The speech of Prime Minister Thaçi on the Turkish Memorial Day, April 23
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the calendar of Memorial Holidays of the Republic of Kosovo, we remember April 23 with dignity and pride, as the Memorial Day of Kosovo Turks.
Kosovo Turkish population is a part of the communities of our country, which played an important societal, political and cultural role by representing an asset the wide spectrum of Kosovo communities.
The Turkish people, in a natural way and in harmony with its interests and that of the majority of Kosovar citizens, were a part of the historical processes, which led towards Kosovo’s freedom and independence.
In all historical period of modern Kosovo, the Turkish community played a positive role by preserving and fostering harmony, friendship, tolerance and respect with the other communities and the majority community in Kosovo.
It is these humane principles, which have made the Turkish community to be active, and part-taker in all significant processes of state-building and of establishing Kosovo institutions.
Turkish community contributed in all the stages of transition by being an active part of local government institutions, where he was the largest in numbers, but also in the central government level, by contributing in the Assembly, in Government and in other segments of our society.
Turkish community representatives are a part of the process of declaring Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state on February 17, 2008.
Turkish community in Kosovo is the best example of the overall integration in the institutional life of our country.
Community representatives are everywhere: in the ranks of Kosovo Security Force, in Kosovo Police, in the Constitutional Court, in University and other institutions.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This historical journey of the Turkish community with the fate of Kosovo has made that our young country will have turkey as a friend country, an important country that is developing and being modernized with a great dynamics and drive.
Turkey has played an important role in supporting Kosovo just war in 1998 and 1999 by becoming a part of NATO campaign which was crowned in the successful finish of the war for the liberation of Kosovo.
The presence of Turkish service members within KFOR is yet another contribution to the strengthening and friendship and respect between Kosovo and Turkey as well as of strengthening harmony and relationships between the Turkish Community and other communities.
The recognition of Kosovo’s independence by the Turkish state and the contribution of Turkish diplomacy in expanding Kosovo’s recognition where Ankara has an impact, are welcome for the state of Kosovo.
The Government of Kosovo is grateful for this position of Turkey.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Kosovo is a sovereign and democratic state respecting universal human rights and freedoms, those of the citizens and of communities.
Despite being a young democracy, Kosovo has included and sanctioned in its supreme document, in the Constitution, the protection of universal human rights, of communities and of its citizens.
Kosovo is the homeland of all its citizens regardless of the ethnicity, religion or culture.
Kosovo’s diversity and many cultures, languages, religions and communities are its wealth.
Being aware of the fact of how much it has suffered itself due to national discrimination, violence and violation of human rights, today, with great institutional responsibility, Kosovo protects and supports communities.
The Government of Kosovo expresses its gratitude to all international government and non-government organization who have contributed in various forms towards increasing the quality of life and in creating conditions for a better life for all its citizens, especially for the communities.
The Government of Kosovo will be engaged with all its potential in creating an safe environment and providing conditions for community development thus becoming a role model in the region and beyond.
On the Day of Turkish Community of Kosovo, we reaffirm the position of the Government of Kosovo on furthering the political and humane climate in order that Kosovo communities will be equal authors and the actors in realizing their freedoms and rights.
The Government of Kosovo will continually support fostering of national traditions, of language, art, culture and community identification values.
These values have universal dimensions bringing people closer to one another, befriending countries and building the perspective of integrations while serving progress and development.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On my personal behalf and on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, I want to use this opportunity today, on April 23, to express my best congratulations to the Turkish Community in Kosovo and to their families on this Memorial Day.
Our destiny is connected to the destiny of the new Kosovo, the free and sovereign Kosovo, of the Kosovo that is walking towards Euro-Atlantic integrations with a clear vision.
Thank you!
