Prishtina, 30 June 2023
Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, today was a participant and key speaker in the graduation ceremony of the 15th generation of cadets of the Center for University Studies of the Kosovo Security Force.
In the ceremony where 15 cadets received the title of officers of the Republic and the Forces, the Prime Minister Kurti described the development of the Force and military education as a very important link that was built on the foundations of the Kosovo Liberation Army and will be part of NATO in the near future.
“Today’s graduation from the Center for University Studies of the Academy of Security Forces of Kosovo gives us hope for the future and makes us proud of the past. It takes us back in time, in 2009, to the first generation of Kosovo Security Force graduates at this Center, and in 1999 to the first generation of Kosovo Liberation Army superiors graduating from the military school Hamez Jashari”, said the Prime Minister Kurti.
He showed that during the first two years of governance, 3,325 military personnel were trained abroad, over 8 times the number in 2019 and 2020, meanwhile we have established cooperation agreements with the United Kingdom, Albania, Latvia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Croatia, while the SOFA agreements with Germany, Turkey, Jordan and Croatia are in process. All this has enabled the Center for University Studies of the Kosovo Security Force to build the image of a military education institution that produces officers who excel in further military education, in renowned schools and colleges of partner and friendly states.
For a safer, fairer, and more equal Kosovo for all, the Prime Minister has shown that the Kosovo Security Force has been made open to every young person up to the age of 25, removing the limitation on the number of the Kosovo Security Force. Over the past two years, 1,240 young soldiers have been recruited, while in the recruitment process there are also 612 active soldiers and 388 reserves, as a result of which our forces have increased by 83%. During the speech, the Prime Minister said that the Kosovo Security Force is our reality and the realization of the ideals of fighters and those who fell for freedom, so we have doubled the budget for the army to 141.2 million euros and we have increased investments in armaments by 191%.
“We do not strengthen the army to attack others, but to be strong enough to defend ourselves. For a safer, fairer and more equal Kosovo for all”, said Prime Minister Kurti.
Congratulating Addressing the graduated cadets on their achievement, he emphasized that from today on, in addition to the officer rank, they are ready to bear the responsibilities entrusted to them, to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic, preserve the lives of citizens, and support peace and security in the region and the world. At the same time, he also thanked the families of the cadets whose sons and daughters have been raised in the spirit of patriotism.
The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude and congratulations to Lieutenant General Jashari, as well as the officers and non-commissioned officers of the Center for University Studies and the Training and Doctrine Command, for the graduation of this generation and for their dedication to advancing the military education program, in line with the latest developments in the defense sector.
Present at this ceremony were also the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Kosovo, Armend Mehaj, the Commander of the Kosovo Security Force, Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari, members of the government cabinet and deputies of the Assembly, Deputy Ministers of Defense, Shemsi Syla and Adnan Rexheplar, General Hammerstein, the Chief of Staff in KFOR, Bozicevic, organizations and family members.
Prime Minister Kurti’s full speech:
Dear Minister of Defense of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Armend Mehaj,
Honorable Commander of the Kosovo Security Force, Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari,
Dear members of the government cabinet and members of the Assembly of the Republic,
Dear Deputy Ministers of Defense, Mr. Shemsi Syla and Mr. Adnan Rexheplar,
Dear soldiers of the Kosovo Security Force,
Dear General Hammerstein,
Dear Chief of Staff at KFOR, Bozicevic,
Dear military and defense attachés of friendly and partner countries,
Dear families of the martyrs,
Dear invalids and veterans of the liberation war,
Dear partners of international and local organizations,
Dear people of the Republic,
Dear new officers of the Kosovo Security Force,
Today’s graduation from the Center for University Studies of the Academy of Security Forces of Kosovo gives us hope for the future and makes us proud of the past. This takes us back in time, to 2009, to the first generation of Kosovo Security Force graduates at this Center, and in 1999 to the first generation of Kosovo Liberation Army superiors graduating from the military school Hamez Jashari”.
From education during the flames of war, through the phases of state building, our army continues to develop and modernize. As we have gone through the stages of transition, we have not stopped building a sustainable military education system, which is an important achievement in the development of our Force. Human resources are the backbone of any army, and trained and educated personnel are the foundation for the professional development and construction of the defense system.
As we mark the graduation of the 15th generation of cadets, the Center for University Studies of the KSF has already presented an image of a military education institution that produces officers who excel in further military education, at renowned schools and colleges of partner and friendly countries. Along with the generations, opportunities for further advancement are also increasing. During the initial two years of our administration, we provided training to 3,325 military personnel overseas. Over 8 times the number in 2019 and 2020, when there were only 381. We have entered into a cooperation agreement with the United Kingdom, Albania, Latvia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Croatia. We are in the process of SOFA agreements with Germany, Turkey, Jordan, and Croatia.
Honorable cadets,
From today onwards, you must be ready to carry not only the rank of an officer but also the responsibilities entrusted to you, to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic, preserve the lives of citizens, and support peace and security in the region and the world.
Today, your dedication and the efforts of the past four years are being acknowledged, as you take on the role of officers within the Republic and the Force that was raised upon the Kosovo Liberation Army foundation. The Force which in the near future will be part of NATO, the alliance that supported politically and militarily the liberation and freedom of our country.
Each new generation reaffirms our will we have to develop our own defense system, but also our steadfast commitment to be part of the collective defense system of countries that embrace and represent democratic values.
We have made the Kosovo Security Force accessible to all young men and women under the age of 25 and removed the restriction on the KSF’s size. As such, over the course of two years, 1240 young soldiers have been recruited. In the recruitment process, there are also 612 young soldiers and 388 reserves. With 2,240 more soldiers in two years, the ranks of our force have increased by 83%.
We do not strengthen the army to attack others, but to be strong enough to defend ourselves. For a safer, fairer and more equal Kosovo for all.
Honorable cadet families,
Thank you for raising your sons and daughters in a spirit of patriotism. Without your support, the success of your children, our cadets, would not be possible. They will continue to need your support. I am sure there will be no shortage of that. Ongoing will also be the support of the Government of the Republic and state institutions towards their professional growth and advancement.
At the beginning of our mandate, we doubled the budget for the force, compared to 2020. Following on the continuous increase each year, the budget for this year is 141.2 million euros. This represents a 38.23% increase compared to 2022. Compared to the previous two years of the prior Government, we have increased investments in armaments by 191%, or nearly tripled.
As we increase our capabilities, budget and equipment, the Kosovo Security Force is our reality and the realization of the ideals of fighters and fallen for freedom.
Honorable Lieutenant General Jashari, Honorable officers and non-commissioned officers of the Center for University Studies and the Training and Doctrine Command,
Congratulations on the graduation of this generation. We are grateful for the advancement of the military education program, in line with the new developments in the field of defense.
Honorable cadets,
I congratulate you on your graduation, fully convinced that the knowledge and skills you have gained from your education will be put in the service of our country’s defense, and that you will serve the Republic with honor and pride.
Congratulations and Best Wishes!
Last modified: July 4, 2023