Prishtina, 21 May, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the opening ceremony of the military exercise “Defender Europe 23” which was held in the “Skënderbeu” square in Pristina, and in which Kosovo is the host of this exercise.
Prime Minister Kurti started his speech by saying that ‘Today, here, in the square that bears the name of our hero and one of the most famous military strategists that humanity has known – Skenderbeu, we are marking the beginning of the great exercise directed by the ally our strategic, the United States of America’.
Prime Minister Kurti said on this occasion that the exercise Defender Europe 23 is the biggest military training event that has ever happened in Kosovo.
“Today, our republic is honored that for the second time it is the host country of the exercise that extends from the Mediterranean area to the eastern borders of our continent. Over 1,300 soldiers of our forces will perform military training tasks in the arms of 24,000 soldiers of the armed forces of 25 NATO countries and the partner countries of the United States of America”, said Prime Minister Kurti.
Furthermore, the prime minister added that the Kosovo Security Force in this exercise ranks fourth among the 25 participating armies in terms of the number of personnel engaged in this exercise, which, as he said, testifies to the will we have to develop our system of defense, but also our unwavering commitment to be part of the common defense system of countries that embrace and represent democratic values.
Wishing you success in fulfilling the objectives of the exercise, Prime Minister Kurti said that at the same time I assure you that you will continue to have the support of the Government of the Republic and state institutions in professional development and growth.
“Democracy, society and human values need the army more than ever, because democracy is the most fragile system precisely because it is the most open system”, Prime Minister Kurti said in his speech.
This is the second time that Kosovo is part of this military exercise, both times it is the host country. With over 1,000 soldiers more than in the previous exercise, Kosovo ranks fourth in terms of personnel engaged in this exercise among the 25 participating armies.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Your Excellency, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, President of the Republic of Kosovo,
Your Excellency, Jeffrey Hovenier, Ambassador of the United States of America to Kosovo,
Honorable Minister of Defense, Armend Mehaj,
The Honorable Minister of Internal Affairs, Xelal Sveçla,
The Honorable Commander of the Kosovo Security Force, Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari,
Dear General Adams,
Dear KFOR Chief of Staff, John Bozicevic,
Dear Ambassadors accredited to the Republic of Kosovo,
Dear members of the Parliamentary Committee on Security and Defense Affairs,
Chairmen of Parliamentary Groups,
Dear Mayors of Municipalities,
Dear KSF Generals, officers and soldiers,
Dear attendees,
Dear citizens,
Today, here, in the square that bears the name of our main hero and one of the most famous military strategists that humanity has known – Skanderbeg, we are marking the beginning of the great exercise led by our strategic ally, the United States of America.
Without a doubt, the Defender Europe 23 exercise is the largest military training event that has ever taken place in Kosovo. Today, our republic is honored to host the exercise that stretches from the Mediterranean area to the eastern borders of our continent for the second time. Over 1,300 servicemen of our forces will execute military training tasks alongside 24,000 servicemen of the armed forces of 25 NATO countries and partner countries of the United States of America.
In this exercise, the Kosovo Security Force ranks fourth among the 25 participating armies in terms of the number of personnel engaged in this exercise. This testifies to the will we have to develop our defense system, but also our unwavering commitment to be part of the common defense system of countries that embrace and represent democratic values.
The security of the European continent is our vital interest, as a country that believes in what it loves: human rights and the rule of law, peace and democracy. Defender Europe 21 was less than a year before Russia revealed in the most aggressive and brutal way its bloody intentions to extend violently deep into Europe. Defender Europe 23 is taking place in a tense reality, 15 months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and as such it directly concerns not only the future of Europe, but also the whole world.
Therefore, preparing to face known threats as well as unpredictable ones is necessary, just as it is necessary to increase interoperability and increase combat readiness, which are the main objectives of the Defender of Europe 23 exercise.
Dear Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari, dear soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers of our army and our friendly countries who are present here today, in front of the monument of Gjergj Kastriot – Skenderbeu, whose life and work taught us how important alliances and combat readiness to protect the order of organization and construction. Even this phrase “Stronger Together” is just a variation and echo of the famous saying of our hero Skenderbeu “Unity makes power”.
I wish you success in fulfilling the objectives of the exercise and at the same time I assure you that you will continue to have the support of the Government of the Republic and state institutions in professional development and growth.
Democracy, society and human values need the army more than ever, because democracy is the most fragile system precisely because it is the most open system.
Not forgetting the lessons from our national history and that of all humanity, let us be united, with will and with the highest discipline in the development and successful conclusion of this exercise so important for all of us.
Good luck and thank you!
Last modified: May 22, 2023