Prishtina, 27 November 2024
Today, on 27 November, as we mark Kosovo Security Force Day, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, accompanied by the Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, and the Commander of the Kosovo Security Force, Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari, observed the vehicles, weaponry, and ammunition, which continue to grow both in quantity and type, at the “Adem Jashari” Barracks.
This visit took place the 233rd Meeting of the Government, during which, before its commencement, the Prime Minister signed a very important decision establishing the Interministerial Commission led by the Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, which is tasked with with initiating procedures and negotiations for the establishment of a factory for the production of ammunition in our Republic, as well as a laboratory for the design of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Extending his congratulations to all citizens on Security Force Day, Prime Minister Kurti emphasized that our Force is continually strengthening, thereby reinforcing the Republic of Kosovo. He expressed his deep gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the Ministry, the military, the leaders, and to everyone who has been engaged and contributed.
Reflecting on previous years, the Prime Minister highlighted that under this government’s leadership, the number of soldiers has doubled compared to 2021, the Ministry’s defense budget has tripled, training abroad for our officers, non-commissioned officers, and military personnel has quadrupled, and investment in weaponry and ammunition has increased many times over.
“The weaponry and ammunition you see in our army today have been purchased from NATO member countries, particularly the United States of America, Turkey, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Croatia,” he stated, naming these as the primary contributors while noting the involvement of other countries as well. He further emphasized that the vast majority of these acquisitions were funded by Kosovo’s budget, with a portion provided as donations by these friendly, partner, and allied nations.
The Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, remarked that today is a special day for the Kosovo Security Force, noting that marking 27 November as Security Force Day has now become a tradition, which coincides with past activities, the legacies of the liberation war, and the developments that our military has undergone through various stages.
“Today, we mark this day with another significant step in enhancing the defense and security infrastructure—the commencement of the military industry, which represents an important component for state sustainability in terms of defense and security,” he said.
Prime Minister Kurti’s Speech:
Honored Journalists, thank you very much for coming in such large numbers today to the “Adem Jashari” Barracks to witness the vehicles, weaponry, and ammunition, which continue to increase both in quantity and variety.
Happy “Security Force Day” to all our officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers, the Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, and the Commander of the Kosovo Security Force, Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari. On this occasion, we also extend our congratulations to the citizens of the Republic, as the military is theirs and for them.
When compared to previous years, under our governance, the number of soldiers has doubled compared to 2021, the Ministry’s defense budget has tripled, training abroad for our officers, non-commissioned officers, and military personnel has quadrupled, and investment in weaponry and ammunition has increased many times over.
The weaponry and ammunition you see in our military today were purchased from NATO member countries, with special emphasis on the United States of America, Turkey, Germany, the United Kingdom and Croatia. There are other contributing countries as well, but these are the primary ones.
The vast majority of acquisitions were financed by Kosovo’s budget, with part of it provided as donations from these friendly, partner, and allied nations.
We arrived here after the Government meeting, which was preceded by a special meeting I held with the Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, and three other ministers: the Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, the Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship, and Trade, Rozeta Hajdari, and the Minister of Finance, Labor, and Transfers, Hekuran Murati. I signed a very important decision this morningn establishing the Interministerial Commission led by the Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, which is tasked with initiating procedures and negotiations for the establishment of a factory for ammunition production in our Republic, as well as a laboratory for the design of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Our Force is continually strengthening, and with it, the Republic of Kosovo grows stronger. For this, I express my deep gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the Ministry, the military, the leaders, and to everyone who has been engaged and contributed. Now, I will hand over the floor to the Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci.
Last modified: December 2, 2024