Prishtina, 17 February 2026
On the 18th anniversary of the proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Kosovo, on “Luan Haradinaj” street in Prishtina, the troops of the Kosovo Security Force and the units of the Kosovo Police paraded in front of citizens, heads and leaders and institutional representatives of the country. This event was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, the Speaker of the Assembly, Albulena Haxhiu, the Commander of the Kosovo Security Force, Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari, representatives of the Government and the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, other local and international personalities, as well as diplomatic representatives of friendly countries.
Full speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Your Excellency Ms Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, President of the Republic of Kosovo,
Your Excellency Mr Bajram Begaj, President of the Republic of Albania,
Honourable Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, Ms Albulena Haxhiu,
Honourable Commander of the Kosovo Security Force, Lieutenant General Mr Bashkim Jashari,
Honourable former Presidents of the Republic of Kosovo, Ms Atifete Jahjaga and Mr Fatmir Sejdiu,
Dear Uncle Rifat,
Honorable Members of the Assembly,
Deputy Prime Ministers and ministers of the Government,
Honorable ambassadors and international friends,
Honourable families of the martyrs and fallen heroes of the nation, invalids and veterans of the KLA,
Honourable members of the Security Force and Police officers,
Dear citizens of the Republic,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Sisters and brothers,
Today we mark the 18th anniversary of the proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Kosovo. A state born from peaceful resistance and popular sacrifice, from the liberation war and from international intervention.
On 17 February 2008, those elected by our people democratically proclaimed Kosovo an independent state, in a historic session of the Assembly of our country. A political aspiration was fulfilled for Albanians, while democratic Europe gained a new state with a geopolitical and geostrategic orientation towards the European Union and NATO.
But Kosovo’s freedom did not begin that day, 18 years ago. Kosovo’s freedom was conceived much earlier, through unceasing effort across generations, through non-violent resistance and through the just war of the KLA, which together with NATO bombings against Milosevic’s Yugoslavia put an end to an oppressive regime and paved the way for our statehood.
Today we bow before the martyrs of the nation and those fallen for our freedom. They are not only part of history; they are the foundations of the Republic. We honour the war invalids and veterans of the KLA, and we thank our international allies who stood on the side of freedom, on the right side of history.
On this day of celebration, we do not close our eyes to injustices. Some of the leaders of our liberation war continue to be held in prolonged pre-trial detention in The Hague, in non-transparent judicial proceedings that are entirely unprecedented for the practices of international justice.
We believe in justice, but we do not accept revising and rewriting history. The KLA war was a purely liberation and anti-colonialist war, a just war of a people occupied and oppressed under apartheid, and this is a truth that can never be changed by anyone or anything.
Honourable citizens, dear friends,
Kosovo in 2026 is a stronger and safer state than ever before in these 18 years of independence. This is thanks to the commitment of every institutional official and every patriotic citizen, through the right decisions and concrete investments.
In recent years:
- Expenditure on the army has increased manyfold;
- The number of members of the Kosovo Security Force has doubled, with the recruitment of new generations of cadets and soldiers, including an increasing number of women, which is now a declared state priority for the Kosovo Security Force;
- Investment in the procurement of equipment exceeds 450 million euros—direct investments in modern armaments, military vehicles, sufficient ammunition, and communication systems;
- We have added five new sites in strategic locations to our army, and we are investing in the development of the Main Training Area in Babaj i Bokes in Gjakova, as well as in construction and infrastructure across all barracks;
- We have invested in the education and professional training of our military personnel at home and abroad;
- We began developing the defence industry with an ammunition production factory and other forthcoming projects that will contribute to the self-sustainability of our security institutions, as well as to Kosovo’s economic development;
- Strategic partnerships with the United States of America and NATO countries have been strengthened through agreements, joint exercises and international training. For regional security, we are strengthening cooperation with Albania and Croatia.
Today, the Kosovo Security Force is developing into a professional army, interoperable with our allies, ready to defend state sovereignty, territorial integrity and the lives of Kosovo’s citizens, and to contribute alongside our allies to peace and security in the world. This is not a political ambition, but a present reality. This is a planned and irreversible state process.
Dear attendees,
Likewise, the Kosovo Police remains one of the country’s most trusted institutions. Through investments in equipment, training and capacity-building, it upholds law and order every day, in every municipality and in every corner of the Republic.
Dear soldiers and police officers,
You are not merely wearers of the uniform. You are honoured and respected servants of the Republic. Your work, your discipline and your dedication are a guarantee of our collective security.
Today’s parade is not a display of force against anyone. It is testimony to the modernisation and maturity of our state, to our ability to defend ourselves, and to contribute to regional and global peace.
Kosovo today is a democratic state—with functional institutions, a growing economy, and a clear Euro-Atlantic vision. Challenges remain, but our course is unwavering.
On this 18th anniversary of Independence, our message is clear:
Kosovo is free – and will remain free! Kosovo is democratic – and will remain democratic! Kosovo is sovereign – and will remain sovereign!
We will continue to invest in security, because we want life and freedom, development and prosperity, to be secure! We will continue to strengthen the army and the police, because without strong and professional security institutions, there can be no strong state and no peaceful living environment for our citizens, without distinction. And we will continue to work for citizens, because freedom has meaning only when accompanied by justice and dignity.
Forward with courage, with wisdom and knowledge, with professionalism and integrity; strong in bravery, as yesterday and as 18 years ago, today, for ages and forever!
Glory to the national martyrs!
Honour to the fighters for freedom!
Long live the Kosovo Security Force!
Long live the Kosovo Police!
Long live the Republic of Kosovo!
Congratulations on the 18th anniversary of our state’s independence.
Many congratulations, and thank you very much, all of you!
