Prishtina, 14 June 2025
The Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, took part in the ceremony organized on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Evangelical Protestant Church, the “Fellowship of God’s People.”
In his speech, the Prime Minister emphasized that the Protestant Church has been a voice of social peace, human dignity, and public service for the common good. He added that this aligns with the vision of our state for a democratic, developed, equal, and inclusive society.
He stated that the Church’s journey stands as a testimony to a spiritual, civic, and human path of the community of believers, who have served God and their community with devotion and humility.
“Over four decades, the Church has been a place of faith, a hearth of hope, a space of solidarity, and a center of inclusion in the coexistence of our society,” he said.
As fundamental pillars of the country, he mentioned cultural and religious diversity, which he said constitute one of the main assets of our inclusive and democratic state.
“Interfaith coexistence and respect are values we proudly preserve and nurture,” he added.
In concluding his speech, the Prime Minister said that we recognize and appreciate the history, identity, and rich diversity of our country, and the role these play in promoting fundamental human rights and freedoms. The Protestant community’s commitment to dialogue, education, social services, and aid to those most in need is an example worthy of recognition.
“In particular, I would like to highlight the role in education, because we all know that Gjerasim Qiriazi was a teacher at the Albanian school in Korça in 1887, and this tradition of contributing to Albanian education is vital to our nation. Albanians, above all, are a nation of language, and education is the institutionalization of the nation as a nation of language.
On this jubilee anniversary, dear attendees, I want to express my appreciation and that of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo for your valuable contribution to our country. I hope this anniversary will be a moment of reflection and faith for moving forward together.”
Full Speech of Prime Minister Kurti
Dear Pastor Artur Krasniqi, Chairperson and leader of the Evangelical Protestant Church of Kosovo – thank you from the heart for this precious gift.
Dear Ms. Conny Duarte, Secretary General of the European Evangelical Alliance,
Dear Monsignor Dodë Lush Gjergji, Bishop of the Diocese of Kosovo,
Dear Pastor Von Golder, Church of “Disciples of Jesus,” Tirana,
Dear Dr. David Hosaflook, Executive Director of the Institute for Albanian and Protestant Studies,
Dear religious leaders and believers,
Dear attendees,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Brothers and sisters,
I am pleased to be among you today to mark a moment of historical importance—the 40th anniversary of the founding and activity of the Evangelical Protestant Church in Kosovo.
This anniversary is testimony to a spiritual, civic, and human journey of the community of believers, who with devotion and humility have served God and their community. Over the past four decades, the Church has been a place of faith, a hearth of hope, a space of solidarity, and a center of inclusion in the coexistence of our society.
The year 1985 marks the official founding of the Protestant Church under the name “Fellowship of God’s People,” although its activity has roots dating back to the early 20th century. Thus, the Protestant movement is older than the Church’s formal founding. From its beginnings to today, the Protestant community has consolidated its presence and played a significant role in the spiritual, educational, social, cultural, and humanitarian lives of many citizens in Kosovo.
Throughout these years, the Protestant Church has been a voice of social peace, human dignity, and public service for the common good.
This aligns with our state’s vision of a democratic, developed, equal, and inclusive society.
Today, as we reflect on a difficult past, on the 40th anniversary of the Protestant Church, we also mark the closure of a dark chapter in our history, as we celebrate the 26th anniversary of Kosovo’s liberation and the beginning of peace—a new chapter that enabled the declaration of independence, state sovereignty, and the economic progress we enjoy today.
In the Republic of Kosovo, cultural and religious diversity is one of the core assets and foundational pillars of our inclusive and democratic state. Interfaith coexistence and respect are values we proudly preserve and cultivate.
We recognize and appreciate the history, identity, and rich diversity of our country and their role in promoting fundamental human rights and freedoms. The Protestant community’s engagement in fostering dialogue, education, social services, and help for those in greatest need is an example that deserves recognition.
In particular, I would like to emphasize the role in education, because we all know that Gjerasim Qiriazi was a teacher in the Albanian school in Korça in 1887, and this tradition of contributing to Albanian education is vital to our nation. Albanians, above all, are a nation of language, and education is the institutionalization of the nation as a nation of language.
On this jubilee anniversary, dear attendees, I wish to express my gratitude—and that of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo—for your valuable contribution to our country. I hope this anniversary serves as a moment of reflection and renewed faith for moving forward, together.
Thank you for the invitation and your attention!
Prime Minister Kurti’s Entry in the Commemorative Book:
The Protestant Church in Kosovo and Albanian nationhood is a place of hope with solidarity, a hearth of love with heart, and a center of compassion for those in need.
Happy 40th anniversary!
