Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani stated at the ceremonial session of the Kosovo Assembly that 18 years ago, Kosovo rose from suffering to dignity and from resistance to statehood, that it was declared a free, independent and sovereign state, ending a long and arduous journey, but opening a new chapter in national history.
Speaking about the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) war, Osmani stressed that it was just and that any attempt to tarnish it damages the foundations of long-term peace.
She stated that the war of liberation was a bloody oath of a people who wanted to live freely in their country.
"At the foundation of our state lies the vision of the historic President Ibrahim Rugova, the architect of our independence. He led the people with his vision. History was shaped during the period of the war for freedom. It bears the name of Commander Adem Jashari. The KLA is the greatest ideal that Albanians have built for centuries. This war was just and always pure. Any attempt to tarnish it is unjust, historically untrue and unacceptable. The KLA leaders who are in The Hague today, together with thousands of fighters and our people, stood up for freedom and dignity," she said.
She added that Kosovo became a state in order to protect the truth and never allow history to be rewritten.
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The ceremonial session was also addressed by the President of Albania Bajram Begaj, the Speaker of the Kosovo Parliament Albuljena Haxhiu, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and representatives of political parties represented in the Kosovo Assembly.
The Serbian List deputies were not present at the session.
Manifestations marking the 18th anniversary of Kosovo's 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 Demaći, and at the "Adem Jašari" Memorial Complex in Prekaz.
After the ceremonial session, a parade of members of the Security Forces and the Kosovo Police will be held.
The ceremonies conclude with a reception for the diplomatic choir, organized by Kosovo's highest officials, as well as a concert by the Kosovo Philharmonic Orchestra.
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