Peja, June 1, 2025
This evening, the Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, took part in the event organized to celebrate the 90th birthday of Ambassador William Walker, held in the city of Peja.
In his speech, the Prime Minister said it is an honor and a pleasure to be together tonight in honor of Ambassador William Walker.
“Walker was and remains the voice of truth for our nation, for our state, in every situation — not only on that decisive day of January 15, 1999, when he strongly confronted Serbian propaganda by stating that crimes against humanity had taken place in Reçak. That was the moment when international diplomacy and global public opinion were awakened and became aware — a decisive moment for what followed: NATO’s intervention to stop Serbia’s genocide and to liberate Kosovo,” the Prime Minister said.
He wished Ambassador Walker many decades filled with love and happiness, and thanked him for everything he has done for our country and our people — and for continuing to return and visit our beloved Kosovo.
Full Speech and Birthday Wishes by Prime Minister Kurti:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Sisters and Brothers,
Good evening to you all,
It is an honor and a pleasure for us to be here tonight in honor of Ambassador William Walker, who is celebrating his 90th birthday.
Happy Birthday, Ambassador Walker!
Today is also International Children’s Day. On the one hand, we are celebrating children — their well-being and their rights. On the other hand, at an advanced age, we are celebrating the birthday of Ambassador Walker, who was and still is the voice of truth for our nation, for our state, in every situation — not only on that decisive day of January 15, 1999, when he stood up firmly against Serbian propaganda by declaring that crimes against humanity had occurred in Reçak. That was the moment when both international diplomacy and global public opinion became aware and conscious — a moment that proved decisive for what followed: NATO’s intervention to stop Serbia’s genocide and to liberate Kosovo.
Thank you very much, Ambassador Walker!
This fall will mark exactly 27 years since I first met Ambassador Walker. Back then, Ambassador Walker was representing the OSCE — the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe — while I was serving as secretary to Uncle Adem, Adem Demaçi, the political representative of the KLA. It was that autumn when we had our first meeting. Since then, I have changed quite a bit — but as you can see, he hasn’t changed at all. I don’t know how he does it, but he seems to have stopped time for himself. So, just as we are gathered tonight for his 90th birthday, we will gather again for his 100th — and beyond.
Ju uroj shumë dashuri dhe lumturi për shumë dekada që vijnë, ambasador Walker!
Faleminderit shumë për gjithçka që keni bërë dhe për faktin që vazhdoni të ktheheni në Kosovën tonë të dashur.
Faleminderit!
Thank you, and once again — happy birthday!
