Pristina, 28 March, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, accompanied by the Minister of Defense, Armend Mehaj, participated today in the ceremony of the change of command of the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team (NALT), from Brigadier General, Joachim Hoppe, to General Brigadier Ralf Hammerstein, in the premises of the Ministry of Defense.
In his speech to the audience, the prime minister said that the Kosovo Security Force has consistently shown that it is an institution with high credibility among citizens and that this trust, like the Ministry of Defense, is based on two powerful pillars: the war of our people for freedom and the support of our partners.
And as an outstanding partner and friend of Kosovo, Prime Minister Kurti described General Hoppe, whom he said that even though today marks the end of his duty here, his contribution exceeds the time of his mandate, as he expressed his conviction that will always remain a permanent friend of the Republic of Kosovo and its citizens.
Among NALT’s contributions and supports, he singled out that of General Hoppe. General Hoppe’s support in the drafting of the three basic laws of the Ministry of Defense and the KSF, the establishment of the parliamentary commissioner for the KSF and the close cooperation in improving the recruitment process, has been decisive for the effective improvement of the democratic civilian oversight of the Force. , says the Prime Minister. Additionally, he added, under General Hoppe’s leadership, NALT has made valuable contributions in other areas, including the work of revising our National Response Plan.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Kurti once again wished General Hammerstein welcome and success in his new task, assuring him that the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and he personally will continue to work with him and his team. At the same time, he emphasized that he will continue to support the country’s defense and security, and will remain fully committed to the development of our force in accordance with NATO procedures and standards.
Before the change of command ceremony, Prime Minister Kurti, accompanied by the Minister of Defense, Armend Mehaj, met with the Head of the Operations Division of the NATO International Staff, Ariella Viehe.
The Prime Minister’s complete speech:
Dear Minister Mehaj,
Dear Chief of Current Operations, NATO General Staff Operations Division, Ariella Viehe,
Honorable Deputy Commander of the Kosovo Security Force Major General Enver Cikaqi,
Dear Commander of KFOR, Ristuccia,
Dear General Hoppe,
Dear General Hammerstein,
Dear Generals of the Kosovo Security Force,
Dear former Defense Ministers and former KSF Commanders,
Dear Ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions in Kosovo,
Dear officers and non-commissioned officers of KSF and NALT,
Dear participants, ladies and gentlemen,
The Kosovo Security Force has consistently shown that it is an institution highly trusted by the citizens. This trust given to this professional and dedicated body – and the Ministry of Defense more broadly – rests on two powerful pillars: the struggle of our people for freedom and the support of our partners. These partners are friends of our country who have come to Kosovo not only to fulfill the task assigned to them, but also to fulfill a mission; the principled task of supporting the construction of a partner force aimed at protecting a population that for centuries has resisted the existential threats of aggression and occupation.
A good example of such a friend of Kosovo, who truly honored this noble duty here, is you, General Hoppe. Although today marks the end of your duty here, your contribution far exceeds the time of your mandate and I am fully convinced that you will always remain a permanent friend of the Republic of Kosovo and its citizens.
For more than two decades, NATO has played a varied but always undeniably essential and welcome role in this country, serving the primary purpose that security is a fundamental right that should be enjoyed by the citizens of a country.
Through one of the current forms of its role, the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team (NALT) to the Ministry of Defense and the KSF, the Alliance enables us to maintain our current security and secure a future towards Partnership for Peace and membership in NATO. The contributions of NALT are manifold.
Among them, the support from NALT and in particular from General Hoppe, in the drafting of the three basic laws of the Ministry of Defense and the KSF, the establishment of the parliamentary commissioner for the KSF and the close cooperation in improving the recruitment process, was decisive for effective improvement of civilian democratic oversight of the Force. In addition, under General Hoppe’s leadership, NALT has made valuable contributions in other areas, including work on revising our National Response Plan.
As we admire the achievements of the past, so we welcome the bright promise of the future. At this transfer of command ceremony, I would like to take the opportunity to once again welcome General Hammerstein and also assure him that the Government of Kosovo and I personally will continue to work with him and his team. We will continue to support our defense and security by increasing the budget for this vital sector and remain fully committed to developing our force in accordance with NATO procedures and standards. We are firm in our belief that Kosovo’s future is towards membership in the EU and NATO and we look forward to paving that path as well as contributing to regional, European and global security.
Once again General Hoppe, thank you for your support and dedicated work, I wish you and your family health and success. I always call you General Hoppe (as in the word hope), but these last few days I prefer to call you General Hoppe because I don’t feel like saying that General Hoppe (as in the word hope) is leaving. I am sure that you will continue to maintain relations with the people here and although I am sure that you now know very well, I would like to emphasize once again that you are always welcome in Kosovo whenever you get the chance.
General Hammerstein, I wish you success in your new assignment and reiterate that you will have our full support in accomplishing your team’s mission.
Last modified: March 29, 2023