The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the Summit of the Western Balkans against Racial Discrimination, which is organized for the first time by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo.
In this summit, the prime minister said at the beginning of his speech, aims to create a practice of gathering the main actors to discuss how the countries of the Western Balkans can fight discrimination against the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, cooperating and sharing institutional practices better, in order to increase the well-being and improve the quality of life of the communities in the countries of the region.
“We need to join commitment for all our citizens to feel and be an equal part, as well as an added value of society”, said the Prime Minister, while emphasizing that in addition to institutional awareness as a starting point, we need to join work also with the citizens.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister emphasized that we can measure the progress of the development of our societies, not by how well live those who have the most, but by those who have the least. “Therefore, as the Prime Minister of all the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, I am committed to everyone equally, but mostly to those who need it the most.”
One of the most important objectives of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo remains the drafting and implementation of policies and legislation that improve and fulfill the rights of all citizens in the country, especially with a focus on the most marginalized groups of society.
At the same time, the prime minister mentioned the allocation of scholarships for 100 students of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities for studies at the Faculty of Education, as well as the allocation of 500 scholarships for students of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, in other fields of study, in addition to education.
Also, he emphasized the decision to establish a mechanism for the encouragement, promotion and institutional coordination of employment for the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in public institutions. This year we also implemented the program for 100 interns, with a priority for communities, which has proven that we all benefit from diversity in the workplace.
Prime Minister Kurti expressed the guarantee that the Government, with all the means at its disposal, will stand side by side with civil society organizations, human rights activists and community representatives, in guaranteeing and respecting human rights. Protection from discrimination in our country, in the Balkan region, and beyond, depends directly on the success of our joint efforts, said the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Honorable Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Emilija Rexhepi
The honorable ambassador of the European Union in Kosovo, Mr. Tomas Szunyog,
The honorable ambassador of the United States of America, Mr. Jeffrey Hovenier,
The honorable ambassador of Switzerland, Mr. Thomas Colly,
Honorable First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Political System and Inter-Community Relations of North Macedonia, Mr. Artan Grubi,
The Honorable Minister of Human and Minority Rights of Montenegro, Mr. Fatmir Gjeka,
Honorable Minister of Education, Sports and Youth of the Republic of Albania, Mrs. Evis Kushi,
Dear Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Republic of Albania, Mrs. Denada Seferi,
Dear members of government cabinets, MPs, representatives of institutions and political representatives from Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania,
Honorable Mr. Isak Skenderi, Executive Director of the organization “Voice of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians”,
Dear representatives of civil society and the media,
Ladies and gentleman,
I am happy that we are meeting today at the Western Balkans Summit against Racial Discrimination, which is being organized for the first time by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo. This summit aims to create a practice of gathering key actors to discuss how the countries of the Western Balkans can fight discrimination against the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, by cooperating and sharing best institutional practices, in order to increase well-being and to improve the quality of life of the communities in the countries of our region.
We need to join commitment for all our citizens to feel and be an equal part, as well as added value of society. In addition to institutional awareness as a starting point, we also need to join work with citizens. So, institutional responsibility, but also social awareness. Today we will talk and hear about good examples of cooperation, which we must follow, actively acting to improve the well-being of all our citizens, to advance positive developments in terms of protection, promotion and implementation of the rights of the communities, being aware that there are still many challenges, and that the situation of the communities is not good, both in terms of discrimination, as well as in terms of poverty and the lack of opportunities in the economic and social aspect.
We can measure the progress of the development of our societies, not by how well live those who have the most, because we know that those who have the most cry for themselves easily and quickly, but those who have at least. Therefore, as the Prime Minister of all citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, regardless of affiliation, ethnicity, religion or origin, I am committed to everyone equally, but mostly and first of all to those who need it the most.
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo will continue its commitment to improve socio-economic conditions through inclusiveness and advancing the rights of communities. Our institutions remain dedicated and committed to providing equal opportunities, providing education, employment, health and social protection to all equally and without distinction, because our societies are strong when they care for the most vulnerable.
One of the most important objectives of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo remains the drafting and implementation of policies and legislation that improve and fulfill the rights of all citizens in the country, especially with the most marginalized focus groups of society. We are working together to fulfill the goals of the Government Program, where the priority within the Strategic Goals and Operational Objectives of the Prime Minister’s Office is the improvement and advancement of the situation of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities.
With this aim, we have allocated scholarships to 100 students from the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities for studies at the Faculty of Education, so that in the near future we can have teachers from the communities in our classrooms throughout Kosovo, who give their contribution to the children of all communities in Kosovo. So, not only scholarships in general, but scholarships in particular for the Faculty of Education, for those who will then teach others.
Also, we have allocated 500 scholarships for students from the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, in other fields of study, in addition to education, but these 100 are specifically for education.
We have decided to establish a mechanism for the encouragement, promotion and institutional coordination of employment for the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in public institutions. This year we also implemented the program for 100 interns, with priority for communities, which has proven that we all benefit from diversity in the workplace.
Education and employment are closely related to each other and the engine of integration. I am hopeful that our economic growth and the support given to education will give way to all-round positive changes, which do not exclude, which do not leave anyone behind.
Dear attendees,
A significant part of discrimination happens and is repeated because it remains silent, is not announced, is not reported. A very valuable mechanism we have against this is the “Digital Platform for protection against discrimination for the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities”, which was launched by the Office for Good Governance in the Office of the Prime Minister. Therefore, I invite you to, in addition to your reporting, encourage the members of your community to use this platform, because this would facilitate our path to solutions for the issues raised by our citizens. Equality of citizens is guaranteed in the Republic of Kosovo. Being equal, we are together.
I understand that we have differences and I accept and respect and affirm diversity, but we must also have solidarity. Solidarity is solidarity in effort, it is not static solidarity. It is solidarity in commitment. We stand in solidarity with those who are in battle, with those who strive for rights and freedom and against discrimination.
So, yes to diversity and yes to solidarity.
The fact that people are different does not mean that they cannot be equal. Being equal is not related to being identical. Precisely because we are different, we must be equal. Someone is taller, someone is shorter, someone is richer, someone is poorer, someone is a child, someone is an adult and someone is elderly, someone is a woman and someone is a man. So diversity is everywhere. It is the very wealth of human life. However, this diversity must necessarily be accompanied by solidarity, and precisely by being different, we can, must and will be equal.
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
Once again, I welcome you to this summit, which is being realized in cooperation with civil society organizations in Kosovo. So, in particular, I thank you for the cooperation with the Office for Community Affairs in the Office of the Prime Minister, the organizations VORAE, Terre des Hommes, the HEKS Foundation and all the human rights activists who are in this room today and those others who they follow us virtually.
I am grateful and proud of the representatives of the communities, who make a valuable contribution in a series of positions within the government cabinet and our municipalities, in the construction of our Kosovo.
As the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, I guarantee you that our Government, with all the means at our disposal, will stand side by side with you, in guaranteeing and respecting human rights. Protection from discrimination in our country, in the Balkan region and beyond, depends directly on the success of our joint efforts.
I hope that new proposals and initiatives will emerge from this summit, as well as that our cooperation will be as fruitful as possible, in the service of the well-being of each and every citizen of our country.
Thank you and good luck!
Last modified: November 7, 2022