Prishtina, 19 December 2025
Honorable Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, and Deputy Ministers,
Distinguished staff of the Prime Minister’s Office and the media,
Dear citizens,
We welcome the European Union’s decision to lift the measures that had been imposed on Kosovo. These measures were unjust from day one. Firstly, because the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo were not responsible for the escalation of the situation in the four municipalities in the north of our country; and secondly, because the de-escalation of the situation was precisely due to the efforts of Kosovo’s institutions. Meanwhile, the Republic of Kosovo and its institutions became targets of terrorist attacks, two of which had severe consequences: the attack in Banjska, Zveçan on 24 September 2023, where our police officer and hero Afrim Bunjaku was killed, and the attack on the Ibër-Lepenc canal in Varagë, Zubin Potok on 29 November 2024, aimed at causing irreparable damage to critical infrastructure. Indictments have now been filed for both attacks.
Regarding the Banjska case, all evidence points to a planned operation involving the financing and support of the Serbian state to annex northern Kosovo through paramilitary structures after a potential conflict. Had it not been for timely decisions and the swift, professional response of our special police units, the morning of 24 September 2023 would have revealed a completely different reality on the ground. For the attack on the Ibar-Lepenc canal, collected evidence and information on those arrested also confirm the involvement of illegal Serbian structures and the Serbian state itself.
In retrospect, any compromise on the rule of law would have been fatal for the Republic of Kosovo. The calm situation, free movement, and functioning of state institutions in northern Kosovo exist precisely because the rule of law and public order prevailed.
Nonetheless, throughout this period, we have never been resentful toward the European Union. We have remained fully committed to European integration, fulfilling the criteria for membership, and continuing as allies and champions of democratic values.
However, I must also say this: the Republic of Kosovo has not suffered the greatest financial measures because of the European Union, but because of the parliamentary opposition. Last month, despite our insistence, the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo was dissolved without voting on the EU Growth Plan worth €880 million and three agreements with the World Bank worth over €120 million—more than €1 billion in total—due to the opposition’s lack of will and vote. Therefore, I hope that after the elections on 28 December and the formation of the Assembly, even the current opposition will lift these measures from Kosovo.
The first item on today’s agenda is the proposal to confirm the obligation to implement CEFTA decisions and its protocols.
At the end of last year, sixteen years after declaring independence, we marked a historic achievement in CEFTA by removing UNMIK and ensuring full and direct representation of our country. This strengthened Kosovo’s voice in regional decision-making and enabled active leadership in CEFTA 2025, including the election of the first Albanian director at the head of the Secretariat.
This year, under Kosovo’s leadership, we adopted 12 decisions. Today, for government decision-making, we have decisions approved by the CEFTA Joint Committee, including: e-commerce and digital cooperation; safer medicines and faster access to them; support for businesses through reduced customs costs and faster customs procedures; recognition of electronic signatures and more equal access to digital services without geoblocking; as well as fair competition, which brings greater choice and better prices.
All of these decisions will expand and deepen trade between Kosovo and the region, as well as gradually integrate into the EU single market. These achievements translate into more jobs, better services, and a safer, more prosperous Kosovo.
Two other important points today include: the decision regarding the Jashari Family Memorial and the KLA Epic in the Municipality of Hora e Arbëreshëve in Italy, and the allocation of funds for the Student Mobility Scholarship.
A month ago, I welcomed at the Prime Minister’s Office the Mayor of Hora e Arbëreshëve, Mr. Rosario Petta. Among the topics we discussed and agreed upon was the memorialization of the heroism of our Commander Adem Jashari and his family in this Arbëresh municipality in Italy. Today, we will establish a Professional Commission to select the artist or group of artists to construct the Jashari Family Memorial and the KLA Epic in Hora e Arbëreshëve. The memorial will be a donation from the Government of the Republic of Kosovo to the Arbëresh community in Italy.
We are also allocating €1.65 million to the first group of approximately 10,000 beneficiaries of the Student Mobility Scholarship Program. As announced previously, the value of the scholarships varies depending on the distance between the student’s place of residence and their place of study. This scholarship aims to reduce inequalities and create opportunities for students from remote areas, for whom studies would otherwise be more costly. With this, one of our government’s commitments for the next mandate is already being fulfilled. As the acting government, we are already undertaking future responsibilities.
Finally, before we begin the meeting, I welcome back to their homeland our compatriots who have already arrived and those who will continue to arrive next week. For those already here, I wish them a pleasant time with family and friends, and for those traveling in the coming days, I wish them a safe journey. State institutions, starting with border police, will be at their service and on duty to ensure the best possible welcome.
Thank you.
