Prishtina, 11 September 2026
The Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, paid tribute at the “Kosovo Remembers” memorial plaque in the courtyard of the Government and Assembly building, commemorating and honoring the victims of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, United States.
Prime Minister Kurti said that they had gathered there to mark the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
“Twenty-five years ago today, four planes were turned into weapons of mass destruction, with devastating consequences: 2,977 was the number of people killed that day, but the number of victims is even higher. According to researchers, more than 5,000 people have died from illnesses and complications related to 9/11. And thousands upon thousands of other survivors continue to suffer from these consequences,” said Prime Minister Kurti.
Prime Minister Kurti added that 441 of the victims, nearly 15 percent of the total, were first responders who sacrificed their lives to save hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of other lives.
“The deeds of these heroes, police officers, firefighters and others, on that dark day, will live forever in our hearts and in the hearts of future generations. Let them serve as lasting examples for all of us. And at the exit of the Ground Zero Museum, I left a simple note a year ago: Memory lives, freedom wins” said Prime Minister Kurti.
Prime Minister Kurti also added that Kosovo stands alongside the United States because our commitment to freedom and democracy, and our determination to defend these values, is unwavering.
Full Speech by Acting Prime Minister Kurti:
Honourable Acting President of the Republic, Ms Albulena Haxhiu,
Honourable representative of the Embassy of the United States of America in the Republic of Kosovo,
Dear colleagues from the executive and legislative branches,
Distinguished state officials,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Of all the trips I have made to the United States of America, one of the most memorable experiences was visiting, together with my wife Rita, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at Ground Zero in New York City last year. There, we had the opportunity to pay tribute, remember the victims, and learn and reflect on all aspects of the attacks that day.
Today, we have gathered here to mark the 25th anniversary of those attacks. Twenty-five years ago, four planes were turned into weapons of mass destruction, with devastating consequences: 2,977 was the number of people killed that day, but the number of victims is even higher. According to researchers, more than 5,000 people have died from illnesses and complications related to 9/11. And thousands upon thousands of other survivors continue to suffer from these consequences.
Twenty-five years ago, the United States of America suffered the deadliest attack in its history. And the world suffered one of the gravest blows to democratic values. Kosovo stands alongside the United States not only because the United States has never abandoned Kosovo. We stand with America, and we always will, because our commitment to freedom and democracy, and our determination to defend these values, is unwavering.
Ladies and gentlemen,
That nearly 3,000 people were killed directly in the 9/11 attacks is known around the world. What is mentioned less often is that 441 of the victims, nearly 15 percent of the total, were first responders who sacrificed their lives to save hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of other lives. The deeds of these heroes, police officers, firefighters and others, on that dark day, will live forever in our hearts and in the hearts of future generations. Let them serve as lasting examples for all of us. And at the exit of the Ground Zero Museum, I left a simple note a year ago: Memory lives, freedom wins.
Thank you for your participation and attention!
