Congratulations to everyone on the 25th anniversary of the Kosovo Police!
Honourable Prime Minister,
Honourable Ministers,
Heads of institutions,
Dear Baca Rifat, thank you for always being with us in these historic moments for our country,
Management staff of the Kosovo Police and academic staff of the Public Safety Academy,
Dear friends and allies,
Dear officials of the Kosovo Police,
Deputy Prime Ministers, ministers, MPs, members of the KSF and families of fallen police officers,
September 6th marks an extremely important moment in the history of Kosovo – the day of the establishment of our Police.
Today we are here to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Police, a day that is not simply a celebration of an institution, but is a tribute to the dedication, courage and sacrifice of the women and men who have served and continue to serve as guardians of public order, security, integrity and sovereignty of our Republic.
The Kosovo Police, during this quarter century of its work, continues to be one of the most trusted and respected institutions of our country.
Since the moment of its creation, the police forces have been at the forefront of protecting our citizens, respecting the rule of law and ensuring that our streets, homes and all our citizens without distinction, in every corner of Kosovo, are safe. Your work has been important in building a society where law and order prevail and where the rights and freedoms of every citizen are protected.
We cannot talk about the Kosovo Police without honouring the heroes who gave their lives in the line of duty. Among the 23 police officers who have fallen in the line of duty, the latest is Kosovo hero Afrim Bunjaku, whose bravery and sacrifice continue to inspire us all as we defend the sovereignty of our country. Afrim, along with many others, made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our homeland, to protect the sovereignty of the state, and to ensure a peaceful and stable environment for all citizens.
The legacy of those who gave their lives for freedom lives on in the values that you, members of the Kosovo Police, carry and manifest every day.
Your contribution to protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kosovo is key. In times of crisis and challenge, you must stand firm, demonstrating resilience, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the security of our state built with so much effort and sacrifice.
Whether on the front lines of operations or in the daily work of maintaining public order, the pillars of professionalism, dedication, integrity and determination are prerequisites for a safe Kosovo for all.
As we reflect on the last 25 years, we must also look to the future in order to take steps forward. The world is changing rapidly and the security architecture is evolving, facing new challenges.
Global developments, including trends to undermine peace and stability in our region and more specifically in Kosovo, require us to remain vigilant and to strengthen our ranks and our defense capacities every day.
The Kosovo Police must continue to develop, must continue to improve its capabilities every day with rapid and safe steps, and be ready to respond to these new threats in an increasingly complex environment.
Your commitment to serve and protect must remain at the center of everything you do. This is not just about responding to threats, but about being proactive, innovative and vigilant in your approach to law enforcement and public safety.
On this special anniversary, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to each member of the Kosovo Police who has put the interests of the state and our citizens above all else, who has worked with integrity and professionalism.
The path forward must continue by constantly raising the standards of professionalism, integrity and impartiality.
A safe Kosovo with full sovereignty in every corner of it and in which the rule of law prevails, and where the rights of all citizens are protected without distinction is our common goal from which we will never give up. In this goal, let us not forget that for 25 consecutive years, from day one until today, we have had our allies by our side. Therefore, I thank them once again on behalf of the people of Kosovo, not only for their expertise and training, for their equipment and armament, but for all their unparalleled support and above all for their trust in the Kosovo Police and for everything else they do so that today the Kosovo Police is a success story.
And a special congratulations goes to all the women and girls in the police, thank you for your service, thank you for your professionalism, and above all thank you for continuing to be an example for every young girl, who aims to join you in the mission to keep Kosovo at peace and safe.
Thank you, Kosovo Police, for your service, continue to serve with honour and pride in the years to come!
Congratulations!
