On the 15th anniversary of the declaration of Independence, the Assembly of Kosovo held a solemn session, where the heads of state there and the Albanian President, Bajram Begaj, gave special messages. The session started with the singing of the Kosovo anthem, while the KLA emblem was placed on the podium.

In his speech, Begaj recalled the prominent figures who worked for the country’s independence, as he emphasized that Kosovo is an independent state, despite the actions of the Serbian government.

“We are grateful to the friendly countries that immediately recognized the independence of the Republic of Kosovo. On this marked day, we gratefully remember Adem Jashari, the KLA, the freedom fighters who still inspire us today. Today we remember the leader who is a symbol of the strength of patience, the Albanian who with his unparalleled ingenuity advanced the just cause of Kosovo’s independence, President Rugova. In the context of the coordination of our forces, I want to welcome the joint meetings of governments and the initiatives taken to strengthen our ties at all levels. These initiatives will find support and cooperation from the President of Albania. The Republic of Kosovo is a free and independent state no matter what the Serbian government officially thinks or acts. The Serbian government must cooperate with Kosovo for stability and peace in the region”, said Begaj.

The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, emphasized that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country are irreplaceable, as she added that the dialogue process with Serbia has an epilogue, mutual recognition.

“The dialogue process with Serbia has an epilogue, mutual recognition. Our territorial integrity and sovereignty are non-negotiable. Anniversaries like this are good opportunities to reflect on our long, painful but proud journey. The more others work to undermine our state, the stronger our unity will be to strengthen and advance it, because our Republic is eternal,” Osmani said.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti expressed his gratitude to the people, as he said that today, the heartbeats of those who fought for this day are felt.

/k.s/