The speech of PM Thaçi on the entry into force of Republic of Kosova Constitution
Prishtina, 15 June 2008
Honored Mr. Fatmir Sejdiu (President of the Republic of Kosovo)
Honored Mr. Jakup Krasniqi, (President of the Kosovo Assembly)
Honored representatives of American Congress, Mr. Eliot Engel, Ms. Jean Schmidt, Ms. Shiela Jackson Lee,
Ambassadors,
Families of martyrs and you veterans of war,
Jasharaj Family,
Rugova Family.
Honored guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today is a Great Day, a historic day for the Republic of Kosovo and its citizens.
Today the Constitution of our Republic enters into force, as the highest judicial act of our newly established state, built with so much effort and sacrifice.
From this day onwards we give our new state a new fundamental dimension: CONSTITUTION.
THE INDEPENDENT AND SOVEREIGN STATE OF KOSOVO, BY MEANS OF THIS CONSTITUTION Is Established As A Liberal Democracy:
– BASED ON THE SOVERIGNITY OF THE PEOPLE, AS THE SOURCE OF A POLITICAL AUTHORITY and,
– THE SOVEREIGNITY OF LAW AS A STANDARD for the EXECUTION OF THIS AUTHORITY.
Entire generations of citizens of Kosovo have invested everything from their lives to come to this historical day. Many of them are not today among us.
Yet, the memory of them will always be at the very cornerstone of our state.
The state is build with the sacrifice of those who are no longer in our midst and it functions guided by the visions for the future.
By the visions for our children which will come to inherit our work and values.
The freedom of a nation becomes meaningful when such nation builds its own independent state, and today, 9 years after the glorious June of 1999 we have reached this destination and have thus given full meaning to the freedom of our country.
On 17 February 2008 we declared Kosov independent and sovereign state. The democratic world recognized this fact and opened the doors to our state for integration into North-Atlantic structures (NATO and EU). In the Future the UN as well.
Today we empower the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo:
– The basic document guaranteeing our collective and individual freedoms
– The highest level of law which guarantees our political, civilian, social and cultural rights.
Honored friends,
Ladies and gentlemen,
With this Constitution equal opportunities are created for all citizens of Kosova.
The empowerment of the Constitution of Republic of Kosovo is another giant step in our path to freedom.
In this path we should not for one moment forget that we have alongside our international friends, with the USA and the European Union leading among them. Therefore our people are grateful and remain eternally thankful.
Their support was and is so great and natural.
FOR A SINGLE REASON the United States of America and the European Union are the two pillars on which the civilization of freedom is based.
Our major duty as institutions and citizens remains to gain our dignified place under the umbrella of this civilization.
In this respect,
OUR LIBERAL AND DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUTION IS A DETERMINING STEP FORWARD TOWARDS THIS GOAL.
Therefore it is vital that our good governance is led by principles and legal provisions of our Constitution.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Finally allow me, by congratulating all the citizens of the Republic of Kosova, and thanking all of our friends for the promulgation of our modern Constitution, to invite all of you regardless of your ethnicity or religion, to respect and implement our Constitution as the best guarantee for the defense of our human and institutional values.
We strongly believe that this Constitution will strengthen the freedom, sovereignty and democracy of our nation. This Constitution openly protects the values which should be predominant in our country in accord with the civilized world.
Today our dreams are becoming reality.
Thank you and congratulations!
Last modified: July 31, 2022