Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, in X:
Twenty-seven years ago, the world chose not to look away.
NATO launched Operation Allied Force to halt the brutal campaign of violence and ethnic cleansing carried out by Slobodan Milošević against #Albanians in #Kosovo.
It was a defining moment, when human dignity prevailed over fear, when the responsibility to protect innocent lives outweighed hesitation, and when collective action affirmed that the the free world would not stand by in the face of mass atrocities. At that crucial moment in our history, #Albania opened its heart and its doors without a shred of hesitation.
Despite its own economic challenges, Albania welcomed refugees and displaced persons into homes, schools, and communities. Everyone, institutions and citizerns everywhere, mobilized alongside international partners to provide shelter, food, and protection, in an extraordinary act of solidarity, one that reflected not only a humanitarian response, but a deep sense of shared history and common identity. Today, Kosovo is free and independent. It stands as a living testament to resilience, sacrifice, and the unbreakable will of its people.
From the scars of war to the strengthening of democratic institutions, Kosovo has made steady progress, consolidating its place as a responsible actor in the region and a contributor to peace and stability in #SoutheastEurope.
Today, Albania stands as a proud member of #NATO, the very Alliance that halted death and destruction and restored hope, dignity, and freedom to Kosovo.
We honor the victims.
We remember the courage of those who stood against oppression.
We recognize the vital role of allies and partners who made a difference when it mattered most. Kosovo’s journey continues, with confidence and determination, toward integration into the #Euro-Atlantic family, anchored in shared values of democracy, rule of law, and human rights.
