Pristina, March 24, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, organized today, in the Government building, a reception in honor of the 24th anniversary of the NATO intervention in Kosovo, and on this occasion to express gratitude and thanks to each country NATO member for their role and contribution to the liberation of our country.
“The human suffering of Kosovo is the historical truth of Serbia. March 24 is a big day, every year, therefore, to everyone and for everyone: Be happy and enjoy yourself”, said the Prime Minister.
At this reception, the president of the country, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, the Speaker of the Assembly, Glauk Konjufca, the commander of the FSK, Bashkim Jashari, ministers, deputy ministers, MPs, foreign diplomats, former president Atifete Jahjaga and representatives and other officials of the institutions.
The Prime Minister’s complete speech:
Honorable Madam President, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu,
Speaker of the Parliament, mr. Glauk Konjufca,
Ministers and deputy ministers of our government, and members of our Parliament,
Honorable Ambassadors, Deputy Ambassadors, Heads of Missions, Chargé d’Affaires and other diplomats,
Dear colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Welcome to this reception on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of March 24, 1999 – the day when all 19 democratic member states of NATO decided to militarily intervene against the armed forces of Milosevic’s Yugoslavia and Serbia, who had started executing their ‘horseshoe’ genocidal project of exterminating the Albanian population in Kosova.
Allies in the sky, friendly airplanes high above, the escaping of enemy troops, this is how the hope of the people looked like then, for the end of the war and arrival of freedom and peace.
On this day we thank each and every NATO member for their role and contribution in the liberation of our country.
24 years ago on this day I turned 24, which makes half of my life today. Whenever in prison I was asked about my date of birth, my answer was not immediately believable and was assumed to be a provocation. Therefore, I have celebrated in a two-fold fashion ever since.
In contrast to the Open Balkan regional Initiative, my staff proposed to me the Open Balcony Initiative with friends, which I wholeheartedly embraced. So welcome again, to the newest initiative: Open Balcony.
Of course not only for this initiative and nice weather, which is escorting us today, I want to thank my staff, for the daily hard work they do and for two years of good performance they gave.
Dear Friends, international friends,
No one should be shy or feel guilty among the diplomatic corps, American or European or others, neither in Prishtina nor in Belgrade. Kosova’s human suffering is the historical truth of Serbia. The 24th of March is a great day, every year, so, to all and everyone: cheers and enjoy!
Thank you very much.
Last modified: March 27, 2023