Prishtina, January 14, 2025
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, held a meeting with Ambassador William Walker, former Head of the OSCE Verification Mission, to discuss one of the most important and tragic events in Kosovo’s modern history; the Reçak Massacre and Ambassador Walker’s invaluable testimony to these events.
At this meeting, Prime Minister Kurti expressed his gratitude for Ambassador Walker’s commitment to supporting truth and justice, as well as for his contribution to the care and promotion of international assistance during the war period in Kosovo. He emphasized the significant and proactive role of the Government of Kosovo in efforts to make possible the publication of Ambassador Walker’s memoirs, which documents the horrific events of the Reçak Massacre.
Prime Minister Kurti added that this book and these testimonies of Ambassador Walker will serve as a tool for promoting the truth about Kosovo and for strengthening the international narrative that our country has experienced genocide at the hands of the Serbian state. Works like this book help us preserve the memory of terrible events like the Reçak massacre.
The Government’s commitment to the realization of this project was further appreciated, as on January 11, 2023, the Government had approved the decision to finance the research, writing, editing, translation, printing and promotion of Ambassador Walker’s book, with a financial support of 70,000 euros for this important initiative. This funding will ensure that this book reaches the widest audience and contributes to the education of younger generations about the history of Kosovo and its struggle for freedom.
This book reflects the perspective of Ambassador Walker as Head of the OSCE Verification Mission and is a true and irreplaceable account of the events that took place on 15 January 1999 in the village of Reçak. It is an important act that contributes to the documentation and dissemination of authentic evidence of the crimes committed by the Serbian regime in Kosovo, advancing international recognition of the genocide that occurred in our country during the war. The book commemorates the victims of the Reçak massacre and honors all those who gave their lives for the freedom of Kosovo. Despite the past 26 years, the Government of Kosovo and our people remain committed to ensuring that the truth is never forgotten and that those responsible for the genocide face justice.
Last modified: January 15, 2025