Prishtina, 20 December, 2023
The Office of the Prime Minister organized a state reception for the end of the year where heads of institutions, government ministers, members of the Assembly, mayors of municipalities, religious leaders, state officials, ambassadors and diplomatic representatives, friends and partners were invited and present.
In his speech to the guests, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, while recapitulating the year we are leaving behind, thanked everyone for the partnership, cooperation, criticism and support during 2023 and wished them a happy Christmas and a successful new year.
The complete speech of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti:
Dear heads of institutions,
Government Ministers,
Members of Parliament,
Mayors of Municipalities,
Religious leaders,
State officials,
Excellency ambassadors,
Friends and partners,
Commanders and officers,
Activists and citizens,
Ladies and gentlemen,
We are together here, as rarely on a day as unhistorical as today. It is often historical dates that bring us together like this. But tonight is the history of our institutional, state and social relations.
We are wrapping up another year. We are faced with new challenges, and with consequences from the old ones. With a lot of effort, few complaints and no illusions. Governance is a constant battle between plans and events. Programmatic priorities and distracting emergencies. At its core is the determination to move forward and serve despite obstacles, against the odds and in the face of time that is never enough.
We were attacked this year in the north of the country three months ago and we were attacked six months ago. But we have defended ourselves successfully and are becoming more and more secure with our police and army.
The partnership and cooperation that we have had with everyone without any doubt has facilitated and supported growth and progress in both economic and democratic parameters.
Our focus and goal from the beginning has been to redistribute economic growth in society. Let’s distribute it to those who are most at risk. That they need more protection and support from the state. Our country and citizens needed a paradigm shift in governance: from large public projects where corruption was also large, to large welfare programs, where the scope is wide. During these 34 months of government, as we are also closing the financial year, we have redistributed 1.2 billion euros through numerous measures, which have affected many times, almost every family in Kosovo. This does not mean that our Government does not have and will not have large public and capital projects, because we still have big plans and goals.
Thank you for the criticism and I am grateful for the support. We strive hard for the best, not forgetting that the government must always do better and more. I wish you a pleasant evening, a merry Christmas and a successful new year – let’s get ready tomorrow for 2024. Next year will have 366 days, but this fact will not be negligible in the growing achievements, in the most successes.
Cheers and thank you!
I will switch to English for the next couple of minutes. I am happy to wrap up the year in the company of so many friends. As you all know, this year has brought some great challenges to our country. We faced attacks on our territorial integrity and rule of law. Last year there were paramilitary barricades, this year paramilitary attacks. We defended Kosova and all its citizens successfully, and we’ll continue to increase our security for all of us and each of us. Despite these challenges, we continued to deliver on promises made and implemented reforms that are very meaningful for our country. This truly speaks to the resilience of our democracy and our collective determination to move forward. We continued to grow and to redistribute growth. Growth for the sake of people, not at the expense of people.
Christmas is a time for festivity and gratitude, and coming together. So, in the spirit of the holiday season, let me express my thankfulness for the support and dedication each of you have.
Our commitment to social democracy, the battle against corruption, and the promotion of value based policy has not only enhanced individual well-being but also fostered greater cohesion within the country. In a year marked by external attempts to divide us, we have withstood these challenges and emerged stronger. This resilience is not about hollow rhetoric; rather, it stems from concrete democratic and administrative measures for fairness and equity.
We want to make our country stronger and richer, our people happier and safer, by being hardworking and smart thinking. But then again, while we always do our best, governments always can do better and more.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Last modified: December 21, 2023