proud that our army is increasing its ranks with young girls and boys who are transforming patriotism into professionalism. You are living each day more and more the dream of the generations that, in addition to the state, also wanted to have an army that will be in function of the protection of the country and in the function of the protection of the territorial integrity of every corner of our Kosovo. Just as the boys and girls of the KLA once carried on their shoulders the ideal of our freedom, today you carry on your shoulders the idea of ​​protecting the freedom, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Kosovo. For nine weeks of training, the recruits who are being certified today have demonstrated skill, preparation and professionalism, led by our army's skilled instructors.  Today, 257 certified recruits are joining KSF, girls and boys with whom our Force is increasing the number of its members to over 3000. The KSF has an equal opportunity policy, so I encourage girls and women to become part of our army as much as possible. The success demonstrated in many other areas they have the opportunity to show by wearing the KSF uniform. With this number of recruits, the KSF is increasingly developing in accordance with professional standards and in line with the practices of the most modern armies in the world. This shows that the present and the future of our country are in safe hands, as the KSF is moving with confident steps towards the end of the transition phase. At a time when global peace is increasingly being challenged and authoritarian tendencies are emerging, strengthening our defense capabilities is a necessity. I have faith in the professionalism of our soldiers and I am sure that these recruits that we have ahead and others who have passed this way before are ready whenever they become defenders of our Republic. Russia's aggression these days shows that there will always be forces that want to destroy peace and want to violate the freedom and right of nations to live free. We have experienced the same thing before, therefore, we will never stop preparing our army as much as possible, to increase its numbers o that it is ready not only for the security of our state, but also a partner of NATO allied armies, an alliance which Republic of Kosovo intends to join o. NATO membership is a necessity and contributes to regional peace and stability. The KSF is becoming more and more a professional military force and interacting with NATO forces, thanks to the persistence of its members and permanent support from the country's institutions but also from our western allies, most of all from the United States. Therefore, a special thanks to the US and all our allies who are helping to increase the professionalism of the KSF and increase its capacity! Dear recruits and soldiers, Today your professional career is taking on a new direction. You are not who you were yesterday, but you have become who you will have to be tomorrow. Ready to respond to any situation, motivated and committed whenever the homeland needs you. Your task is not easy, but it is as great as it is noble. There is no greater honor in life than to become a defender of the homeland. I have full confidence in your training, as I believe that your engagement in the army will have a permanent reference: homeland above all! Distinguished certified recruits, with you today we are not only increasing the number of our army effectives, but also the security and guarantee for a better present and future. Our eyes today are on you. Our hope depends on you. Our goal is peace and we must not allow it to be violated by anyone. Our goal is the EU, NATO and other international organizations, where Kosovo deserves to be and which further strengthens the international subjectivity of our country, along with strengthening of the defense and security component. In the capacity of the Supreme Commander of this army, I thank you dear recruits, all your instructors, the command structure of the KSF and your families who have honored you and the whole country by supporting you at every step and you will serve the state as well at every step with the work you will do. I expect from you maximum commitment and engagement in fulfilling the responsibilities arising from your noble mission in defense of the homeland!   God bless the Kosovo Security Force! God bless our Republic! Thank you!

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