Prishtina, 24 August, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, and the Ambassador of the United States of America, Jeffrey Hovenier, on behalf of the two respective governments, signed today the agreement on security measures for the purpose of protecting information.
At the signing ceremony of the Agreement, Prime Minister Kurti described it as very important in the framework of our fruitful cooperation in the field of security, protection of classified information. He thanked the American Ambassador, Hovenier and the US Department of Defense as the implementer of the Agreement, for the trust shown and for further strengthening our state ties through such agreements.
The American ambassador, Hovenier, also assessed the agreement as an important achievement in the relations between the USA and Kosovo. Regarding it, he said that it represents their strong commitment to continue cooperation in the field of security and that at the same time it advances Kosovo’s ability to protect sovereignty and territorial integrity through the exchange of information with the United States. He also added that the US remains steadfast in its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kosovo.
With the agreement signed today, the two countries assume obligations for the protection of each other’s classified information, opening the door for the exchange of this information. Information categorized as such, will be stored as provided by national legislation and will not be disclosed except to those who possess a security certificate, regardless of the position or title that the person interested in the classified information enjoys. The agreement foresees the actions of both parties in relation to the lost information, the method of disposal of the classified information, and it’s sharing in relation to the authorized parties.
The Minister of Defense, Ejup Macedonci, was also present at this ceremony, as well as other representatives of the Ministry of Defense and the Embassy of the United States of America in Kosovo.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete statement after the signing ceremony of the agreement on security measures to protect classified information:
Dear citizens,
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, today I signed, together with the American Ambassador Jeffrey Hovenier, a very important Agreement, within the framework of our fruitful cooperation in the field of security, protection of classified information. I want to thank Ambassador Hovenier, as well as the US Department of Defense as the implementer of the Agreement, for the trust shown and for further strengthening our state ties through such agreements.
The concept of national security is a guide to responsible governance. The government has a duty to ensure that citizens are protected, and this is done through wise political, economic, military and diplomatic actions.
National security is a right and a need. It translates into the will and obligation of the Government to take decisions that guarantee independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty, state duties which often require the preservation of information as confidential. Such protection of information is provided for by law and provides protection as long as the national interest dictates such a thing.
Therefore today, together with His Excellency, Ambassador Hovenier, we agreed that information categorized as such, will be stored as provided by national legislation and will not be disclosed except to those who possess a security certificate, regardless of position or title that the person interested in classified information enjoys. The agreement foresees the actions of both parties in relation to the lost information, the method of disposal of the classified information, and it’s sharing in relation to the authorized parties.
Every prudent and responsible Government understands that any contrary action results in punishment, because it is a violation of the law. The disclosure of information vital to a state, whether in the field of security, defense, trade, industry, technology or foreign affairs, is preserved and protected as long as such is determined by law, the means of protecting state interests and not individual interests or preferences personal.
Once again, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, I would like to express my gratitude to Ambassador Hovenier, the Department of Defense and the Government of the United States of America, for their trust and cooperation.
Thank you.
Last modified: August 25, 2023