I have invited you today so that we can celebrate together the 12th of June, the Kosovo Freedom Day. This watershed in our history represents the end of an oppression that was being exerted upon the people of Kosovo by a brutal regime and the dawn of hope for a brighter future for all the people of our precious country.
Honorable Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi,
Honorable International Civilian Representative, Pieter Feith,
Honorable Head of EULEX-it, Yves de Kermabon,
Honorable ambassadors and representatives of other international missions in Kosovo,
Honorable ministers, members of the Assembly and local government officials,
Dear citizens of Republic of Kosovo,
I.
I have invited you today so that we can celebrate together the 12th of June, the Kosovo Freedom Day. This watershed in our history represents the end of an oppression that was being exerted upon the people of Kosovo by a brutal regime and the dawn of hope for a brighter future for all the people of our precious country.
On this anniversary as well, we bow down before the memory of all those that have sacrificed themselves for the freedom and independence of our country. In addition, we express again our everlasting appreciation for all the countries that have helped us in the darkest hours of our history: the United States of America, the EU member countries and all other countries that have not only saved the people of Kosovo from a permanent danger of physical annihilation that we were facing, but have also opened a new chapter in the history of the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance and the world as a whole.
Deliverance of the people of Kosovo from the genocide of Milosevic’s forces constitutes, unquestionably, the greatest action that world’s democracies have ever undertaken in the name of humanity and freedom.
Intervention in Kosovo marked the end of a criminal regime and the birth of a new era for all this part of the South-East Europe, traditionally troubled by conflicts and hegemonic appetites.
II.
The Republic of Kosovo has been recognized by 69 countries around the world. We have established a new and steady diplomatic network, which is representing us responsibly in the world. In the meantime, our friends and we have never given up efforts to ensure new recognitions. Accordingly, we expect to see the results of this engagement soon, perhaps after the International Court of Justice announces its opinion. As we have said for the umpteenth time, arguments in support of Kosovo’s independence are strong and we expect that the ICJ opinion will ultimately remove all dilemmas faced by countries that are hesitating to recognize the youngest state in the world – the Republic of Kosovo.
In general terms, in the face of difficulties that a newborn country comes across usually, Kosovo was and remains a success story. It will remain such in the future, and we are resolved to combat all the negative phenomena that spoil the image of our country unhesitatingly. In this context, we fully support the fight against corruption, and we encourage justice institutions to combat any action that runs counter to law uncompromisingly.
Institutions of Republic of Kosovo are also committed to encourage free competition and create an attractive environment for foreign investors, to whom we provide full capital guarantees.
III.
A Kosovo free and independent, a beloved home to all its people and a member of the European Union and NATO was, remains and will be the motto of our state policy and actions.
Resting confident that we still enjoy the support of your countries, we strongly believe that Kosovo will meet all the necessary requirements to become a member of these and other major international institutions, including the very United Nations.
This is the vision of the people and institutions of Republic of Kosovo and we will not stop until this vision is fully accomplished.
As a matter of coincidence, this meeting is taking place on the same day when the entire world has turned its gaze towards South Africa, where the greatest sports event in the word, the Football World Cup, will start. On this occasion, I wish that your national teams achieve as many results as possible and show a good performance in the competition.
Thank you for joining us today!
Good health and good luck!