Prishtina, 22 April, 2026
Honorable Ms. Atifete Jahjaga, former President of the Republic of Kosovo,
Honorable Minister of Trade of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Ömer Bolat,
Honorable Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Sabri Tunç Angılı,
Honorable Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Fikrim Damka,
Honorable Mr. Özkan Ulutaş, Commander of KFOR,
Honorable Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the Government,
Honorable Members of Parliament,
Honorable Representatives of Local and International Institutions,
Honorable Representatives of the Turkish Community in Kosovo,
Honorable Guests from North Macedonia,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Sisters and Brothers,
It is a special pleasure and honor to be together today to mark the National Day of Turks in Kosovo. Therefore, your presence, Mr. Minister, as well as all the honored guests, clearly demonstrates the depth of relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Turkey, as well as the historical, cultural and human ties that unite our peoples.
The Turkish community in Kosovo is an integral part of the development of our democratic state. Through its continuous participation in public institutions, the educational system, cultural life and economic development, it contributes significantly to strengthening social cohesion. The affirmation and preservation of the identity of the Turkish community constitute an important value of the Republic of Kosovo, in full compliance with the constitutional principles of equality and inclusion, reflecting our vision for an inclusive state, where every citizen enjoys full equality.
The representation of the Turkish community at the highest levels of government, including the position of Deputy Prime Minister, is clear evidence of our commitment.
Relations between Albanians and Turks are not limited to the historical dimension, but extend to a common cultural, intellectual and spiritual space. Figures such as Sami Frashëri, Mehmet Akif Ersoy and many other personalities from different historical and contemporary periods represent a living testimony of this deep interaction and a legacy that is shared and continues to influence the shaping of our identities.
At the same time, the role of the Albanian community in Turkey remains important and this community has made a valuable contribution to the construction and development of the Republic of Turkey and continues to be an active factor in its social, cultural and economic life. Together with the Turkish community in Kosovo, these two realities constitute lasting human and cultural bridges between our two countries.
The commitment of the Republic of Kosovo to the protection of the identity and rights of all communities is clearly reflected in the status of the Turkish language in our educational and institutional system. Education in the Turkish language is offered from preschool to university level, demonstrating an advanced standard of protection of linguistic and cultural diversity, beyond relevant international frameworks.
A special prove to our closeness was the last football match between our two countries. We shared moments of joy together before and after the match; during it we competed as opponents, but always with respect and sportsmanship. This is a clear message: we may face each other on the field, but we remain close friends off it. Even though we failed to qualify for the World Cup this time, we, as proven friends, wish the Turkish national team great success.
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
Our common task is to further deepen these ties and transform them into sustainable strategic cooperation. In this regard, we are committed to expanding economic cooperation between our two countries. The organization of the Economic Forum in Pristina this year will serve as a concrete platform for bringing businesses closer together, encouraging investments and deepening economic partnership.
We also aim to strengthen our international ties through the opening of a new airline by Turkish Airlines, which will connect Kosovo with the United States of America, contributing to the growth of our global and economic connectivity. In particular, I welcome the commitment of the Minister of Trade, Mr. Bolat, to ensure that this is realized as soon as possible.
In the field of education and academic cooperation, we aim to further advance institutional exchanges, including the opening of the Department of Albanian Language and Literature at Istanbul University. This step will contribute to the formation of new generations of Albanian language teachers for our community in Turkey, while preserving the language and cultural identity in a spirit similar to that enjoyed by the Turkish community in Kosovo. At the same time, we also aim to open a branch of a Turkish Technical University in Kosovo, with the aim of strengthening the connection between education, innovation and economic development, as well as creating new opportunities for young people and advanced academic and scientific cooperation between our two countries.
The Republic of Turkey remains an important strategic partner of the Republic of Kosovo. Its continued support constitutes an important pillar of the development of our bilateral relations. In this spirit, we express our deep gratitude to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Government of the Republic of Turkey for their continuous and valuable support in strengthening the international position of the Republic of Kosovo.
April 23 also coincides with a historic moment for the Republic of Turkey – the establishment of the National Assembly in 1920, which is marked as National Sovereignty Day and Children’s Day. On this occasion, I extend my warmest congratulations on this important day.
We remain committed to building a democratic, inclusive Kosovo, where every citizen is equal and where coexistence is a principle.
Happy National Day of the Turks of Kosovo!
Thank you! Teşekkürler!