Ferizaj, 29 December, 2023
After nine weeks of basic training, the second generation of Basic Military Training at the Doctrine and Training Command graduated today, a ceremony attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, as well as the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani – Sadriu , Minister of Defense, Ejup Makedonci and other local and international representatives.
The graduation of 325 soldiers who today begin the noble task of serving the homeland in defense and maintaining the inalienable peace, marks almost the doubling of the total number of the army, while as the prime minister said, we have quadrupled the training of the military in relation to the governments of the past.
“Our army is growing and will continue to develop, with young men and women like you who want to serve the country, exactly like the bald eagle that is embroidered as an emblem on your arms, and that you carry with honor and pride wearing the uniform of Kosovo Security Force”, Prime Minister Kurti added.
The Government’s unsparing support for the army has been proven for every year of government, where since the first year of government, the year 2021, the budget for the army was raised for the first time in the amount of over 100 million euros, until this year it was over 200 million euro – or over 2% of the Gross Domestic Product according to the criteria of NATO member states.
Congratulating the new recruits, Prime Minister Kurti expressed his pride for the Kosovo Security Force, a feeling that stems from a great team work, the ministerial investment in the training and education of the military and the supply of weapons and other equipment.
“From today you are the next pillar of the structure of our Force. Together we will journey towards service in the largest military alliance, in NATO, and at the same time peace and security in our country and beyond”, concluded the Prime Minister in the oath of the new soldiers.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Your Excellency, Vjosa Osmani – Sadriu, President of the Republic of Kosovo,
Honorable Minister of Defense, Mr. Eyup Macedonia,
Honorable Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Defense, Shemsi Syla,
Dear KSF Commander, Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari,
The honorable deputy commander of KFOR, Mr. Federico Bernacca,
Dear soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers,
Dear Kosovo Security Force recruits and family members,
Ladies and gentleman,
Sisters and brothers,
We are here together to crown your success demonstrated throughout the 9 weeks of basic training.
Your group is very special because you are the largest group to ever graduate from our military, 325 in all.
From today you begin the noble as well as challenging task of serving the motherland in defense and maintaining the inalienable peace.
We promised that the army will have the full support of the Government. We have witnessed this every year of our government. Initially, in the first year of government, in 2021, we raised the budget for the first time in the amount of over 100 million euros. Since that year, the budget for the army has always been bigger and always on the rise. This year, it was over 200 million euros – or over 2% of the Gross Domestic Product according to the criterion of NATO member states. So twice more only compared to our first year of government.
Meanwhile, with you today we are marking almost the doubling of the total number of the army, as we have quadrupled the training of the military in relation to the previous governments.
Our army is growing and will continue to develop, with young men and women like you who want to serve the country, just like the bald eagle that is embroidered as an emblem on your arms, and that you carry with honor and pride wearing the uniform of the Force of Security of Kosovo.
Here in front of you I want to express the pride I feel for the Kosovo Security Force. There is no doubt that this feeling of pride is the result of a great team work, the ministerial investment in the training and education of the military and the supply of weapons and other equipment. But more than that, your spiritual investment, your willingness to dedicate yourself to your homeland, your willingness to protect it and guarantee its future.
From today you are the next pillar of our Force structure. Together we will journey towards service in the largest military alliance, NATO, and at the same time peace and security in our country and beyond.
Recruit, congratulations on graduation. May you always be white-cheeked!
Last modified: January 5, 2024