Pristina, February 17, 2025
Dear citizens,
Honorable Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo,
Honorable journalists,
Honorable other colleagues from the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, from our administration here,
Congratulations on the 17th anniversary of Independence. As we celebrate, we proudly remember our long journey towards freedom and independence.
Our Constitution is indeed new, but our culture is that of an ancient and indigenous people, deeply rooted in our glorious history.
Today we honor all those who sacrificed and were sacrificed for our freedom. From the heroes, martyrs who gave their lives, to the disabled and veterans of the Kosovo Liberation Army, to the activists and all citizens who stood firm in the face of challenges, we are all grateful for their dedication and contribution.
The freedom for which we have sacrificed so much requires a democracy that enables the voice of the people to be heard and the rights of citizens to be protected. And democracy, in turn, requires strong institutions—institutions that uphold the rule of law, guarantee free and fair elections, and ensure that government serves the citizens. Without institutions that guarantee human, minority and civil rights, justice, transparency and accountability, democracy remains nothing more than an idea.
Today, our Republic is stronger and more vital than ever before, not only because we have invested in security and defense, but because we have strengthened democratic institutions and normalized their functioning to serve first and foremost, and above all, the citizens of the Republic.
The economy is growing year after year, rapidly and sustainably. From the solidarity of citizens for the state, we have built a state of solidarity for the citizens. With the passport of the Republic, we travel freely without visas and with dignity to 38 countries. Our country is among the countries with the highest index of law and order and among the safest countries in the world to walk alone on the road. According to international indices for electoral and liberal democracy, Kosovo is the democracy with the greatest improvement in the Western Balkans in the last four years. Also, our Kosovo leads the Western Balkans in terms of improving political rights and civil liberties, in recent years, we have marked the greatest improvement in the corruption perception index out of the six Western Balkan countries.
These results and achievements are proof of our common progress, but also of our unstoppable progress, of the people, of the institutions, and of our European and American friends and partners. Achievements that we celebrate today, we, all of us must defend them every day.
Our success is proof that we have worked in accordance with the legacy and ideals of the nation’s martyrs, and in accordance with the rights of the people, the desires of the youth, and the dreams of children.
Happy Independence Day. Long live our Republic!
Thank you!
Last modified: February 18, 2025