Prishtina, 6 March 2026
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the Commemorative Academy dedicated to 5, 6 and 7 March, held as part of the state activities marking the 28th anniversary of the Kosovo Liberation Army Epic.
Full speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Dear Uncle Rifat,
Honourable Jashari family,
Honourable Ms. Albulena Haxhiu, Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo,
Honourable families of the nation’s martyrs, war invalids and veterans of the liberation war,
Honourable Members of the Assembly of the Republic, Deputy Prime Ministers, ministers and deputy ministers,
Honourable officers, generals and soldiers of our army,
Honourable activists of the national cause, former political prisoners,
Honourable representatives and leaders of our state institutions, academics, professors, students,
Honourable Mr. Durim Abdullahu, historian,
Allow me to also greet a special guest from Albania, Agron Xoxa, son of Jakov Xoxa, the renowned author of The Dead River and Salt Flower,
Honourable participants,
Sisters and brothers,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is neither exaggeration nor boasting to say that Kosovo is the heart of Albanianhood. Where more than in Kosovo was the Albanian being violently attacked throughout the 20th century? For which part of our homeland were not one but two dozen memoranda drafted and implemented for the eradication and expulsion of Albanians? Where more than in Kosovo was Albanian resistance longer, stronger, and more persistent in defending identity, freedom, and land?
And Kosovo has its center in Drenica, where the brave and heroes assume legendary proportions. The flames, wounds, and memory of each uprising prepared the new generation of freedom fighters. In the guest rooms of Drenica people spoke and sang of Ahmet Delia, Azem and Shote Galica, Shaban Polluzha and many other brave fighters. Refusal to surrender and steadfast resistance with heart and honor, despite the enemy’s numerical and material superiority, was the tradition of this region. The body would perish, but not the ideal of freedom, as Nebih and Tahir Meha proved in May 1981, when they responded with weapons in hand to the Yugoslav police that had surrounded their home in Prekaz. Emin, Tahir’s grandfather, had fought alongside Azem Galica, and Nebih, Tahir’s father, had earlier fought alongside Shaban Polluzha.
Drenica became the school of Albanian resistance in Kosovo; therefore, it is no coincidence that our liberation army formed its first bases precisely there. The Jasharis were the KLA before the KLA was formed, because they were ready and had always been ready to begin the liberation war. When Adem, Hamza and father Shaban took up their rifles, they knew there was no turning back; peace for them would come only when Kosovo was free, even if they themselves might not live to see it. Yet they were already free, because they would not submit. The sacrifice of the Jashari family was the torch that spread the liberation war across Kosovo, the event that split the course of history in two.
After the sacrifice of the Jasharis in their home in Prekaz, Albanians understood that the march forward would not turn back. The massacres in the villages of Drenica—Likoshan, Qirez and later Prekaz—struck the Albanian family, the final line of resistance. Peace in Kosovo was impossible; the peaceful movement was insufficient. The time had come for the war for collective freedom, because only an independent Republic would bring true peace.
The era of the Jasharis’ war showed the Serbian enemy that the KLA could not be defeated as long as it was supported by the people. To keep Kosovo occupied, Serbia would have had to expel the entire Albanian population. The mass killing of civilians—sparing neither children, pregnant women nor the elderly—and the destruction of property to prevent survivors from returning would be the methods, just as they had been in 1945, in 1918, in 1912 and earlier. Just as was remembered generation after generation in the guest rooms of Drenica and throughout Kosovo.
It seemed as if history was repeating itself, but unlike previous times, our liberation war now resonated with positive developments in the Old Continent: the fall of totalitarianisms, democratization, the triumph of human rights, the revival of suppressed identities, the independence of peoples from unnatural federations, and their voluntary unification in a zone of peace, freedom, and prosperity. NATO’s intervention showed that genocidal regimes would no longer be tolerated on European soil. The declaration of independence of the Republic of Kosovo on 17 February 2008 was immediately recognized by the overwhelming majority of Western democratic states, which had hesitated to recognize the first declaration in September 1991.
The name of Adem Jashari is inseparable from that of the KLA, and they will remain inseparable forever. The Jasharis’ Epic will be commemorated eternally wherever Albanians live. Every KLA martyr is a distinct name engraved on the monument of our Republic and the freedom of our people. Every KLA veteran is a proud comrade-in-arms of Adem Jashari. Adem and the Jasharis are an inspiration to the Kosovo Security Force, which stands ready to repeat their martyrdom to defend the Republic’s borders everywhere and to serve peace in the world together with our Euro-Atlantic partners.
Today, our Republic is stronger than ever before. It contributes to security in the region. However, we cannot speak of secure peace in the Western Balkans as long as Serbia harbors ambitions to restore its sovereignty over Kosovo and hegemony elsewhere. We cannot speak of secure peace in Europe while the Russian occupation continues in parts of Ukraine. We cannot speak of peace in the world while war spreads in the Middle East. The tense situation with our northern neighboring state, the growing climate of insecurity in Europe, and invitations to engage in peace operations worldwide compel us to strengthen our defense capacities. Our alliance remains unwavering with NATO and with the United States of America, the United Kingdom, European Union member states, Türkiye, Canada, Japan and others, because it is grounded in shared values.
Kosovo’s cooperation with the Republic of Albania is a national obligation; therefore, we begin here with both anthems: that of the Republic of Kosovo and that of the Republic of Albania. I thank and salute the artists, instrumentalists, and Maestro Edon Ramadani.
The alliance with Croatia, the good relations and cooperation with Montenegro, North Macedonia and other neighboring states serve our citizens and our shared perspective in the European Union.
As every year, we bow with respect before the Kosovo Liberation Army Epic and honor the martyrs and all those who sacrificed for the freedom of the people and the sovereignty of the Republic.
Glory to them, and thank you for your participation and attention.
