The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Hashim Thaçi participated in the “UCK Epopee,” ceremony held in the ”Adem Jashari” barracks in Prishtina.
The following is Prime Minister Thaçi’s full speech
Respected Parliamentary Speaker Krasniqi
Respected Deputy Prime Ministers
Ministers
Deputies
Directors of institutions of the Republic of Kosovo
Respected Jashari family
Respected families of the martyrs
Respected officers and soldiers of the Kosovo Security Force
Respected citizens of the Republic of Kosovo
There are days, hours, minutes and seconds, when history concentrates with all its might on specific generations, countries and certain locations.
Kosovo’s thousand year history, produced the days coming up, now well-known as the Days of the Epopee of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
These are the days when Kosovo was knocking on the great door of Liberty.
With legendary bravery and sacrifice, and a clear vision.
The Epopee of the Kosovo Liberation Army demonstrates the readiness and determination to achieve a century long dream nourished in the hearts and minds of each of us, and all generations.
And with the dreams and ideals of our grandparents, who never agreed with slavery and the long occupation.
But this dream, now has taken the contours of an important project synthesizing the will, vision and determination of all generations for an independent and sovereign Kosovo.
There is no greater act than that of liberating the country.
The Kosovo Liberation Army is a masterpiece produced by the idea of freedom, an instrument and a strategic project achieving Kosovo’s liberation.
It became the strongest mechanism opposing the administrative, political, diplomatic and military machinery of Belgrade.
It originated from deep popular will and it determined the development of Kosovo’s modern history.
The KLA was a modern army and invincible, like the orientation of our people toward ending oppression, burning, reprisals and further degradation of their lives under occupation.
The Days of the Epopee of the Kosovo Liberation Army show best and at what price Albanians were ready to win freedom.
The legendary men of the Jashari family, the women and children, an entire district sacrificed with rare heroism on the foundations of Kosovo’s freedom.
This entire masterpiece was led by the Legendary Commander Adem Jashari.
They offered up a unique model of sacrifice for the price of freedom, not just for Kosovo and Albanian civilization, but for all humanity.
Their blood made sacred the foundations of freedom. The legendary images of Prekaz entered into the chancelleries of world diplomacy, making international, and raising awareness about, the issue of Kosovo in the capitals of world democracy.
The Epopee of the Liberation Army lit the fire of freedom in all Kosova’s land.
The KLA Epopee united all Albanians for Kosovo’s freedom, uniting the entire democratic world in our support.
The fire of freedom was lit everywhere, in all Kosovo.
The Days of the Epopee of the KLA did not rest until June 12, 1999 when Kosovo was finally liberated and together with the support of the democratic world started a new phase, that of state-building of peace and development.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Citizens of the Republic of Kosovo,
Respected soldiers,
Every achievement in free Kosovo cannot be imagined without the contribution of martyrs of freedom, without the contribution of civilians and all those who worked in different forms of resistance.
Kosovo’s liberators are all the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, wherever they live or in the Diaspora.
Kosovo is an original and unique success story of liberation and independence, a sustainable work of genius, vision and the just orientation of its people.
On February 17, 2008 Kosovo crowned independence – its greatest political, legal and diplomatic achievement in the history of its civilization and existence.
Therefore, today as always as institutions and citizens we bow with respect before the name, life and work of the martyrs of freedom and the legendary Jasharis.
Honoring the fallen is honoring the state. It is energy and force for the future.
It is an honor by the highest institutions of the state of Kosovo, by the units of the Security Force, units of the Kosovo army that one day soon will be part of NATO’s forces.
On the 14th anniversary of the KLA Epopee, Kosovo entered the phase of concluding international supervision of independence, demonstrating maturity, responsibility and state-building capacity.
The Republic of Kosovo today is recognized by 88 states, in the midst of which are states with the most developed democracies of the world, friendly states which have given extraordinary contributions to our achievements up to today.
With your work, with your idea, will, work, sweat and high state and civilian responsibility, Kosovo will be a success story in its third phase, of integration into the European Union and NATO.
Kosovo will continue with determination to be responsible in its Euro-Atlantic path, as a state of its citizens, in which freedom, equality and rule of law are fundamental and unsurpassable principles.
Kosovo will continue to be a factor of stability, peace and example of good neighborliness in the region and beyond, justifying the commitment of its friends and their continuing support toward the affirmation of our state in the international arena.
Today, on this fourteenth anniversary of the KLA Epopee, allow me on behalf of the state of Kosovo, and Kosovo’s citizens, to thank the United States of America, the countries of the European Union and NATO, for supporting the process of freedom, liberation, independence and now EU and NATO integration.
The fourteenth anniversary of the KLA Epopee occurs together with the 100 year anniversary of the Independence of Albania and the national flag, and so on this occasion we hope that the Albanian people will prosper and flourish in their century of independence, and join the European Union as soon as possible.
Thirteen years in free Kosovo and four years in independent Kosovo are not enough to achieve all our dreams, but enough to show determination and will to create responsible institutions, a contemporary society and a modern western European state.
Glory to the Jasharis!
Glory to the legendary commander Adem Jashari!
Glory to all martyrs of freedom!
Last modified: July 31, 2022