Best wishes to Kosovo and all its citizens on the 10th anniversary of Independence! February 17, 2008 gave life to the early wish of the people of Kosovo, the dream of worriers and martyrs, and materialized the support of Kosovo’s many friends and partners for freedom, independence, welfare and prosperity.
In just a decade, Kosovo was radically transformed. The underprivileged entity in the former Yugoslavia, with systematically violated rights, has now become a democratic, multiethnic and multicultural space that aspires integration into the Euro-Atlantic zone.
During the last three years only, Kosovo has joined a number of regional and international organizations, including its full participation in “MARRI”, the Western Balkans Fund, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, as observers in The Central European Initiative and as a contributor to the Regional Youth Cooperation Office. We will continue our efforts to include Kosovo in all regional initiatives and beyond, as its inclusion means a further guarantee of regional security and stability.
At present, Kosovo, as well as the whole region, is involved in a new dynamic of in-depth reforms in the rule of law, fight against organized crime and corruption, progress in health and education sector reforms, as well as economic development. We congratulate Kosovo on its efforts towards the approximation and reconciliation of communities and societies in our region, in order to build a peaceful and secure future for our citizens.
While today we all humbly pay tribute to the long-standing efforts of the people of Kosovo for freedom and independence, we also appreciate the valuable and continuous support of friends and allies, the United States of America, NATO and all the countries that contributed in closing one of the most painful chapters of contemporary European history.
The Kosovo celebration is the entire Albanian nation’s celebration. In these 10 years of independence, Albania and Kosovo have built a close and fraternal strategic partnership. Our concrete projects for the removal of economic and trade barriers, facilitation of movement of capital, goods and people, and the joint promotion of Albanian language and culture in the world are guidelines for the forthcoming decades, part of the joint European project.
“Happy Independence Kosovo”!