Brussels, 17 August 2022
Dear Secretary General,
Dear journalists,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am glad to be here, jointly with the Honourable Mr.Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO, following our meeting, in which I emphasized the intentions of our Government and our country for the future. My Government and I as Prime Minister, are committed to ensuring that our policies are fully in line with shared Euro-Atlantic values. This is our determination, and it represents our political identity and our historical orientation.
On this occasion, I want to express my highest gratitude to NATO. In the past 23 years, NATO has made an extraordinary contribution to freedom, the reconstruction of infrastructure destroyed during the war, and the security of our country and our citizens.
The contribution of NATO to the establishment, development, and professionalism of the Kosova Security Force has been an exemplary success. Thanks to the close cooperation and coordination with KFOR, as well as to the professional advice given by the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team, Kosova Security Force and its members have reached a high level of operational skills and capacities.
All these are built and developed in accordance with NATO standards to be compatible and interoperable in joint missions and operations, in the service of regional peace, security, and stability and beyond. For this reason, we are very honored by the trust placed in the KSF to support NATO’s humanitarian operation in the evacuation of Afghan citizens since August of last year.
We are ready and committed to contribute to every NATO operation and project, with all the capacities we have. We have a clear vision — we seek membership in NATO. This will enable us to give here and elsewhere what freedom and peace-loving democratic countries and nations gave and still give to our country and citizens. In this regard membership in NATO’s Partnership for Peace Program is a stepping stone.
Kosova has demonstrated its commitment to protecting and promoting common principles and values, as well as its commitment to contributing to security and peace, not only in the region but also in the world.
The threats, risks and challenges that NATO faces in the current security environment are felt by our country as well. Kosova’s institutions and citizens, in the current situation, have reason to be vigilant about destructive approach of our northern neighbour towards Kosova and the region in general, under Russia’s detrimental agenda for Europe and the Balkans.
We are fully committed to economic development, to welfare of our citizens, democracy, human and minority rights, security for all and safety for everyone, therefore to the rule of law and Constitutionality .
Dear Mr.Stoltenberg, the Government of the Republic of Kosova, as always, welcomes your support, but above all, your dedication to sustainable peace, security and long-term stability in our region.
We stand strong and together.
Thank you!
Last modified: August 17, 2022