Today, at a ceremonial government session dedicated to the 18th anniversary of Kosovo's declaration of independence, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that the state, independence and Constitution are new, but that the language, culture and people of Kosovo are ancient.
Kurti also mentioned former KLA leaders who are being tried before the Specialized Chambers in The Hague and said that "the declaration of independence cannot be remembered without mentioning those who contributed to the building of the state."
"Our state was built on and represents the values of freedom and democracy, equality and justice, prosperity and inclusion. Every citizen, regardless of language, ethnicity, religion or origin, is equal before the law. We cannot help but remember that the representatives who participated in the declaration of independence of the Republic are today unjustly held in The Hague, the contribution of each of them to freedom and independence is precious and history will be the one to make the right judgment," Kurti said.
At the beginning of the new government mandate, Kurti said that they have numerous tasks ahead of them, and that "the goal they have before them is lofty."
He assessed that Kosovo, as a state and society, has achieved a lot over the past 18 years, and mentioned the strengthening of the rule of law, economy, international victories in sports, arts and culture, visa-free travel, and the submission of applications for accession to the European Union and the Council of Europe.
The events marking the 18th anniversary of the declaration of independence began today with the raising of the Kosovo flag on the flagpole in front of the Government building and continued with the laying of flowers at the memorial to missing persons, the memorial plaque to murdered children, and the laying of flowers at the grave of former President Ibrahim Rugova, at the grave of activist Adem Demaçi, and at the "Adem Jashari" Memorial Complex in Prekaz.
The formal session of the Kosovo Parliament is scheduled for 10:30.
Bonus video:
