Ilir Meta adressed a speech at the Assembly of Kosovo. Meta appreciated the strengthening of relations that the two countries have achieved over the years. While evaluating Kosovo as a new country with an accountable democracy, Meta emphasized that Albanians should be pro-EU and NATO.

“The new state of Kosovo is an example for other countries in the region, including Albania. I continue to believe that our fraternal relations need more stability and inclusiveness, rather than protagonism or appropriation. Everything connects Albania with Kosovo: identity, history, language, faith, culture, traditions, customs, interests, European and Euro-Atlantic perspective. This inseparable connection between Albania and Kosovo has its roots in the blood shed and the sublime sacrifices of the fathers of the nation and our most glorious heroes from Gjergj Kastrioti to Adem Jashari, from Ismail Qemali to Ibrahim Rugova. The renewing force of our relations always lies in the people, across the border. Therefore, this inalienable will requires an even greater political devotion to cooperate more successfully at all levels”, said Meta.

Meta has also evaluated the projects that will soon connect Kosovo and Albania through the Durrës-Prishtina railway and the ports from Porto Romano to the Dry Port of Pristina.

“We are rightly proud of the connection of the road infrastructure through the National Road, for the increase in the exchange of people, goods, capital, for the energy connection, but let’s speed up the steps to expand this connection through the railway and port infrastructure as well”, said Meta.

During the President’s speech, there was no lack of honoring the former fighters of the KLA, saying that Albanians should be proud of the history of the war and that today some of the leaders of the KLA are unjustly in The Hague.

“History gives us every right to be proud of the liberation war of the KLA, but to take care that this war continues to remain unstained, as it deserves. To strongly and unanimously support the just cause and the heroic efforts made by the freedom fighters to protect and liberate themselves from the genocide. The innocence of the leaders who are unjustly found in The Hague today will triumph over any hopeless attempt that aims to turn the aggressors into victims, and the victims into aggressors,” said President Meta.

/Klara Ruci/