Prishtina, 13 December, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, was invited tonight to the organization of the United Nations Team in Kosovo – UNKT for the end of the year.
In a short address to those present, the Prime Minister reflected on the journey throughout the year that we are leaving behind and the government so far, emphasizing cooperation and joint achievements despite the many challenges.
And for the coming year, he wished that we keep the commitment that has encouraged the current progress, and together contribute to a prosperous Kosovo, in harmony and inclusiveness.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete:
Honorable UN Development Coordinator, Mrs. Spence,
Your Excellency Atifete Jahjaga, former President of the Republic of Kosova,
Excellencies Ambassadors,
Dear representatives of the organizations within the United Nations Kosova Team,
Dear Members of Parliament, colleagues from the Government,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we celebrate the close of the year, we reflect on our country’s journey, marked by our collective resolve and notable achievements, in spite of many challenges. Our efforts have borne fruit, significantly advancing Kosova’s economic and social fabric.
In just three years, our government’s vigorous economic policies have infused €2.1 billion into the economy, more than doubling previous efforts. Our fight against informal economic practices has led to a substantial increase in revenues, with €860 million added to our state budget.
Our export figures speak volumes, leaping from €440 million to €920 million, nearing the €1 billion mark and shifting the export-import ratio from 1-9 to 1-6.
True to our social democratic ethos, we’ve invested nearly a billion euros in our people, without accruing new debt. Noteworthy are the allowances for over 387,000 children and 50,000 new mothers, alongside the creation of 10,000 jobs through policies like ‘Government for Families’ and ‘SuperJob’.
This year’s defense budget exceeds the amount of 200 million euros, or over 2% of the GDP, this criterion for NATO member states well known. We’ve conducted over 1000 police operations, dismantled illegal networks, destroyed drug and crypto-mining labs, and seized considerable narcotics quantities. Complementing these strides, Kosova has proudly submitted its SDG commitments following the New York SDG Summit, reaffirming our dedication to achieving Agenda 2030. We are poised to actively participate in the next Summit for the Future, aiming to rapidly advance the SDG targets through transformative actions aligned with our governmental priorities.
January 1st marks a significant milestone as we embrace freedom from the Schengen visa regime. This long-awaited decision empowers our citizens to travel freely, engage in international events, and foster exchanges that will further enrich our homeland, not only economically, but also socially and culturally.
As we enter a new year, let us uphold the dedication that has powered forward our progress. Together, let us strive for a Kosova that thrives in prosperity, harmony, and inclusivity.
I hope that we all now can raise our glasses to the people of Kosova: your resilience is our strength, and also to our international cooperation which makes us stronger in our official functions and better has human beings.
May we unite in our journey towards a future rich in diversity and potential.
Thank you very much.
Last modified: December 14, 2023