Prishtina, 14 June, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated yesterday in the reception organized on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Slovenia.
Prime Minister Kurti said that it is a special honor and a great pleasure to be together today on the 32nd anniversary of the Republic of Slovenia. He emphasized that our two countries have shared similar lessons from history and our people have remained close to ensure that we learn the best lessons from both our trials and victories.
“Slovenia has been an inspiring model to follow in many respects. June 25, 1991 and the declaration of Slovenia as an independent Republic has served us as a guide for what resistance to hegemony and the pursuit of democracy looks like,” he said.
During his speech, Prime Minister Kurti said that he is grateful to the Government of Slovenia for the continuous and vocal support, with the main goal that Kosovo and the entire Western Balkans become part of the EU as soon as possible. He expressed gratitude and thanks to the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Golob, for his support, which as such includes the advancement of relations in the security sector through the accreditation of our defense attaché in Ljubljana, as well as economic opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses from the two countries.
It is worth noting that this year, the connections between the two countries, i.e. Kosovo and Slovenia, have been deepened with the restoration of the direct line Pristina-Ljubljana.
Among other things, Prime Minister Kurti emphasized that we look forward to this ease of travel, which will facilitate the further advancement of the business environment where Slovenian companies from the telecommunications, banking and insurance sectors play an important role.
Prime Minister Kurti also thanked our diaspora in Slovenia, who are a very important part of the ties between the two countries.
He concluded his speech by congratulating the Republic of Slovenia on its national holiday and believing in the further deepening and dedication of interstate relations as well as friendly ties between our two peoples.
The complete speech of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti:
Your Excellency, Minca Benedejčič, ambassador of Republic of Slovenia,
Honorable ministers, deputy ministers,
Honorable deputy Prime Minister Rexhepi
Excellencies, ambassadors, representatives of Diplomatic Missions in Kosova,
Religious leaders,
Distinguish guest,
Ladies and gentleman,
It is a special honor and a great pleasure to be together today on the 32nd anniversary of the Republic of Slovenia. Our two countries have shared similar lessons from history, and our people have maintained close proximity to ensure that we take the best lessons both from our trials and our victories.
Slovenia has been an inspiring model to follow in many respects. June 25, 1991 and the declaration of Slovenia as an independent Republic has served us as a guide for what resisting hegemony and pursuing democracy looks like. Three months later we in Kosova, organized referendum for independent republic in the late September 1991. Honoring the country’s anniversary is therefore also a reminder that honoring the path towards freedom is the ultimate path to follow. The quick ascent of the country to become a democratic pillar within the European Union has served as a north star for Western Balkan countries ever since.
The years following the country’s independent statehood declaration have been marked by a close cooperation between us that has transcended politics and has very fortunately encompassed many layers of our societies’ lives.
The continuous support we have received from the Slovenian state, since the famous protest with Adem Demaçi and thousands of Slovenian and Albanian citizens in ‘Cankarjev trg’ in Ljubljana, includes but is far from limited to: the recognition of the Independence of the Republic of Kosova as the first former Yugoslav country to do so, the continuous support for membership in international organizations, and for visa liberalization for the citizens of Kosova. The support includes the advancement of relations in the security sector through the accreditation of our defense attaché in Ljubljana, as well as economic opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses from both countries. We are grateful to Prime Minister Golob and the Government of Slovenia for their continuous and vocal backing, especially for their advocacy within European institutions, for Kosova and the entire Western Balkans to become part of the EU as soon as possible.
This year, the links between our two countries have further deepened with the reinstatement of the Prishtina-Ljubljana direct flight. We look forward to this ease in travel, which we will facilitate the further advancement of the business environment where an important role is played by Slovenian companies from the telecommunications sector (with Telekom Slovenia), to the banking sector (with NLB banka), and the insurance sector (with Iliria, namely Sava Osiguranje). At the same time, we are happy that businesses from Kosovo also taking advantage of the opportunities offered in Slovenia and we are seeing innovations with the investments that are being made in the hotel industry, construction, IT as well as other fields.
However strong our business ties, our bilateral relations venture into a great many other sectors and industries. Our strong connections are expanded every day through the cooperation between our artists, the joint training of our athletes and the cooperation that our universities have.
In this respect, we are also grateful to our expatriates in Slovenia, who are a very important piece of the puzzle tying our countries together.
Dear Madam Ambassador, please allow me, once again, on behalf of the citizens and the Government of the Republic of Kosova, to congratulate you on the National Day of Slovenia and to express our commitment to the further deepening of interstate relations and friendly ties between our two peoples, based on our common values.
Congratulations and thank you for your attention!
Happy Independence day! Vesel dan neodvisnosti!
Last modified: June 21, 2023