TIRANA, February 17 – Prime Minister Edi Rama congratulated Kosova on its 18th independence anniversary and shared photos from his visit to Prishtina the day before.

He expressed regret that he could not attend the popular solidarity event for the former KLA leaders currently on trial at The Hague.

Rama said he wished Kosova a happy independence, adding his disappointment at missing the event supporting the four KLA members facing international justice.

During his visit, Rama met with President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti. He also attended the promotion of the book “When Silence Speaks” by Ahmet Shala, an academic and former ambassador of Kosova, which addresses the trial of the Kosova Liberation Army leadership at The Hague.

Rama emphasized that history teaches there are challenges we choose and challenges that choose us, and that it is their duty to confront both and do everything possible to succeed.

He highlighted the crucial difference between the Kosova Liberation Army’s liberation struggle and the crimes of regimes responsible for ethnic cleansing in the region, stressing that international justice should not equate aggression with the fight for freedom.

/a.p./