In the framework of marking the 23rd anniversary of the Day of Peace, the heads of state also paid tribute to the Memorial Plaque of fallen NATO soldiers during their service in the KFOR operation in Kosovo.
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, expressing her gratitude to everyone who served in the liberation of Kosovo, said that the friendships built with the United States and NATO member states are sacred, and who cultivate it every day.
Osmani-Sadriu said that on June 12, 1999 NATO soldiers entered Kosovo giving the message of freedom and stopping the suffering of the Albanian people.
“We are grateful for the contribution of everyone, all those who made the political decision to intervene in Kosovo in order for Kosovo to be liberated and all those who served from 1999 onwards in order to maintain peace and security in our Republic, but also our entire region. The friendships that have been built with the USA and all NATO member states are sacred to us, we preserve them but above all we cultivate them further because our Republic on the way forward needs such friends, friends with who share the common values of freedom, democracy and peace. And even today, when these values are being threatened on our continent, we stand by them, giving our contribution no matter how small, proving that freedom, democracy and principles such as sovereignty and independence in our country and everywhere in the world must be preserved and respected. “, She said.
The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti said that with their daily work they prove that the NATO intervention to liberate Kosovo was very worthwhile.
“19 democratic states of the North Atlantic Alliance came together and intervened militarily against Milosevic’s Yugoslavia and Serbia to stop the genocide of Serb forces in Kosovo. 860 thousand Albanians were expelled from Kosovo, 80% of the population were expelled from their homes 20 thousand women and girls but also men were raped by Serbian forces, 13 thousand were killed and 120 thousand houses were destroyed, burned or demolished. NATO planes bombed for 78 days but June 12 is the day when ground troops, NATO infantry join the air strikes and thus make it possible for us every year and today to turn 23 years old to celebrate June 12 as the day of Liberation and Peace. This is a day when joy and pride overcome our pain and sorrow, we remember all the fallen we also remember those who are not among us from the ranks of NATO who either fell in service or died while contributing greatly to the liberation of the country “for the freedom of our people … Proving with our daily work that NATO intervention to stop the Serbian genocide and save the Albanian people has been very valuable,” said Kurti.
On the occasion of the 23rd anniversary, the Day of Freedom or Liberation, the state leaders initially paid tribute today to the grave of the former President of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova and the former activist of the national cause, Adem Demaçi, as well as in Prekaz.
NATO peacekeepers enter Kosovo following the 78-day North Atlantic Alliance air campaign against Serb targets in Kosovo and Serbia.
