09 April 2013
A battle that has given 3 national heroes and 114 national martyrs is a battle that must be remembered with honor, and respect, but it is also a battle that should be the cornerstone of our decisions, be they political or institutional or whatever comes. Allow me to highlight two key elements of the Koshare battle, which are significant for us and for generations to come: the first has to do with political and military unity achieved in the Koshare battle, and the second is the symbolism of the border – said among other comments, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Hajredin Kuçi at the opening of the memorial event, “Eagle Days”, held under the auspices of Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, in honor of the 14th anniversary of the Battle of Koshare.
The following is the full text of the speech made by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Hajredin Kuçi at the opening of the memorial event, “Eagle Days.”
Honorable families of the martyrs,
Members of the martyr families Çekaj, Fetahu and Avdiu and all you members of the war of freedom,
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am extremely honored that today we are jointly observing the 14th anniversary of one of the most glorious battles of the Kosovo Liberation Army, one of the battles that marked the height of the political and military unity of the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo and one of the battles that culminated with the symbolic breaking of the border between Albanians.
Let me emphasize that a battle that has given 3 national heroes and 114 national martyrs is a battle that must be remembered with honor, and respect, but it is also a battle that should be the cornerstone of our decisions, be they political or institutional or whatever comes.
Allow me to highlight two key elements of the Koshare battle, which are significant for us and for generations to come: the first has to do with political and military unity achieved in the Koshare battle, and the second is the symbolism of the border
In the Battle of Koshare it was seen as never before that we can work and we can fight together. Those who obeyed the orders of the General Staff of the Kosovo Liberation Army, in the KLA Dukagjin Operational Zone and those who had in their mind the concept of Ibrahim Rugova. And, in this regard it was clear that there was political and military unity, and that this unity can be demonstrated for Kosovo citizens whenever necessary. Of course, this political and military unity had an internal command structure and was fully coordinated with the international community. Naturally, we must always be grateful for the efforts of our fighters and the work of our citizens and engagement of NATO forces, which were beside us that day and are beside us still today.
Special thanks should be given also not just to the state of Albania, but also to Albanian families across the border or here who sacrificed so much by the engagement of their sons and daughters, by providing bread and in other ways. I think the most powerful symbolism is the fact that when the Albanian people get together and when they have international partners, freedom is near.
Of course the fighters and our citizens emphasize the importance and symbolism of breaching the border. We all know that the borders in the Balkans are more important than anywhere else. Breaking the border with Albania that day had another symbolism, because by breaching this border, at the same time we set a different border, with Serbia. In fact there is no border with Albania, but only with Serbia.
Honorable citizens,
Today, it is a coincidence that it is Constitution Day. Allow me to congratulate all citizens on this day and to emphasize with full conviction that the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, the state of Kosovo was the objective of every battle since that of Adem Jashari, since that of Gllogjan, since that of Zahir Pajaziti and all other fighters and it had as its goal, the rule of law, and the constitution of our state.
So today we can be proud that we have a state, we have a constitution and we have a nation that maintains its unity whenever necessary.
In short, we can state that at every stage of our working life and of our struggles, the deeds of freedom fighters and their purpose leads us forward. And, whenever we talk to anyone, even with Serbia, we are not talking about changing borders, which were defended with blood, but only what is prescribed by our Constitution.
Congratulations on this day and glory to all our fighters and our thanks for the deeds of all those fighters and commanders who fought so hard and sacrificed for Kosovo’s liberation.
Congratulations.
Last modified: July 31, 2022