The 25th anniversary of the start of the NATO bombings against the Serbian militia to stop the genocide against the people of Kosova was commemorated with tributes at the Memorial of fallen NATO soldiers for the freedom of Kosova.

The President of Kosova, Vjosa Osmani, together with accredited ambassadors of the allied countries paid their respects to the fallen soldiers.

In commemoration of this day, Osmani said that 25 years ago the great hope for Kosova began, where the genocide of Milosevic finally came to an end and the country gained its freedom.

“March 24 was really a day of great hope because for the first time the alliances of the democratic world came together to prevent the extermination of the people of Kosova by the genocide of Milosevic and together with many, many partner countries we managed to finally make Kosova free and we will mark that day on June 12 this year the Liberation Day, since it is also a jubilee year, the 25th anniversary,” said Osmani.

Even the President of the Republic of Albania, Bajram Begaj, remembered the 25th anniversary of the launch of the NATO operation to liberate Kosova from the Serbian genocide. The Head of State expressed his thanks to the Alliance and the United States for this historic act for the Albanians and the Balkans region, while honoring the heroes of the KLA and the victims of the war in Kosova.

President Begaj praised the decision-making that ended the campaign of ethnic cleansing and Serbian genocide in Kosova, the further contribution from KFOR, and the vision of the Alliance for security, peace and stability in the Balkans.

“Thank you, NATO! Thank you, USA! 25 years ago, on March 24, 1999, NATO intervened to end the Serbian genocide in Kosova. Today we commemorate an event of historical importance for Kosova and all Albanians. The intervention of NATO, led by the US, made justice to the high cause of the people of Kosova and their efforts for freedom and independence.

The political wisdom, strategic forethought and the determination of the Alliance not to remain indifferent to ethnic cleansing and violence not only saved Kosova, but created a new security framework for the entire region. Thanks to this intervention, within a short time the independence and creation of the Republic of Kosova was made possible, a success story of democratic state building.

The presence of NATO in Kosova through KFOR troops continues to play an important role in the security of peace and stability in our region. NATO’s historic act reminds us that we must not stop our efforts to create a region that radiates harmony, cooperation and prosperity.

As we thank the invaluable help of the world’s most powerful Alliance and our strategic partner, the US, today we commemorate the sacrifices of the Albanian nation, the heroic struggle of the KLA and the victims of the war in Kosova. They built the pedestal where the just cause of the intervention in Kosova was raised. Everlasting honor to the heroes of the nation,” writes Begaj on Facebook.

After the Reçak massacre, in March 1999, NATO launched air attacks on military and police targets in the former Yugoslavia.

After 78 days of attacks, the bombings stopped on June 10, 1999, with the Kumanova Technical Agreement, which provided for the withdrawal of all Serbian military and police forces from Kosova.

/a.p./