Prishtina, 12 October 2026
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, attended the opening ceremony of the 12th edition of the Diplomatic Academy for young diplomats, organised by the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Kurti said that it was a particular pleasure to welcome 39 diplomats from all over the world and to be with them on this occasion, emphasizing that, for more than a decade, this program has provided an important space for young diplomats to come together, exchange ideas and build connections towards a shared future of greater understanding and cooperation.
Prime Minister Kurti emphasized that Kosovo is a great place to an exchange of ideas, as many of the major questions shaping international affairs today, such as peace and security, sovereignty and growth, human rights and the rule of law, and international law, have genuinely defined much of Kosovo’s experience as a state.
The Prime Minister said that through diplomacy, international cooperation and dialogue, Kosovo has moved from the early challenges of establishing a state to becoming an active participant in regional and international affairs.
He said that, whether they represent small islands in the Pacific, countries across Africa, or European nations, diplomats share a common responsibility to build bridges between nations and connect people across cultures through dialogue and collaboration. He added that the connections they build today may lay the foundations for tomorrow’s partnerships and pave the way for future cooperation.
Full speech by Prime Minister Kurti:
Dear Mr. Kreshnik Ahmeti, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora,
Dear Mr. Ilir Muçaj, Secretary General of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora,
Dear Ms. Mirjeta Behluli, Director General of Diplomatic Academy,
Excellencies ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in Kosova,
Dear young diplomats,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to Kosova, and to be with you today on the occasion of the opening of this year’s Diplomatic Academy. For more than a decade, this program has provided an important space for young diplomats from all over the world to come together, exchange ideas and build connections towards a shared future of greater understanding and cooperation.
The fact that this program has been running for 12 years now, is a reflection of the interest and commitment of a generation of diplomats who are eager to engage with global challenges and contribute to finding solutions to them.
Kosova is a great place to have this exchange. Many of the major questions shaping international affairs today, such as peace and security, sovereignty and growth, human rights and rule of law, international law, and the role of small states in changing world order, have genuinely defined much of Kosova’s experience as a state.
Through diplomacy, international cooperation and dialogue we have moved from the early challenges of establishing a state to becoming an active participant in regional and international affairs. Integration into the European Union is well underway, and for two years now Kosovars have been travelling visa-free to Schengen countries.
The process of securing international recognitions has been a difficult one.
However, we should not lose sight of what greater international integration would mean for Kosovo’s citizens. Membership in the Council of Europe, for example, would provide all citizens of Kosovo with access to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the broader European human rights protection system.
Whereas accession to Interpol would enable Kosovo’s law enforcement institutions to exchange information and cooperate with police forces around the world in real time, strengthening our ability to prevent and respond to transnational crime.
Despite these challenges, Kosova has established its place among the international community and has increasingly been an active contributor to international security. Kosovo has contributed to the training of Ukrainian military personnel and also participated in joint military deployments alongside international partners in different parts of the world.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Allow me to say a few words about the changing international order and what it means for our region.
The Western Balkans remains vulnerable to external pressures that threaten regional peace and stability, including malign foreign influence, disinformation, and attempts to undermine democratic institutions.
In the context of current global and regional developments, Kosovo remains committed to strengthening its democratic institutions and deepening international partnerships. In this regard, maintaining its strategic partnership with the United States and close cooperation with allies who share its values and commitment to rules-based international order, remains a longstanding priority of Kosovo’s foreign policy.
Kosovo’s partnership with NATO holds a particular importance in this regard. Engagement through the Alliance’s diverse cooperation programs and initiatives plays a key role in developing and consolidating our security capabilities. At the same time, NATO’s presence and role in Kosovo and the wider region remains essential to preserving peace and stability, preventing renewed conflict, and supporting the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Western Balkan countries.
Distinguished diplomats,
As young diplomats representing countries from different regions of the world, you bring valuable perspectives to Kosova’s Diplomatic Academy, shaped by your own national experiences. Whether you represent small islands in the Pacific, countries across Africa, or European nations, you all share a common responsibility: to build bridges between nations and connect people across cultures through dialogue and collaboration.
The connections you build today may lay the foundations for tomorrow’s partnerships and pave the way for future cooperation. Let us continue to engage with mutual respect, and a shared commitment to a world where every country’s voice is heard and every nation can contribute to a better future.
Thank you, and I wish you every success in your diplomatic careers.
