Prishtina, 11 July, 2024
This evening, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the event organized by the French embassy in Kosovo, on the occasion of marking the National Day of France.
In his speech, the Prime Minister expressed his congratulations to France and the French people on this anniversary of their national holiday. “The summer of 1789 was a historic summer, not only for the people of France, but also for all peoples who love freedom and democracy. On July 14, 1789, a group of revolutionaries occupied the Bastille prison, expressing the height of their discontent with the monarchy, as well as the new spirit of freedom and equality.
He added that even today, 235 years later, France is celebrating another historic summer, inspired by the same values. “The citizens of France reaffirmed on July 7 their commitment to freedom and equality, voting convincingly for the Republic and for Europe. Although separated by more than two centuries, the year 1789 and the year 2024 are closely related to each other. Despite the fact that in different parties with significant differences, the political and public union for the republic and Europe of France in July 2024, in free and democratic elections, would not have been possible without the July revolution of 1789. I am convinced that this France,
France as such, continues to inspire the European continent and the whole world.” said the prime minister.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister also appreciated the partnership and close friendship with France: “From NATO’s intervention in 1999, until the Declaration of Independence in 2008, until today, France has been among the first friends of Kosovo and continues to be among the best. In the most important moments of our history, as a people and as a country, in times of joy and those of sorrow, we have found you by our side. For this, we were, are today, and will always be grateful.”
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Your Excellency, Ambassador Olivier Guerot, Ambassador of France to the Republic of Kosovo,
Dear Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz and Mrs. Emilija Rexhepi,
Dear Ministers of the Government, Members of the Assembly, Deputy Ministers, representatives and heads of institutions, mayors of municipalities,
Dear Ambassadors and other diplomatic representatives of friendly countries,
Dear representatives of non-governmental organizations,
Dear attendees,
Ladies and gentleman,
As a history enthusiast, even as the prime minister of the most democratic state in the region, it is an honor and a pleasure to address you tonight, on the occasion of the National Day of the French Republic.
The summer of 1789 was a historic summer, not only for the people of France, but also for all peoples who love freedom and democracy. On July 14, 1789, a group of revolutionaries occupied the Bastille prison, displaying the height of their dissatisfaction with the monarchy, as well as the new spirit of freedom and equality. This revolutionary spirit also had a constructive side: Less than a month and a half after the occupation of Bastija, namely the liberation of the prisoners, on August 26, the National Constituent Assembly approved a document and historical instrument: the Declaration of Human and Citizen Rights. The first article of the Declaration affirms that: “Men, (today we say ‘People’), are born and remain free and equal in their rights”.
235 years later, France is celebrating another historic summer, inspired by the same values. Despite the predictions of almost all experts, the citizens of France reaffirmed on July 7 their commitment to freedom and equality, voting convincingly for the Republic and for Europe. Although separated by more than two centuries, the year 1789 and the year 2024 are closely related to each other.
Despite the fact that in different parties with significant differences, the political and public union for the republic and Europe of France in July 2024, in free and democratic elections, would not have been possible without the July revolution of 1789. I am convinced that this France, France as such, continues to inspire the European continent and the whole world.
This year’s summer is important for France also because of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will be held in Paris for the first time since 1924. Kosovo will proudly participate in the Games for the third time Summer and the fifth time in total. Soon, we will return the honor to you, as the host of the 2030 Mediterranean Games.
Dear attendees,
In our days, there is a lot of talk about freedom and equality, often leaving brotherhood in oblivion. Liberty, equality, fraternity: This immortal trio of values has its source in the French Revolution, continues to be the national motto of France, now in the Fifth Republic. “Brotherhood”, like “friendship”, is one of those rare concepts which define a close bond between people on the one hand, and a moral and political value on the other. This makes it, compared to other values, more powerful, more easily approaching human intuition and feeling. Of course, this is a double-edged sword: the emotional power of the ideal of “brotherhood” can also be misused to mask and justify the inequality and oppression of other groups. We know this best in Kosovo, when our aspirations for freedom and equality were once countered with calls for “brotherhood and union”.
However, in its best sense, brotherhood is an essential value nowadays. Because without brotherhood, neither freedom nor equality can be protected. The peoples who want to be free and equal in their land also have such enemies who do not hesitate to exterminate them if they had a chance. Today we mark the 29th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, the mass murder, the terrible massacre, of 8372 Bosnian men and boys. The freedom and equality gained with the revolution in France once upon a time, require the brotherhood of all of us today, to protect and maintain these values, with democratic institutions and critical thinking, with economic development and social progress, with the rule of law and a modern army.
On June 8 of this year, on the occasion of his state visit to France, the US president, Joe Biden, said of France that “it was our first friend” and “it remains one of our best friends”. I can say almost the same, on behalf of Kosovo. From the intervention of NATO in 1999, until the Declaration of Independence in 2008, until today, France has been among the first friends of Kosovo and continues to be among the best. In the most important moments of our history, as a people and as a country, in times of joy and those of sorrow, we have found you by our side. For this, we were, are today, and will always be grateful.
Bonne fête nationale!
Last modified: July 25, 2024