Prime Minister Kurti Participates in the Opening Ceremony of the 7th Edition of the Conference of Ambassadors

Prishtina, 28 December 2024

Under the organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, the 7th Edition of the Conference of Ambassadors began today. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, also participated in the opening of this conference.

In his keynote speech, the Prime Minister stated that “our history is a success story, of a democracy that flourishes despite security challenges, of economic growth that reflects the rule of law and civil and economic freedoms, and of a people who were liberated in the face of apartheid and genocide.

Addressing the ambassadors of the Republic of Kosovo, Prime Minister Kurti expressed that it is the responsibility of our diplomatic service to tell the story of our people with courage, conviction, and determination, and to build bridges of communication so that Kosovo’s voice is not silenced in any forum, at any table, or in any discussion where our country is being spoken about.

He emphasized that, in the face of Serbia’s systematic, hybrid, kinetic, and terrorist attacks, Serbia continuously uses propaganda and disinformation as tools of its foreign policy. With open support from Russia, it has created a network of false narratives aimed at damaging our state and hindering our progress toward European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

For precisely this reason, the role of our ambassadors takes on even greater significance, said the Prime Minister, stressing that for every lie disseminated by Serbia or its elements, we must have the truth ready – our truth.

“You know that today we are in a battle of narratives, and in this battle, time and professionalism are key weapons. Every event, every reform, and every step forward we take must be made known immediately because we cannot expect the truth to emerge spontaneously. You must ensure that it is heard and reaches where it needs to. We all know that the truth triumphs in the end, but it is better when it triumphs earlier than at the end. The truth is in our favor,” he said.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister also emphasized that efforts toward membership in the Council of Europe, the European Union, international organizations, especially NATO, as well as recognition and the advancement of Kosovo’s international subjectivity, remain our shared objective.

He expressed his gratitude, as well as that of the government, for the work and dedication of our ambassadors throughout this year in representing our country, while listing some of the key shared achievements of the year.

The strengthening of the Berlin Process as a joint platform for regional cooperation, the achievement of agreements promoting the common regional market, the EU Growth Plan, the liberalization of visas, the successful application and progress in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe toward membership in the Council of Europe, the advancement of the status of Kosovo’s Assembly in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the application for membership in the European Union, membership in 10 international organizations, and accession to International Conventions were among the shared foreign policy successes outlined by the Prime Minister in his speech.

Also present at this conference were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi, as well as ministers, deputy ministers, Assembly members, ambassadors, and representatives of the Republic of Kosovo.

Prime Minister Kurti’s full speech:

Honorable Ms. Donika Gërvalla Schwarz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora,
Honorable Mr. Besnik Bislimi, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Development, and Dialogue,
Honorable Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Honorable Members of the Assembly of the Republic, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Arberesha Kryeziu,
Honorable Ambassadors and Representatives of the Republic of Kosovo,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Distinguished attendees,

Our history is a success story. It is the history of a democracy that flourishes despite security challenges, of economic growth that reflects the rule of law and civil and economic freedoms, and of a people who were liberated in the face of apartheid and genocide.

I understand that your work is often invisible, but your success leaves visible marks and is part of the collective success of our state.

It is essential that we view the role of diplomacy not only as engagement with the governments of the countries where you serve but also as interaction with the people. Public diplomacy has never been more important than it is now.

The meetings and discussions you have held with students and journalists, activists, and entrepreneurs have undoubtedly strengthened and enhanced the connections between our states and people.

We are living in the era of social networks and instant, uninterrupted communication. Therefore, communication is more critical than ever. We must always be active and constantly present. Silence can be misunderstood, and worse, it leaves room for propaganda and disinformation.

The reports you send are particularly valuable when they are swift, sharp, and accurate, as the precision and power of the words you convey matter more than the length of the document.

In the face of Serbia’s systematic, hybrid, kinetic, and terrorist attacks, it continuously uses propaganda and disinformation as weapons of its foreign policy, and precisely for this reason, your work gains even greater significance and weight.

With open support from Russia, Serbia has established a network of false narratives aimed at damaging our state and hindering our progress toward European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

You must act decisively and clearly, and be quick in your responses.

For every lie disseminated by Serbia or its elements, we must have the truth ready – our truth.

On this point, you must be both active and proactive, contributing to swift responses that must be delivered.

You know that today we are in a battle of narratives, and in this battle, time and professionalism are key weapons.

Every event, every reform, and every step forward we take must be made known immediately because we cannot expect the truth to emerge spontaneously. You must ensure that it is heard and reaches where it needs to.

We all know that the truth triumphs in the end, but it is better when it triumphs earlier than at the end. The truth is in our favor.

In the field of justice, we have initiated profound reforms to establish sustainable institutions that deliver justice, which is of great value to our democratic partners.

In the economy, we lead with the highest economic growth, driven by policies that have successfully prioritized sustainability, investments and innovation.

At this year’s end, allow me to express my gratitude and that of the Government for your work and dedication throughout the year in representing our country. Let us also reflect together on the achievements and challenges ahead.

Kosovo is still a relatively young state for most of the countries where you serve, a state that is building and shaping its position on the international stage.

The advancement of our position depends on the commitment of each and every one of us. Your work, therefore, is not merely representation but engagement in strengthening our position.

Promoting the economic, security, and foreign policy interests of our nation are your primary duties, while democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression, and human rights are the fundamental principles and values that should guide your work and that of us all.

For this duty, it is essential that everyone performs at the required level, as our success abroad largely depends on the success of our missions. Of course, you must have the necessary conditions and staff to achieve our shared objectives.

The strengthening of the Berlin Process as a common platform for regional cooperation, the achievement of agreements promoting the common regional market, and, most recently, the EU Growth Plan are key accomplishments. Additionally, the liberalization of visas, the successful application and progress in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe toward membership in the Council of Europe, the advancement of Kosovo’s status in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the application for membership in the European Union, membership in 10 international organizations, and accession to International Conventions are some of our shared successes in foreign policy. These are successes we aim to multiply in the months and years ahead.

Honorable Ambassadors,

It is your responsibility to tell the story of our people, but also to learn and understand, as deeply as possible, the history, culture, and aspirations of the countries where you serve.

Tell our story with courage, conviction, and determination; build bridges of communication and ensure that Kosovo’s voice is not silenced in any forum, at any table, or in any discussion about Kosovo.

In democracy, we are the best evidence of how a small country can lead with great values, where democracy and development go hand in hand.

These are achievements that deserve to be told and upheld. They will be lost in silence if you, if all of us together, do not place them at the center of our meetings with the governments and institutions of other states.

Our strategic orientation is clear, as are the values we represent and embrace.

The alliance, strategic partnership, and friendship with the United States of America, the European Union, and the United Kingdom must be priorities. Equally, priority should be given to relationships with other countries that helped in the liberation of our nation.

All NATO member states are countries where we focus on intensifying our relations with them.

Our efforts toward membership in the Council of Europe, the European Union, international organizations, especially NATO, as well as recognition and the advancement of Kosovo’s international subjectivity, remain our shared objective.

And finally, regarding disinformation and propaganda—which I believe is the primary battle—critical thinking is essential, but I must say that it is not sufficient. In addition to critical thinking, we always need fact verification and logical verification. Today, in this world of unrestricted communication, narrative has become more important than fact. If disinformation can be interconnected in a system with internal coherence, even though each piece of it is false, this internal coherence can impose itself as a temporary truth, which does not have temporary consequences.

Therefore, it is extremely important that, alongside critical thinking, we also have factual verification, logical verification, and a narrative of our truth, which stems from our history and the reality we have all lived and experienced.

Together, I am confident that we must work to ensure that the truth about Kosovo triumphs over all disinformation and demonstrates that Kosovo is an example for the region and the world—a country where our friends and allies can rely on for a long-term future.

I thank you for your dedication and work.

Last modified: January 3, 2025