Prishtina, 11 July 2025
The Acting First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo for European Integration, Development, and Dialogue, Besnik Bislimi, attended the graduation ceremony of the 62nd generation of Kosovo Police cadets.
In his address, he emphasized that for the past 26 years since its establishment, the Kosovo Police has served with dedication and integrity.
“This institution is strengthening, and its ranks are growing continuously. Sixty-two graduating generations, including today’s, have been guided by professionalism in defense of the Republic, its laws and Constitution, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Being a member of the Kosovo Police is both an honor and a high responsibility. This uniform and institution represent more than law enforcement; they reflect the values of discipline, integrity, and patriotism,” said Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi.
He added that the cadets are united by a common mission and shared goals, and in achieving them, they will always have the support of the government.
“During our mandate, we have increased the budget for the Kosovo Police by over 50% compared to 2021: from around 90 million to over 150 million euros. We have also invested in logistical police equipment and vehicles, and we have upgraded and established police stations, including in the north of the country. The institutional support that was previously lacking has been transformed into well-deserved attention and unwavering support for the Police,” he stated.
Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi expressed that the high level of public trust in the Kosovo Police brings even greater responsibility and obligation for each officer, while also making them a target for those who, with intent, have joined the hybrid war against our state and its main institutions.
“Therefore, it is required of you to remain vigilant, disciplined, and dedicated in carrying out your duties. The efforts and campaigns to undermine the integrity, professionalism, and image of the Kosovo Police based on isolated incidents reveal intentions that are detrimental to the interests of the Republic of Kosovo and pose a threat to its respected institutions like the Police,” he added.
He concluded his speech by stating, “Honesty, responsibility, and both professional and personal integrity should guide your journey for as long as you wear this uniform, drawing inspiration from the lives and contributions of heroes of the Kosovo Police like Enver Zymberi,
Afrim Bunjaku, and all those who fell in the line of duty.”
For his part, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, said that this generation, which today takes the oath as members of the Kosovo Police, supports our shared vision for a professional police force that guarantees law and order, protects and respects our citizens, and upholds the public trust built over the years with integrity and discipline.
Full Speech of Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi:
Honorable Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla,
Honorable General Director of the Kosovo Police, Mr. Hoxha,
Honorable members of the government cabinet,
Honorable representatives of diplomatic missions in Kosovo and partner organizations,
Honorable representatives of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo,
Dear members of the Kosovo Police,
Dear cadets,
Dear family members,
Honored guests,
As the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Albin Kurti, is today in Srebrenica commemorating the Serbian genocide, allow me to address you on his behalf and on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo.
For 26 years since its establishment, the Kosovo Police has served with dedication and integrity. This institution continues to grow stronger, and its ranks expand. Sixty-two graduating generations, including today’s, have been guided by professionalism in defending the
Republic, its laws and Constitution, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Being part of the Kosovo Police is an honor and a high responsibility. This uniform and institution go beyond mere law enforcement; they represent values of discipline, integrity, and patriotism.
280 cadets graduate, including 261 Albanians, 11 Serbs, 4 Bosniaks, 2 Egyptians, and 2 Turks, united by a shared mission and common goals. You are here not just to graduate but to pledge that you will honor this uniform, elevate its history and that of our country, and commit to working every day with professionalism and integrity in service of our country.
In this mission, you will always have the support of our government. Since the beginning of our mandate, and including those graduating today, 7 generations totaling 2,755 new police officers have graduated, surpassing our pledge to increase the police force by 2,000 officers.
During our mandate, we have increased the budget for the Kosovo Police by over 50% compared to 2021: from around 90 million to over 150 million euros.
We have also invested in logistical police equipment and vehicles. We have improved and established police stations, including in the north of the country. We have transformed previously lacking institutional support into deserved attention and indispensable, unwavering backing for the Police.
Public opinion surveys show that the Kosovo Police enjoys high levels of public trust regarding the responsibility and integrity of its officers. UNDP statistics indicate the Police is perceived as the least corrupt institution, significantly more so than other law and order mechanisms. According to last year’s polling by the International Republican Institute (IRI), over 60% of citizens have high trust, and 89% express confidence in the Kosovo Police—again, much higher than other law and order mechanisms.
This situation naturally brings much greater responsibility and obligation for each of you, but it also makes you a target of all those who have willingly joined the hybrid war against our state and its primary institutions. Therefore, you are required to remain constantly vigilant, disciplined, and dedicated in carrying out the duties you will be entrusted with. Efforts and campaigns to undermine the integrity, professionalism, and image of the Kosovo Police based on isolated incidents point to intentions that go against the interests of the Republic of Kosovo and pose a threat to its respected institutions like the Police.
Dear cadets,
From today, from the moment of your oath, you will serve the state and all citizens without distinction, and you will protect the laws and Constitution of Kosovo. Honesty, responsibility, and both professional and personal integrity should guide your journey for as long as you wear this uniform, drawing inspiration from the lives and contributions of Kosovo Police heroes like Enver Zymberi, Afrim Bunjaku, and all those who fell in the line of duty.
Honor yourselves, your families, and your loved ones who are here supporting you. Today, be guided by the examples of the past, so that tomorrow you become examples for the generations to come. Because the figure of a police officer is noble and embodies respect and awareness. It is up to you to continue this mission and serve with fairness and dignity.
I wish you great success and a rewarding journey ahead!
