Blair: Kosovo deserves to be in the family of European nations

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said after the meeting with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani that his return to Kosovo is a moment of deep emotion and that Kosovo deserves to be in the family of European nations.

"I want to acknowledge the people of Kosovo for their courage and determination at that time 25 years ago. I was convinced then that it was the right thing and I continue to have that conviction, and now I am convinced that we should support the people of Kosovo so that the future of Kosovo is in line with the merits of its people," said Blair at a joint press conference with Osmani.

President Osmani thanked Blair for his role in the liberation of Kosovo, Beta agency reports.

She said that Great Britain, led by Blair, together with allied forces of NATO, saved the people of Kosovo "from the extermination intended by the genocidal regime of (Slobodan) Milosevic".

"The democratic world will for some time remember the ringing sentence, I quote "this is simply the right thing to do", the words Mr. Blair spoke 25 years ago when he called on the democratic world to join him in stopping the heinous crimes of the Milosevic regime in Kosovo. 25 years later and every day since that day, we say thank you for directing the compass of history towards the values ​​determined by the most glorious chapters of human history, despite the challenges," said Osmani.

Vjosa Osmani and Aljbin Kurti thanked Blair for his role in the liberation of Kosovo

She underlined that in the 1990s the role of the British Prime Minister during NATO's intervention in Kosovo was decisive, "just as you were a hero of the people of Kosovo and a hero of freedom and democracy, today you are also a hero of peace for the decision at that time".

Osmani said that Great Britain still remains one of Kosovo's most powerful allies, "Today, Kosovo is one of your most successful legacies, it is one of the lessons that the protection of peace, freedom, democracy are the pillars of civilization and everyone's obligation at any time".

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti thanked Blair for his "unwavering support" and "contribution to the liberation of Kosovo from Serbian invaders".

At the meeting with Blair in Pristina, Kurti said that the people of Kosovo will "remember and be forever grateful" to the former British Prime Minister for his commitment to justice and peace for the citizens of Kosovo.

"The people of Kosovo will remember the important role and unwavering support of Tony Blair during the war in Kosovo, which led to the liberation of the country from the Serbian invaders, and the support in the stages of building the state," stated Kurti and his cabinet reported.

He assessed that the British Prime Minister's "leadership and determination" during the war in Kosovo in 1999 were "crucial in gathering international support and ensuring that justice and peace prevail."

Blair also met with the Speaker of the Parliament Gljauk Konjufc and then addressed the members of the Kosovo Parliament.

It is planned that Blair will be given the key to the capital of Kosovo and that he will be declared an "Honorary Citizen" of Pristina at the session of the Municipal Assembly.