Prishtinë, 14 korrik 2025
Kryeministri në detyrë i Republikës së Kosovës, Albin Kurti, mori pjesë në pritjen e organizuar me rastin e Ditës së Bastilles, Ditës Kombëtare të Republikës së Francës.
Në fjalën e tij, kryeministri shprehu se 14 korriku nuk është vetëm një përkujtim i së kaluarës, por një përvjetor i vazhdueshëm i lirisë, luftës së njerëzimit për drejtësi dhe i lindjes së qytetarisë moderne.
“Sot, ndërsa festojmë 236-vjetorin e atij momenti themelues të modernitetit, nuk shikojmë vetëm nga e kaluara, por edhe nga e ardhmja. Dhe e ardhmja kërkon që të mos i ruajmë idealet tona vetëm me fjalë; kërkon që t’i përkthejmë ato në politika publike, institucione të qëndrueshme dhe drejtësi të prekshme. Kosova, si një Republikë e re, lindi në frymën e këtyre idealeve. Ne kemi zgjedhur rrugën e demokracisë, sundimit të ligjit dhe të drejtave të njeriut, jo vetëm sepse është rruga më e drejtë, por sepse është rruga që e bën vendin të denjë për qytetarët e tij dhe një partner të besueshëm për miqtë e tij”, tha kryeministri Kurti.
Në vijim, shprehu mirënjohjen ndaj Francës për mbështetjen e saj të vazhdueshme në shtetndërtimin dhe integrimin euro-atlantik të Kosovës, gjersa nënvizoi dhe përkushtimin tonë në rrugëtimin drejt integrimit evropian.
Ai falënderoi dhe ambasadorin Guerot për punën në drejtim të thellimit të marrëdhënieve tona dypalëshe, nga mbështetja institucionale deri te promovimi i bashkëpunimit kulturor dhe universitar.
Fjala e plotë e kryeministrit Kurti në gjuhën angleze:
Your Excellency, Mr. Olivier Guerot, French Ambassador to the Republic of Kosova,
Elected members of Parliament and colleagues from the caretaker Government,
Heads of state institutions and mayors of municipalities,
Religious leaders and civil society representatives,
Dear friends of France and Kosova,
Honored guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a special honor and pleasure to be here with you tonight, to join together in celebrating this year’s French National Day, the 14th of July.
This date is not only a commemoration of the past; it is a continual anniversary of freedom, of humanity’s struggle for justice, and of birth of modern citizenship.
On July 14, 1789, citizens of Paris gathered in spite of their fear and their differences, and stormed the Bastille, a symbol of absolute rule, political imprisonment and injustice. They sought not only arms, but also dignity. From that day forward, history would be written not just by kings, but by peoples.
Victor Hugo said: “Ideas are stronger than armies.” And that is what happened in France: The ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity overthrew a system that seemed permanent. Those ideas resonated with the American Revolution, the national renaissances of the Balkans, and our own war for liberation and justice. And today, they are still the foundation on which we build the most just and humane societies. Conservatives, socialists, or liberals, they all know now the limit beyond which society is called into question, the famous Jean Jacque Rousseau’s social contract, the permanent eternal peace of Immanuel Kant, and the free citizens will by John Locke.
In the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, approved only a few weeks later on August 26th, 1789, it is written: “Men are born and remain free and equal in rights.” This simple but powerful sentence led the world to a new epoch of human emancipation. Kosova as well sees itself in this sentence.
Today, as we celebrate the 236th anniversary of that founding moment of modernity, we look not only to the past, but to the future. And the future requires that we do not maintain our ideals only in words; it demands that we translate them into public policies, stable institutions, and tangible justice.
Kosova, as a new Republic, was born in the spirit of these ideals. We have chosen the path of democracy, rule of law, and human rights, not only because it is the most just path, but because it is the path that makes the country worthy of its citizens and a credible partner to its friends.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Last summer France was at the center of the world’s attention as the host of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. This was more than simply a sporting event: It was a manifestation of the republican soul, international peace, and fair play. Kosova is proud to have taken part for the third time in the Summer Olympics, winning a number of medals.
In 2030, Kosova will be hosting the Mediterranean Games, another opportunity to show that the Balkans can be not only a region of past conflict, but also of future collaboration. As we have said and now repeat: We want peace with the past and alliances for the future.
Dear friends,
Kosova is historically indebted to France. It was one of the first countries to recognize us as an independent state in 2008. It stood by us during the war, and later as the first democratic institutions were built. It has stood with us in the Security Council, UNESCO, the International Organization of La Francophonie, and on our path to the Council of Europe.
On this path, which is a journey toward Europe, toward the European Union, Kosova has been and remains committed. We know that EU membership is not a political reward, but a great responsibility. And we are ready to take this responsibility, because Europe is not only an economic area; it is an ethical project, a community of values that sees the citizen not only as a number that counts but as a subject of justice.
We are well aware of the obstacles and the skepticism, and the complicated politics that occasionally dim the path forward. But we do not give up. As Jean Jaurès and Gustav Mahler said, “Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the tending of the flame.” We are keeping that flame alive — the flame of our aspiration to become part of a Europe that respects dignity, strengthens the rule of law, shares prosperity and looks toward the future.
Ambassador Guerot,
I have followed closely and with appreciation your work to upgrade our bilateral relations. From institutional support to the promotion of cultural and university cooperation, and the constructive dialogue that you maintain with all levels of our society, we feel your presence not only as a representative of France, but as a friend of Kosova.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We celebrate today not only a historical date, but an everlasting ideal. July 14th is an invitation to be a worthy citizen, not only in words but in actions; not only in voting ourselves but in defending the rights of one another; not only with flags, but with equality and justice for all.
In this sense, France’s celebration is our celebration, because, as history has taught us, no country is permanently free, no republic is forever perfect. Every generation has a duty to defend and improve liberty, and to pass it on to the next.
Votre Excellence, Monsieur l’Ambassadeur Olivier Guerot, merci beacoup. Happy 14th of July; Long live France; and long live the friendship between the Republic of Kosova and the French Republic! Gëzuar, cheers, santé!
