Prishtina, 17 February 2026
As part of the activities marking the 18th anniversary of Independence, a state reception ceremony was held, organized by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, the President, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, and the Speaker of the Assembly, Albulena Haxhiu. Among the invited guests and attendees were leaders and representatives of Kosovo’s state institutions, members of the Assembly, ambassadors and international friends, as well as many distinguished personalities.
In his address, Prime Minister Kurti stated that the state of Kosovo is preceded by thousands of years of our existence as a people and hundreds as a nation, as well as by an equally long struggle that preserved our identity.
“Before the declaration of independence, our statehood existed in many forms — in the names of children, in lines of books and activities on both sides of the Atlantic, beyond the Balkans and elsewhere. It existed in the pride we carry and in the call for the common good. Therefore, as we enter the first year of our state maturity, we do so with a history as long as that of Europe itself.”
He added that in these 18 years we experienced the founding act: for the first time, our culture, identity, will, and rights had the opportunity to be determined by ourselves. Our freedom acquired the proper infrastructure to transform into progress.
“Although continuously threatened, to say that our history as a state and as a nation is merely a story of survival is an unfair shrinking of the truth. On the contrary: despite difficulties, Kosovo survived without being in a state of survival, as described by science — a condition closed off to everything not essential for living. We survived with a large and open heart, preserving spiritual generosity and the readiness to move forward while seeking accountability, but never revenge. By choosing to live in unity, with interfaith and multiethnic coexistence,” said the Prime Minister.
He concluded his speech by once again congratulating the 18th anniversary of our independence and expressing gratitude to all those who sacrificed and contributed from our country, from our people, and from international partners.
Full Speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Your Excellency Ms. Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, President of the Republic of Kosovo,
Honourable Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, Ms. Albulena Haxhiu,
Honourable Speaker of the Assembly of North Macedonia, Mr. Afrim Gashi,
Honourable former Presidents of our Republic, Ms. Atifete Jahjaga and Mr. Fatmir Sejdiu,
Honourable Members of the Assembly of the Republic of the 10th Legislature,
Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers of the Government,
Honourable Deputy Prime Ministers from North Macedonia, Mr. Arben Fetai and Mr. Bekim Sali,
Honourable leaders and representatives of state institutions,
Honourable mayors of municipalities inhabited by Albanians in the Balkans, from Tetova to Presheva, and from Çair to Ulqin,
Honourable heads of religious communities, Mufti Naim Tërnava of the Islamic Community of Kosovo and Bishop Dodë Gjergji of the Catholic Church,
Honourable families of martyrs, veterans and invalids of the Kosovo Liberation Army,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, independence turns 18. It crosses — both literally and figuratively — an important threshold when one becomes 18 years old. Just as in the life of an individual, the age of 18 marks the threshold of a new journey for our country, the closing of one stage and the beginning of another. The 18th birthday of independence finds the Republic stronger than ever, and ready for the journey ahead, with greater responsibility but also with greater self-confidence.
Independence, though 18 years old, is one of those rare cases where youth is accompanied by wisdom. The state of Kosovo is preceded by thousands of years of our existence as a people and hundreds as a nation, as well as by an equally long struggle that preserved our identity. Before the declaration of independence, our statehood existed in many forms — in the names of children, in lines of books and activities on both sides of the Atlantic, beyond the Balkans and elsewhere. It existed in the pride we carry and in the call for the common good. Therefore, as we enter the first year of our state maturity, we do so with a history as long as that of Europe itself.
But in these 18 years, we experienced the founding act: for the first time, our culture, identity, will, and rights had the opportunity to be determined by ourselves. Our freedom acquired the proper infrastructure to transform into progress.
Although continuously threatened, to say that our history as a state and as a nation is merely a story of survival is an unfair shrinking of the truth. On the contrary: despite difficulties, Kosovo survived without being in a state of survival, as described by science — a condition closed off to everything not essential for living. We survived with a large and open heart, preserving spiritual generosity and the readiness to move forward while seeking accountability, but never revenge. By choosing to live in unity, with interfaith and multiethnic coexistence.
In almost the entire world, the law grants responsibility at the age of 18 and gives you the freedom to decide your own destiny with full legal capacity to act. The age of 18 also finds Kosovo with strong institutional stability. For the second time, we have a stable Government, with the proper support of the people to fulfill the new four-year mandate and to push forward deep reforms in all areas of governance.
To grow and to add years is a privilege, because it is precious to exist and to develop. But a state that declares independence in the 21st century has a special privilege. The entire history of the declaration of independence — which is always a struggle led by profound feelings — lies within our living memory. The reason we are here and the future coexist. We have the golden combination: to be committed and to be free at the same time.
Happy 18th Anniversary of our Independence. Thank you to all those who sacrificed and contributed from our country, from our people, and from international partners.
May the Republic of Kosovo live forever!
