Prishtina, 6 September, 2024
On the occasion of marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Kosovo Police, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated today in the festive ceremony organized by the Kosovo Police.
On this jubilee anniversary of the establishment of the Police, the anthem of the Kosovo Police was performed for the first time. The ceremony then continued with a minute of silence in honor and commemoration of all policemen who fell in the line of duty during these 25 years of Kosovo Police service.
The Kosovo Police started with the operationalization of the police school in the city of Vushtrri and with the immediate training of the first generation of members of the Kosovo Police Service. In the first generation of the Kosovo Police, a total of 176 cadets graduated, 20% of whom were girls and women and 17% from the ranks of the communities.
“I am honored to be here today, to mark and celebrate with all of you a quarter of a century of the existence and development of our police, the Kosovo Police, and I am happy that among us we have officers of the first generation of the Kosovo Police , who still keep the memories and experience of that time fresh. We admire their dedication, that despite all the challenges of that time, they decided to wear the uniform and serve everyone without distinction”, stated Prime Minister Kurti in his address.
He continued his speech by saying that the actions of our Police in successive attacks in the last three years by criminal groups led by Serbia, and especially in the terrorist attack on September 24 of last year in Banjska i Zveçani, have proven that with professionalism and courage, results are achieved in the mission of rule of law, protection of the lives of our citizens, state sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Banjska has also brought back to the minds of each of us, that regardless of any unbridled aspirations of anyone over our beloved Republic, our territory will be defended with our lives. Institutional, official and personal integrity preserves and maintains territorial integrity”, he further added.
The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to all the members who today, as every day, are on duty throughout our country, who, reflecting on the oath given, have proven to us that they do not even spare their lives for the protection of the legality and constitutionality of our Republic.
“As Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, I am proud and grateful for the achievements of our police. Service with integrity and response with professionalism, based on our laws, are the directions on which the Kosovo Police should be strengthened even further”, he said.
At the end of the speech, the Prime Minister wished everyone the 25th anniversary of the establishment of our beloved Police of the Republic of Kosovo, to those who were present and especially to the members of the Police who are currently in service throughout the territory of our Republic.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, calling this a special day for the Kosovo Police and for our entire Republic, said that today the Kosovo Police is the most reliable institution for our citizens, professionally established, trained well and ready to respond to any threat to the security of our country.
Minister Sveçla recalled the fall in the line of duty of 23 members of the Kosovo police, saying that they are the most glorious part of the police and the Republic of Kosovo. “From the hero Lazim Rexhepi to the hero Afrim Bunjaku, they proved that they defend the oath given, protect the life and property of our citizens, the integrity and territorial sovereignty of the Republic of Kosovo with daily sacrifices, with will and dedication, even with their lives”, said Minister Sveçla.
In this 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Police, the minister mentioned the marked results of the Kosovo police, during these four years, as in the attack on criminal groups, networks of drug laboratories, terrorism, smuggling and corruption, and above all the important protection at all costs of territorial integrity and the pretense of sovereignty, especially in the north of our country.
At the end of this ceremony, the president of the country, Vjosa Osmani, Prime Minister Kurti, Minister Sveçla and the Director General of the Kosovo Police, Gazmend Hoxha, were awarded medals, recognition and praise to various institutions.
From 2021 to 2024, the Kosovo Police budget has increased by over 50 million euros dedicated to modernized equipment for its members, infrastructure in police facilities and stations, as well as special armored vehicles according to security needs.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
The celebration of this jubilee anniversary started with new music, which filled us with joy. So, thank you for this special beginning of this very important ceremony and congratulations to everyone, each and every one of you on the 25th anniversary of the Kosovo Police.
Dear Vjosa Osmani, President of the Republic of Kosovo,
The Honorable Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla,
Honorable Gazmend Hoxha, Director General of the Kosovo Police,
The Honorable Deputy Commander of the Kosovo Security Force, Enver Cikaqi,
The honorable director of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency, Petrit Ajeti,
The honorable director of Kosovo Customs, Agron Llugaliu,
Dear uncle Rifat, Rifat Jashari, emblem of the liberation war of the KLA and the resistance of our nation,
Honorable Vice President of the Assembly of the Republic, Saranda Bogujevci,
Dear representatives of diplomatic missions, ambassadors and other diplomats accredited in our Republic,
Dear family members of policemen who fell in the line of duty,
Dear families of martyrs, invalids, veterans of the KLA,
Dear leaders of our country’s institutions,
Dear superiors and officials of the Kosovo Police,
ladies and gentlemen,
I am honored to be here today, to mark and celebrate with all of you a quarter of a century of the existence and development of our police, the Kosovo Police.
25 years ago, on September 6, 1999, with the operationalization of the police school in Vushtrri, the first generation of members of the Kosovo Police Service began training. After the tireless efforts of our people for freedom and liberation in June 1999, the Police Service of Kosovo became one of the first institutions, which with nobility and reliability served the citizens of the country, and that amidst the great pain and great losses from war, his eyes were on recovery.
I am happy that among us we have officers of the first generation of the Kosovo Police, who still keep the memories and experience of that time fresh. We admire their dedication, that despite all the challenges of that time, they decided to wear the uniform and serve everyone without distinction.
The first 176 cadets of that generation, 20% of whom were girls and women and 17% from the ranks of the communities, who graduated on October 16, 1999, were stationed at police stations and served everywhere with determination.
Since its establishment, the Police has had support from the OSCE and the International Criminal Investigation Training Assistance Program, known as ICITAP, from our partners and allies. This support, together with the continuous commitment of the young and the young generations, make our Police stronger, better prepared and always professional to establish order and ensure the rule of law.
Dear attendees,
On this 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Kosovo Police, we express our gratitude to all members who are on duty throughout our country today, as every day. Reflecting on the oath given, our police officers have proven that they do not even spare their lives for the protection of the legality and constitutionality of our Republic.
The quarter-century history of the Kosovo Police has 23 heroes, who gave their lives in police uniform, on its bright side. From Lazim Rexhepi, to the youngest and freshest Afrim Bunjaku, they are the clearest evidence of service with honor and selflessness for the citizens and for the Republic, even when it requires the sacrifice of life. Our policemen keep the best memories for them, while our institutions, in addition to unreserved support for you, dear family members, express eternal gratitude, because their fall holds the pillars of our citizenship firmly.
As Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, I am proud and grateful for the achievements of our police. Service with integrity and response with professionalism, based on our laws, are the directions on which the Kosovo Police should be strengthened even further.
The actions of our Police in successive attacks in the last three years by criminal groups led by Serbia, and especially in the terrorist attack on September 24 of last year in Banjska in Zveçan, have proven that with professionalism and courage results are achieved in the mission of rule of the law, protection of the lives of our citizens and state sovereignty and territorial integrity. Banjska has also brought back to the minds of each of us, that regardless of any unbridled aspirations of anyone over our beloved Republic, our territory will be defended with our lives. Institutional, official and personal integrity preserves and maintains territorial integrity.
Dear participants,
For values that democratic countries promote, our country remains an example of success and this is of course thanks to the tireless work of our institutions, especially the Kosovo Police. The Kosovo Police, with a full 60 generations, continues to be valued as the institution with the highest reliability by our citizens. It is extremely important that this trust and cooperation deepen even more, as a guarantee of creating and maintaining a calm, safe, fair and equal environment for everyone without distinction.
As the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, we have offered our unreserved support to our Police and I am happy that, according to the common priorities, we have been completely successful so far.
We cannot expect results or demand them if we do not interact to properly address the needs of our police officers, our police. From 2021 to 2024, we have raised the budget of the Kosovo Police to over 50 million euros dedicated to modernized equipment for its members, infrastructure in police facilities and stations, as well as special vehicles and armored vehicles according to security needs.
Our investment in defense and security is an investment in peace and order. Our support will not be lacking in the future either, because the police must always be at a high level of duty.
I wish you all the 25th anniversary of the establishment of our beloved Police of the Republic of Kosovo, to you here and especially to our sons and daughters who are currently in service throughout the territory of our Republic.
Thank you, and cheers!
Last modified: September 9, 2024