Prishtina, 14 July 2023
“The Kosovo Police continues to be one of the most reliable institutions for our citizens. It continues to successfully implement the constitutional mission to protect the life and property of citizens, maintain public order and peace, prevent and detect crime, protect human rights and freedoms, and treat all citizens equally without distinction of ethnicity, religion, gender or age”. This is what the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, said at the graduation ceremony of the 58th Generation of the Kosovo Police.
In front of the many present, representatives of institutions and families of newly graduated policemen, the Prime Minister said that he is happy to be present at this important event for the Kosovo Police, in which 418 cadets graduated, consisting of almost all the communities that live in our Republic.
He said that since taking office, the Government has pledged an uncompromising fight against corruption, especially that which has been maintained for years in our institutions, to fight against any kind of organized crime, which above all has burdened the well-being of our citizens. “For preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our Republic. Our police, for these two years, has been maximally engaged in the fulfillment of these common priorities”, said Prime Minister Kurti.
“The same intensity of work of our police officers has continued in the north of our country, which in the past has been a comfort zone for criminal gangs led by Belgrade. Precisely because of this increased police activity in that area, successive attacks on our police officials have occurred, of which 25 officials have been slightly injured, one has been wounded, while one is currently undergoing medical treatment after the injury he received in action to arrest the notorious criminal “Llune”, he said.
All these results and sacrifices in guaranteeing the rule of law and order, as the Prime Minister said, are evidence that the duty of the police requires dedication to duty, consistency in action and uncompromising conviction in respect of legality.
Addressing the police cadets, Prime Minister Kurti said that from today “you begin an important era for yourself and for our country”. “You have a long road ahead of you, with challenges and sacrifices ahead of you, but none of them should diminish your will and mission to serve. Our police, which you have joined, is the continuation of our Liberation Army. Our freedom has come after the sacrifices of whole generations in the efforts for freedom and liberation from the Serbian occupier. As members of the Kosovo Police, you will be part of the history of our country and our joint efforts to raise and strengthen our Republic”, were the words of Prime Minister Kurti.
In this ceremony, the President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo for Minority Affairs and Human Rights, Emilija Rexhepi, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, the Minister of Defense Armend Mehaj, the General Director of Police, Gazmend Hoxha, ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in our country and other personalities.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Your Excellency, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, President of the Republic of Kosovo,
Honorable Deputy Prime Minister, Emilija Rexhepi,
Honorable Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla,
Honorable Minister of Defense, Armend Mehaj,
Honorable Director General of the Kosovo Police, Gazmend Hoxha,
Dear Ministers, Deputy Ministers, MPs of the Republic of Kosovo,
Honorable Besim Kelmendi, Acting Chief State Prosecutor,
Excellencies ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions,
Dear Commander of KFOR, Angelo Ristuccia,
The Honorable Deputy Commander of the Kosovo Security Force, Enver Cikaqi,
Dear police cadets and your family members present here,
Dear participants,
I am honored and happy to be here today among you, in this important event for the Kosovo Police and for all of us, on the occasion of the graduation of 418 cadets, made up of almost all the communities that live in our Republic.
The Kosovo Police continues to be one of the most reliable institutions for our citizens. It continues to successfully implement the constitutional mission to protect the life and property of citizens, maintain public order and peace, prevent and detect crime, protect human rights and freedoms, and treat all citizens equally without distinction of ethnicity, religion, gender or age.
As the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, since taking office, we have pledged to fight uncompromisingly against corruption, especially that which has been maintained for years in our institutions. For the fight against any type of organized crime, which above all has burdened the well-being of our citizens. For preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our Republic. Our police, for these two years, has been maximally engaged in the fulfillment of these common priorities.
About 900 police operations have been conducted throughout the territory of our country. Over 3,200 people have been arrested for various criminal offenses, such as misuse of official duties, usury, bribery, threats, violence, murder, and even arrests for attacks on the constitutional order and involvement in terrorist acts.
The same intensity of work of our police officers has continued in the north of our country, which in the past has been a comfort zone for criminal gangs led by Belgrade. Precisely because of this increased police activity in that area, successive attacks on our police officials have occurred, of which 25 officials have been slightly injured, one has been wounded, while one is currently undergoing medical treatment after the injury he received in action to arrest the notorious criminal “Llune”, he said.
All these results and sacrifices in guaranteeing the rule of law and order, are evidence that the duty of the police requires dedication to duty, consistency in action and uncompromising conviction in respect of legality.
Dear police cadets, from today you begin an important era for yourselves and for our country.
You have a long road ahead of you, with challenges and sacrifices ahead of you, but none of them should diminish your will and mission to serve. Our police, which you have joined, is the continuation of our Liberation Army. Our freedom has come after the sacrifices of whole generations in the efforts for freedom and liberation from the Serbian occupier. As members of the Kosovo Police, you will be part of the history of our country and our joint efforts to raise and strengthen our Republic.
The results and successes of the Police over the years, the selflessness and tireless work of the police officers of 57 generations before you, and the fallen policemen in the line of duty, let them guide your daily work. The police officers who did not compromise with the law and did not become part of the processes that above all damaged the image and violated the integrity of the Police, are the best example for you to follow.
In unreserved support you have a democratic and cooperative government, which will never intend to undermine your role and which will address every challenge you will have in front of you. Your challenge is our challenge.
I cordially wish you the best of luck on your graduation. The Kosovo Police will continue to remain at the service of all citizens without distinction and its doors will always be open to all those who want to be a factor in guaranteeing security and legality in our country.
I thank you for your readiness and determination, for your will and intention to honestly serve our country and our citizens.
Thank you.
Last modified: July 19, 2023