Prishtina, 2 May 2025
Today, the acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the opening of the promotional exhibition “Bridges”, which will be open from 2 to 10 May at “Skënderbeg” Square in Prishtina. This exhibition offers an overview of the Arab culture and heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through exhibitions, traditional objects and various cultural activities.
In his speech, Prime Minister Kurti praised the continuous support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Kosovo, especially during difficult periods, describing it as evidence of the strong and sincere friendship between the two countries. He emphasized that today Kosovo and Saudi Arabia are partner countries, with bilateral relations that are constantly strengthened and expanded in various fields.
“We are working with dedication to bring our peoples closer together through bridges of cooperation in the fields of tourism, education, economy and culture. Over the past few years, thousands of citizens from both countries have visited each other for various reasons, whether for tourism, business or religious purposes,” he said.
At the exhibition organized by the Islamic Community of Kosovo, the Prime Minister said that we are here to recognize and further advance our cooperation and also the culture, tradition and heritage of Saudi Arabia, which is also being revealed on this occasion, as every day, of course, we are committed to strengthening the bridges of partnership between the Republic of Kosovo and Saudi Arabia.
“Last year, in the spirit of facilitating this exchange and further rapprochement, an agreement was signed for direct flights between Kosovo and Saudi Arabia, which reflects the increasing level of our cooperation,” said the Prime Minister.
According to him, this exhibition, opened for the first time in Prishtina, could not have a more representative name for the Arab tradition in general and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in particular, than its current name, “Bridges”.
“The Arab tradition, if we were to express ourselves in the language of the great French historian and Arabist of the last century, Fernand Braudel, is the historical bridge that connects Greek and Roman antiquity with global modernity”, he said.
Meanwhile, in the context of our country, Prime Minister Kurti highlighted the extraordinary cultural wealth, which, through its diversity in the form of both material and spiritual creativity, represents a universal value that serves as a key to fostering social interaction and overcoming differences among the various communities living in our country.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister thanked the Islamic Community of Kosovo for organizing this exhibition, which, as he said, is an activity that brings us closer to the culture of Saudi Arabia.
“Close cooperation with state institutions, the religious community, owners, artisans, civil society, and especially with friendly countries of Kosovo, is of particular importance. Today, in this exhibition organized by the Islamic Community of Kosovo, as we become acquainted with the values of the cultural heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the values of each other, we truly create bridges of cooperation and interaction with each other. Therefore, I would like to express my gratitude to the Islamic Community of Kosovo, which brought us this exhibition as an activity, which brings us closer to the culture and acquaintance with Saudi Arabia”, Prime Minister Kurti said at the end of his speech.
Full speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Honorable Mufti Naim Tërnava,
Honorable Mr. Ahmet Al Harbi, Deputy Ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Tirana,
Honorable Mayor of Prishtina, Mr. Përparim Rama,
Honored guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Sisters and brothers,
Saudi Arabia has stood by the people of Kosovo at key moments in our recent history. The support provided by this friendly country, especially during difficult times, has been essential for Kosovo and is a testament to a strong and sincere friendship. We are deeply grateful and remain forever grateful.
Today, our two countries are partner countries, with bilateral relations that are constantly strengthening and expanding in various fields. We are working with dedication to bring our peoples closer together through bridges of cooperation in the fields of tourism, education, economy and culture. Over the past few years, thousands of citizens from both countries have visited each other for various reasons, whether for tourism, business or religious purposes.
Last year, in the spirit of facilitating this exchange and further rapprochement, an agreement was signed for direct flights between Kosovo and Saudi Arabia, reflecting the growing level of our cooperation.
And this exhibition could not have a more representative name for the Arab tradition in general and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in particular, than its current name, “Bridges”.
The Arab tradition, if we were to express it in the language of the great French historian and Arabist of the last century, Fernand Braudel, is the historical bridge that connects Greek and Roman antiquity with global modernity.
But before that, it is above all the axis where the intersection of prophetic messages occurred. The oasis, where God sent prophets who conveyed the message of unity and union. The oasis, where it was thought about how to make suffering and scattered humanity one in equality. The place, where the prophetic message gave the slave Bilal freedom and treated him as a human being.
It is the bridge that enables the meeting of great cultural areas and rich geographical routes. It enables the meeting of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean, of Europe with Africa and Asia.
In addition to the bridge that connects, it is also a center that makes us reflect. From the word of God and political justice, like that with Jerusalem for centuries, we find a tradition that honors the past and gives the future of humanity the message of peace and unity.
And we are here to recognize and further advance our cooperation and also the culture, tradition and heritage of Saudi Arabia, which is also being revealed on this occasion, as every day, of course, we are committed to strengthening the bridges of partnership between the Republic of Kosovo and Saudi Arabia.
Our country has an extraordinary cultural wealth, the diversity of which is expressed today in the form of material and spiritual creativity, inherited from our past. We recognize and appreciate the diverse wealth of our state. This is a universal value and key to creating social interaction and overcoming differences between the different communities that live in this state of ours. We are committed to placing culture and cultural heritage at the center of the fundamental principles of coexistence, mutual respect and development of a democratic society.
Close cooperation with state institutions, the religious community, landowners, artisans, civil society, and especially with friendly countries of Kosovo, is of particular importance. Today, in this exhibition organized by the Islamic Community of Kosovo, as we get acquainted with the values of the cultural heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the values of each other, we truly create bridges of cooperation and interaction with each other. Therefore, I would like to express my gratitude to the Islamic Community of Kosovo, which brought us this exhibition as an activity, which brings us closer to the culture and acquaintance with Saudi Arabia.
Thank you.
Last modified: May 5, 2025