Prishtina, 24 August, 2023
In the premises of the Open Balcony of the Government, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, today welcomed the Ukrainian citizens sheltered in Kosovo, among them also journalists Ukrainians within the program Journalists in Residence (Journalists in Residence) supported by the Government of Kosovo, to jointly mark the Independence Day of Ukraine.
Gathered to commemorate this historic moment, Prime Minister Kurti together with the guests praised the stability, determination but also the unity of the Ukrainian people, who, although 32 years have passed since the declaration of independence, today find themselves again in the position of having to defend their sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of their country against Russian occupation.
In his address, the prime minister said that the Republic of Kosovo stands fully behind Ukraine in this sacred mission, recently mentioning Kosovo’s participation in the G7 Joint Declaration on Support for Ukraine.
“Just this week, we joined the G7 Joint Declaration on Support for Ukraine. By doing so, we express our willingness to contribute everything we can to the defense of Ukraine, in this time of need”, said Prime Minister Kurti. He also singled out the meeting he had on Monday in Athens with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as he expressed the hope that in future meetings they can discuss how Kosovo and Ukraine can work together in promoting the values we share and the interests of what we have in common.
Along with the congratulations on the Independence Day, Prime Minister Kurti also wished the next time and soon we can meet again, but this time to celebrate the triumph of Ukraine against Russian violence, brutality and aggression, while saying that we are proud to have welcomed you in our country and happy that Kosovo is your second home.
The Ukrainian journalists in this meeting were also accompanied by the President of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, Xhemajl Rexha and the representative of the European Center for Media Freedom and Press, the Managing Director, Lutz Kinkel and Flutura Kusari.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Dear Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Madam Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz,
Dear Ukrainian citizens in Kosova,
Dear representative of the Association of Journalists in Kosova, Mr. Rexha,
Dear representative of the European Center for Press and Media Freedom, Ms. Kusari,
Good morning to you all,
Mirëmengjes,
Dobryy ranok,
It is a pleasure to have you here today on our beautiful Open Balcony, on a beautiful summer morning, on such an occasion.
We are gathered here to celebrate the Independence Day of Ukraine. This day commemorates Ukraine’s Declaration of Independence of 1991, a landmark moment that marked the end of the Soviet occupation, and the beginning of a new era for Ukraine. On this day, we are reminded of the resilience and determination, but also the unity of Ukrainian people, in coming together to re-establish its statehood as it entered the post–Cold War era.
The Soviet Union no longer exists, but the Russian Federation does. And so, 32 years after Ukraine declared independence, it finds itself in the position of having to defend the country’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity against an illegal and unprovoked invasion. The Republic of Kosova stands fully behind Ukraine in this sacred mission. Just this week, we joined the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine and in doing so, we express our willingness to contribute all that we can to Ukraine’s defense, in this hour of need.
I have consistently made this willingness clear, both in public and in closed-door meetings, including at this week’s gathering of leaders in Athens. During that gathering, it was my honor to meet President Zelenskyy in person. I hope that in future meetings we can discuss how Kosova and Ukraine can work together to better promote our shared values and common interests.
Part of our commitment to the Ukrainian people since the beginning of the war is to shelter up to 5,000 Ukrainians displaced by the conflict. Some of them are here with us today, whom I wish a special welcome on this Independence Day.
Winning a war requires fighting on all fronts. Ukrainian journalists in particular stand at the forefront of the country’s defense. In an era marked by information warfare, these journalists — both inside and outside Ukraine — have served as soldiers in their own right.
The participants of our unique Journalists in Residence program are themselves “Reporters Without Borders”. Though far from home, you continue to make vital contributions to your country.
In fact, your work today brings to mind the essential role that Kosova’s diaspora played during our own struggle for freedom in the 1990s. During that long and difficult period, Kosova Albanians living abroad directed the world’s attention to the oppression and apartheid, and then the genocide, that Serbia perpetrated against our people. In similar fashion, Ukrainian journalists in Kosova are not only covering the internal affairs of their country, but also shaping international perspectives on their people’s struggles and aspirations. This, indeed, is something to be celebrated, and also congratulated.
We are proud to host you all in our country and delighted to be your second home.
Happy Independence Day to you all. And may we soon gather here again to celebrate Ukraine’s coming triumph against violence, brutality, and aggression.
Thank you.
Last modified: August 24, 2023