Pristina, 25 April 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the Round Table organized by the Vice Primeminister of the Republic of Kosovo for Minorities Matters and Human Rights, Emilija Redzebi, on the occasion of National Turks Day in Kosovo.
Thanking the Vice Prime minister Redzepi for the organization, prime minister Kurti expressed his thanks and gratitude towards the Turkish citizens for their continuously given contribute for the Republic of Kosovo.
In his addressing, he mentioned that the last month in “Elena Gjika” school the 72 anniversary of learning in Turkish language was celebrated, saying that we are happy for this long tradition of multilingualism in our country and for the opportunity, for children in Kosovo to learn in their native language.
“Our education strategy for the years 2022-2026 includes the continuous subsidies for the drafting, reviewing, translation and the adaptation of textbooks and teaching materials in the Turkish language. Also, we plan to organize activities for learning the Albanian language for communities that have other languages, such as Turkish for example as their mother tongue, said the Prime Minister.
Prime minster Kurti said that the Turkish community is an integral part of our rich social and cultural mosaic. He added that, in order for Kosovo to be a country, where the multilingualism is promoted, we will offer opportunities to students, so they can learn the language of the environment, as Turkish is for Albanians in multi-ethnic municipalities, and thus both as individuals and as a state, we will gain advantages in the international market.
With the additional package od 3 million euro for the non-majority communities, which is expected to be approved soon, there will be support measures for new jobs for the existing businesses and the new ones, for the farmers and small producers in rural areas and for the civil society, who contributes in the integration and bringing together non-majority communities.
He said that he hopes for a useful and contributor conversation towards the improvement of life and wellbeing of every citizen, regardless of differences, which we have.
“Our common is our country, therefore we will be together in every step for the progress all around” expressed the Prime minister.
In this table, were present, The Minister of Regional Development, Mr.Fikrim Damka, as well as the Head of KDTP, Vice Ambassador of Turkey in Kosovo, Seyda Ayfin, representatives of political parties, civil society and media from the Turkish community, representatives of the Turkish community in the Consultative Council for Communities, as well as internal personal of this community in the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.
Complete speech of the Prime minister Kurti:
Dear Miss Vice Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Ms.Emilija Redzepi,
Dear Minister of the Regional Development, Mr.Fikrim Damka,
Dear Vice Ambassador of Turkey, Seyda Aydin,
Dear representatives of the Turkish community of the Consultative Council for Communities,
Internal workers in our institutions, Turkish citizens of the Republic of Kosovo,
Dear people present,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Hello everyone, merhaba. During the last few days we have celebrated not only the the Eid al-Fitr holiday, but also April 23, the Day of the Turks. It was a pleasure to be in Prizren on Saturday among the Turkish community, but also that today is marking this day here together.
In an environment like this, in the Government of the Republic of Kosovo we are not only to make decisions, but also to exchange ideas about the priorities of the community and for our collaboration in their addressing, listening to you.
I thank the Vice Prime minister Rexhepi for today’s organization and I express my thanks and gratitude towards the Turkish citizens for their continuously given contribution for the Republic of Kosovo.
Last month I went to “Elena Gjika” school in Pristina to celebrate 72 anniversary of learning in Turkish language in Kosovo, this an uninterrupted tradition, since the year 1952. We are happy for this long tradition of multilingualism in our country and for the opportunity for children in Kosovo to learn in their native language.
Last year our Government has found the solution for offering quality textbooks in Turkish language. Our education strategy for the years 2022-2026 includes the continuous subsidies for the drafting, reviewing, translation and the adaptation of textbooks and teaching materials in the Turkish language. Also, we plan to organize activities for learning the Albanian language for communities that have other languages, such as Turkish for example as their mother tongue.
We will provide printed and digital learning materials as well as professional support for schools that offer this service.
The Turkish Community is an integral part of our rich social and cultural mosaic.
In order for Kosovo to be a country, where the multilingualism is promoted, we will offer opportunities to students, so they can learn the language of the environment, as Turkish is for Albanians in multi-ethnic municipalities.
Thus, both as individuals and as a state, we will gain advantages in the international market, as well as solidarity in a republican level, where people have the opportunity to communicate and collaborate with each other.
After studying in our schools, we have seen that many Turkish citizens are contributing to the development of our country through entrepreneurship. As an example of how the community is preparing for the opportunities offered by information technology, we welcome the representation of Turkish youth in the Ministry of Economy’s “Code” program, where young people earn digital skills.
At the same time, we have many Turkish farmers, who contribute to the blessings of our tables, but also to the export of agricultural products.
However, we know that the community needs the support of the Government, so I am glad that last week we announced an additional package of 3 million euros for non-majority communities in Kosovo.
This package contains support measures for new jobs for existing and new businesses, for farmers and small producers in rural areas and for civil society, which contributes to the integration and affirmation of non-majority communities.
The announcement for the access to this fonds will be secured through the new electronical bulletin, which we have announced a few months before in the Turkish language together with Albanin, Serbian and Roma language.
This bulletin summarizes information on opportunities such as training, jobs, grants and subsidies from the Government, as well as other actors, that may be useful for the community.
Grants will be awarded this year as well from the Office for Community Affairs, which will also have reserved fonds for every non-majority community, including the Turkish community.
The office has held an all-inclusive consultation with more than 150 members of the communities. From this consultation we have received positive “feedback” about the allocation of grants and for the transparency last year and we will continue this way this year as well 2023rd.
hopes for a useful and contributor conversation towards the improvement of life and wellbeing of every citizen, regardless of differences, which we have.
Our common is our country, therefore we will be together in every step for the progress all around
Teşekkür ederim!
Last modified: April 26, 2023