Prishtina, 20 July 2022
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosova, Albin Kurti, attended the meeting under the topic “Assessment of the state of play of the Turkish community in Kosova”, to discuss various issues of this community in the Republic of Kosova, the challenges they face, their concerns, but also the ideas and modalities in overcoming these obstacles.
In his introductory speech, Prime Minister Kurti highly appreciated the contribution of the Turkish community in the Republic of Kosovo for development, democratization, but also for the independence of the Republic of Kosova.
“We are aware that even before the war and after the war, but also before the declaration of independence and after the declaration of independence, we have always maintained great interpersonal, civic and political relations,” he said.
The Prime Minister expressed his conviction that we can do more and we can do better by identifying the obstacles, difficulties and challenges we face and overcome them together with civic and social will on the one hand, but also with commitment and responsibility on the other hand.
Speaking about the connection and relations between Kosova and Turkey, the Prime Minister emphasized that we never want the Turkish community to not participate in the connection between Kosova and Turkey, which is an essential element of the strong bridge between both countries.
The Deputy Prime Minister for Minority Issues and Human Rights, Mrs. Emilija Redžepi, also attended this meeting. She expressed her gratitude to the Prime Minister Kurti for the support he has given regarding human and community rights, without any distinction.
Various issues important for the Turkish community were discussed during the meeting. The people present in the meeting expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister Kurti for everything he has done and is doing for the Turkish community.
Full speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Thank you very much Deputy Prime Minister Rexhepi
Dear participants,
It is a pleasure and an honor being together today to discuss various issues of the Turkish community in the Republic of Kosovo, which has contributed a lot to the development, democratization, but also to the independence of the Republic of Kosovo.
We are aware that even before the war and after the war, but also before the declaration of independence and after the declaration of independence, we have maintained great interpersonal, civic and political relations. But we are convinced that we can do more and we can do better by identifying the obstacles, difficulties and challenges we face and overcoming them together with civic and social will on the one hand but also with institutional commitment and responsibility on the other hand. When society and institutions come together, then there is no obstacle that is insurmountable. Before we overcome the obstacles, we should identify the obstacles as challenges that make us even stronger for the period to come, because through challenges, all of us, both individually and collectively, strive to become stronger for the good and right path forward.
I also want to extend my gratitude as Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo for the contribution you make to the economy of our country because this is often forgotten. It is mentioned the contribution to culture, but not the contribution to the economy, the contribution to crafts, the contribution to industry, the contribution to agriculture, the contribution to production, the trade of our country and the contribution with the taxes that you pay to the state budget, which supports all us as institutions for the benefit of the citizens of the Republic.
It is a great contribution to the economy of our country, which should always be highlighted.
On this occasion, I wanted to hear more from you at today’s meeting, take notes and see the ideas for overcoming them, considering that we are a government that on Saturday completes 1/3 of the first term, and we still have 2/3 until the next elections, so we have enough time behind to see what we did, but at the same time we have twice as much time ahead to see what we can change within this first mandate of this government, which came after the historic elections for our country in February of last year.
I thank all of you and each of you from the bottom of my heart for having a dual role as citizens and citizens of the Turkish community in our country, but at the same time as a bridge connecting Kosovo with an ally country and partners, such as the Republic of Turkey.
We never want you not to participate in the connection between Kosovo and Turkey, or not to consider you too, because you are an essential element of the strong bridge between our two countries.
Thank you.
Last modified: July 21, 2022