Pristina, February 20, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Minister of Defense, Armend Mehaj and the commander of the KSF, Bekim Jashari, accompanied by the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey, Sabri Tunç Angılı, has received at the “Adem Jashari” International Airport in Prishtina, the members of the Kosovo Security Force, who tonight returned from the search and rescue mission, after the earthquake that hit Turkey.
Upon returning to Kosovo, the 39 soldiers were warmly thanked by Prime Minister Kurti, for the commitment, sacrifice and bravery shown there.
The soldiers were welcomed and awarded with medals as evidence of our attention and gratitude for the courage shown in the Republic of Turkey after the fatal earthquake of very large and tragic proportions that have shocked even the people of Kosovo.
“It is our humanitarian obligation, but at the same time it is also our duty as a partner, as an ally and as a state and friendly people of the Republic of Turkey to help them in these difficult days and this was done exactly through you who, without wasting time, left within a few hours for Turkey and then stayed until now, trying with everything you can and know to save lives, to get people out of the ruins”, said Prime Minister Kurti.
Remembering that thanks to the help of the KSF, at least four lives were saved in Hatay, the Prime Minister also thanked the Republic of Turkey for the reception they gave them there and at the same time for the technical and logistical assistance they provided to the members of the KSF.
A contingent of KSF members, consisting of urban search and rescue specialists, emergency medicine and K9 units, on February 6, had left for Hatay, Turkey, to come to the aid of the Turkish people and Turkish institutions.
Prime Minister Kurti’s full statement to the media:
Dear officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Kosovo Security Force,
Together with your and our Commander, Bashkim Jashari, together with the Minister of Defense, Armend Mehaj, as well as with the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey in Kosovo, who took office last week, the new ambassador, accompanied by other officials of the Embassy, but also from representatives of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Turkey, we came here to welcome you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your work and courage.
Therefore, these well-deserved medals are evidence of our attention, evidence of our gratitude for the courage shown in the Republic of Turkey after the fatal earthquake of very large tragic proportions that have shocked the people of Kosovo.
I know that the 39 members of the Kosovo Security Force were in Hatay and in the areas there that were hit by the earthquake, and on this occasion I thank them as well as those who were in the urban search and rescue, as well as the doctors, as well as those of who took care of those wounded.
We already know that at least four lives have been saved by you, but there are also more than 50 corpses pulled from the ruins in Hatay. It is our humanitarian obligation, but at the same time it is also our duty as a partner, as an ally and as a state and friendly people of the Republic of Turkey to help them in these difficult days and this was done exactly through you who, without wasting time, left within a few hours for Turkey and then stayed until now, trying with everything you can and know to save lives, to get people out of the ruins. Unfortunately, in most cases, they are dead, but at the same time, they also take care of those who were in need.
On this occasion, I would like to thank the Republic of Turkey once again for the reception they have given you there and at the same time for the technical and logistical assistance they have provided you, and on this occasion undoubtedly the people of Kosovo, our Republic has only further strengthened its ties with the people and the Republic of Turkey.
Thank you once again and hearty congratulations for the commitment, sacrifice and bravery shown there.
Last modified: February 22, 2023