Paris, 28 October, 2025
In the capital of France, in Paris, the acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the discussion organized by the renowned French Institute, Jacques Delors. He was welcomed there by the Director of the Institute, Sylvie Mattelly. The main topic of the discussion was the geopolitical situation in Europe and the influence of the Western Balkans. Other topics of discussion were the protection, human rights, including those of minorities, as well as recent developments in the country. Also present at this roundtable was the Special Envoy of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Western Balkans, René Troccaz.
The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the invitation of the Jacques Delors Institute to be part of this discussion. In his opening remarks, he stressed that we are living in a time when Europe is prosperous, and at the same time deeply challenged, adding that our ability to plan in the long term is constantly being overshadowed by immediate geopolitical realities. For decades, we have been guided by the desire for homeostasis, but this is no longer our reality, he continued. “Flourishing systems, be they institutions, organizations or societies, evolve through cycles of order, disorder and re-ordering, and for Europe, this new equilibrium requires a clear stance against authoritarianism and a clear inclusion of those countries that support democracy,” the Prime Minister said.
Speaking about Kosovo, current developments and the progress of recent years, Prime Minister Kurti stressed that since the declaration of independence in 2008 with international support, our country has developed strong democratic institutions, while during this government mandate, Kosovo has fought corruption and has recorded sustainable economic growth. He highlighted the news that in July of this year, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank officially removed Kosovo from the list of fragile and conflict-affected countries based on the country’s institutional and economic progress as reflected in the significant drop in unemployment from nearly 26% to less than 11%.
The Prime Minister further stated that the country has introduced and implemented progressive social policies that improve the livelihood and well-being of citizens; from making public higher education free and providing allowances for mothers and children, to youth employment schemes and higher pensions, as Kosovo prepares to host the 2030 Mediterranean Games, within the framework of which the largest investments in sports infrastructure are being made and will be made. Regarding the latter, the Prime Minister thanked the French Development Agency (AFD) and its representatives who were present for their support and cooperation with the institutions of our country.
During the discussion, the topic of security and defense was also addressed, on which occasion the Prime Minister underlined the attention that the government he leads has given to defense through increasing the budget and building the capacities of the Kosovo Security Force in cooperation with our international partners, emphasizing that the defense of democracy is inseparable and unstoppable.
At this roundtable, the Prime Minister was accompanied by the acting Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Kreshnik Ahmeti, and the Ambassador of Kosovo to France, Mehdi Halimi.
