Drenas, Skenderaj, 30 April 2026
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Speaker of the Assembly, at the same time Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, paid tribute and laid fresh wreaths at the cemeteries of the martyrs and victims in the villages of Shtuticë, Vërboc, Gllobar, and Baks, on the 27th anniversary of their fall.
On this occasion, he stated that their blood has been transformed into the light of freedom that illuminates our path forward, reminding us where we come from and, in this way, ensuring that we know where we are going.
“After 27 years, many Serbian criminals are being arrested or tried in absentia, and there has been progress both in clarifying the fate of the missing—those forcibly disappeared—and in punishing Serbian criminals,” said the Prime Minister, adding that the martyrs and victims of the nation are always remembered and will be remembered forever.
Full speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
In Shtuticë and Vërboc, in Gllobar and Baks, in various villages of Drenica, dozens of martyrs and victims of the nation fell 27 years ago in each of these places. As is also stated at this memorial, their blood has been transformed into the light of freedom that illuminates our path forward, reminds us where we come from, and in this way ensures that we know where we are going.
The Republic of Kosovo—democratic and independent, a state oriented toward the European Union and NATO—has the roots of its freedom and the foundations of its institutional system in the blood of these martyrs and victims.
After 27 years, many Serbian criminals are being arrested or tried in absentia, and there has been progress in clarifying the fate of the missing, those forcibly disappeared, as well as in punishing criminals from Serbia.
More must be done by the Prosecution and the Judiciary; they must act more quickly, because while material evidence is indeed present, witnesses are aging and many are passing away. Therefore, we must act with urgency to deliver as much justice as possible for our victims.
On the other hand, Kosovo is stronger than ever. The Army and the Police, both in terms of capabilities and size, are at a high level, and no one should ever again dare to attack us to kill the elderly and children, women and men, young people, as was done in the last war in Kosovo.
We always remember the martyrs and victims of the nation and will remember them forever.
At the same time, we do not forget that Serbia’s genocide of 1998–1999 is the fourth and most recent genocide committed by Serbia. There are also three other genocides carried out against our population in earlier generations: the one about 150 years ago around the time of the Treaty of San Stefano and the Congress of Berlin; then the genocide during the two Balkan Wars; and the genocide at the end of the Second World War.
Thus, the genocide committed by Serbia against the people of Kosovo in 1998–1999 is the fourth and most recent one. None of these genocides can be forgiven. Serbia owes us immeasurably, and by strengthening our state on the one hand, and protecting our borders and territory on the other, we uphold our people and our state, while at the same time fulfilling our state responsibilities in accordance with the legacy of the martyrs.
The Republic of Kosovo is steadily advancing in dignity and sovereignty, socio-economic development, territorial and institutional integrity, and in the strengthening of its Security Force and Police. Such progress and advancement will continue in the weeks, months, and years ahead.
Glory to all martyrs and victims of the Albanian nation of all times!
