President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, visited today the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) Command and Doctrine Centre for University Studies.
Initially, she was received by the KSF Commander, general Lieutenant Mr. Kadri Kastrati, and then she addressed the cadets of this centre, and held a question and answers session with them.
Following is President Jahjaga’s address to the cadets:
I am very happy to be among you today; initially to congratulate you and your predecessors for the untiring work, for the dedication which helped rising of this essential institution for the future of the republic of Kosovo, and secondly to discuss with you the immense amount of work ahead of us in relation to the creation of the Kosovo Armed Forces.
You know better than any institution created in the post war Kosovo how challenging any beginning is. Such was as well the journey of our citizens towards realization of many a generations for a Kosovo which breathes freely, a free state, and independent, sovereign state.
These challenges which came ahead of us, we, as institutions and a society, overcame with an exceptionally high degree of responsibility. Jointly with our international partners, we created the conditions for the declaration of Kosovo an independent state, a free and sovereign state. We became ambassadors of our state, requesting its recognition on four corners of the world, continent by continent, state by state, in order to show them all our achievements, all our successes as a state, as institutions and as citizens.
We augmented the credibility of our state to a level of becoming a constructive factor of regional forums. We took important decisions, held open the hand of cooperation even when such an act was not an easy thing to do. And we did this for a reason- to make the sovereign, free Kosovo viable, unwavering and fully consolidated.
Kosovo Security Force has been a pillar of this journey of ours- all inclusive, patriotic, professional and very reliable. It is not by chance that we are today building a vision which will increase your obligations, because, as citizens of Kosovo, regardless of ethnic origin, we believe in you and the noble mission which you have undertaken, the defence of Kosovo, and preservation of values and ideals upon which we swore an oath to advance the cooperation with our strategic allies.
Here lies the success of your further reformation and professionalization. This success is guaranteed thanking your bravery, courage and dedication to fulfil your mission of a peaceful and democratic Kosovo, for a society who’s primary ambition is investment in the security of each of its citizens and in which each citizen cooperates with institutions, in faith that they are there for their safety.
With the conclusion of the strategic sector review process – an all inclusive and inter institutional process which analysed our security mechanisms, the needs of the citizens of Kosovo and the strategic interests of our state- institutions of Kosovo reached a conclusion which shows the need for the creation of a modern armed force, with defence capabilities, which addresses the security challenges, completes our security infrastructure and continues with the professionalization towards NATO standards with the ambition for membership of this alliance.
In the coming days, Parliament of Kosovo will be discussing the constitutional changes related to the creation of the Kosovo Armed Forces. As in any other democracy, this process has not passed by without contradictions in our country as well. And in this context, I would like to remind everyone that this process must be concluded with the creation of our defence force. Creation of the Kosovo Armed Forces is a must and this option has no alternative. This is Kosovo’s force, for Kosovo. Kosovo will have its defence force, which will complete our consolidation as a state and will become a contributor to the collective security of Europe.
You cadets, will not only become benefiters of NATO standard trainings and education, but also be the pillar of our armed forces. I am very proud of your achievements and I cannot wait for the day when you integrate Kosovo into North Atlantic Alliance.