In a solemn ceremony in Pristina, the President of the Republic of Albania, Bajram Begaj, honored personalities from Albania and Kosovo who have contributed to the liberation and independence of Kosovo.

President Begaj emphasized the importance of the shared history and close cooperation between the two countries. He considered this moment as an important event for strengthening national ties and efforts for a sustainable and democratic future.

Speech by the President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, at the ceremony of decorating personalities from Albania and Kosovo in Pristina who have contributed to the freedom and independence of Kosovo:

History must be remembered and appreciated. We Albanians have a virtue in gratitude and we should not only appreciate internationals, but also ourselves. I thank President Osmani very much for all this appreciation today to honor those who made Kosovo a reality, a free, independent, sovereign and democratic state.

This day fills us with pride, respect and reflection. Today we honor the contribution of those who, in the most difficult hours, kept the flame of hope for the liberation of Kosovo burning.

Alongside the legendary figure of Commander Adem Jashari, Zahir Pajaziti and many others, we are equally proud of Indrit Cara or "Ushtar Kavaja", Tahir Sinan, Skerdilajd Llagami and many other martyrs from all regions of Albania who gave their lives for the liberation of Kosovo.

Their work is engraved in our national memory.

Today we do not only honor individuals, but we also honor the Albanian spirit itself, that spirit that never gives up and that has preserved the legacy of freedom from generation to generation.

Albania and Kosovo are more than two states, we are one nation, one blood, one flag, one history, which are eternally connected.

Our history is a story of pride.

Neither invasions, nor injustices, nor dictatorships, nor genocide ever break our national conscience.

In the fall of 1991, in Albania, the communist dictatorship was crumbling and the country was moving, not without challenges, towards Euro-Atlantic values ​​and the West.

These were times of turmoil, uncertainty, and great change.

At that very time, some brave men did what history asked of them: they began training the first groups of Kosovo's freedom fighters.

Respect and gratitude to the group of Albanian military personnel who trained the first freedom fighters led by Commander Adem Jashari!

They didn't ask about the risks, they acted, because helping their brother is a natural choice.

They responded as Albania has always responded to Kosovo and Kosovo to Albania. At that time, they became a bridge between a dream and a reality today.

Today, before them, we bow with respect and gratitude.

Their works are not just stories.

They stand on the foundations of a freedom won with blood and much dedication.

Albania has contributed and will always contribute to Kosovo, because our national conscience tells us so.

Helping Kosovo is helping ourselves, it is helping Albanians, for the common future of our children.

Today, we must stand side by side, in every area of ​​life: in the economy, in security, in science, culture, technology, and art.

Our relationships are bound by blood, bound by flag, bound by history, bound by nation.

An independent Kosovo is a reality that cannot be reversed, it is a reality that was won with blood and sacrifice.

Kosovo's freedom is not only freedom for its citizens. It is a guarantee for peace and stability in the region.

History has shown that Albanians have never been aggressors, but our love for peace does not make Albanians weak and powerless.

Albanians have always defended rights, freedom and Euro-Atlantic values.

Our future is shared: there is no strong Albania without a strong Kosovo, there is no safe Kosovo without a stable and developed Albania.

We walk together towards Europe, because we are European, not only geographically, but in spirit, in culture, and in values.

The younger generations of Albanians today no longer have boundaries in their minds.

They dream bigger than us, they dream wider, they aim higher, and it is our duty today to give them opportunities, to pave the way for them, to create opportunities for them, to ensure that they grow up in their own country, where the law rules, where democracy rules, and the word democracy is not just a word, but a way of life.

Today, we must strengthen our economies, we must invest in science and education, we must embrace the new, but without forgetting our culture and national identity.

Albania and Kosovo cannot be left behind.

On this journey, we will walk together for a stronger nation, for a nation that, after centuries of effort and sacrifice, now belongs to European history. Let us be true actors in this European history, as a strong voice, as a force for stability and progress.

As we decorate those who made extraordinary contributions to the freedom of Kosovo, we are not only honoring the past, but we are giving a clear message to the future: we are together, we will stay together, we will move forward together.

History has presented us with great challenges, but we have always known how to triumph.

Our objective remains unchanged: a democratic and modern Albania and Kosovo, a strong nation that recognizes development, integration and prosperity.

Glory to those who fought for freedom!

Long live Kosovo! Long live Albania! Long live the Albanian nation!