The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of NATO’s intervention in Kosovo, stating that this was a decisive action that stopped the ethnic cleansing and genocide against the Albanian population of Kosovo.
In the statement, it is emphasized that Kosovo will never forget the Western intervention that saved its people, as reported by Reporteri.net.
“On this occasion, we reaffirm our deep and everlasting gratitude to the United States, NATO allies, and all those who stood on the right side of history, ensuring that the people of Kosovo survived and built a free and democratic society,” the statement reads.
It is also highlighted that the massacres in Reçak, Meje, Izbicë, Podujevë, Suharekë remain permanent wounds in the collective memory of the people of Kosovo.
It mentions that more than two decades later, Serbia still has not expressed any remorse, nor has it admitted to the crimes organized by its state, nor has it apologized for the atrocities committed by its forces.
“On the contrary, the leadership of Serbia continues to protect war criminals, refusing to prosecute those responsible for some of the gravest crimes in post-World War II Europe, despite numerous pieces of evidence provided by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The refusal to open the state archives of Serbia, including critical documents on the wartime activities of the 38th Motorized Brigade of the Yugoslav Army, further illustrates Belgrade’s continued denial and the concealment of the truth about war crimes,” the statement reads.
The full statement:
Today, the Republic of Kosovo marks the 26th anniversary of NATO’s intervention against the regime of Slobodan Milošević, a decisive action that halted ethnic cleansing and genocide against the Albanian population of Kosovo. On this occasion, we reaffirm our deep and everlasting gratitude to the United States, NATO allies, and all those who stood on the right side of history, ensuring that the people of Kosovo survived and built a free and democratic society.
Despite the intervention that ultimately stopped Slobodan Milošević’s criminal war machine, Serbian forces carried out numerous massacres and crimes against Kosovo’s Albanian civilians—men, women, and children. Entire families were wiped out, entire villages were burned, and more than 10,000 innocent Albanians from Kosovo were killed. Serbian forces expelled over one million people, forcing them into refugee camps and exile, causing incalculable suffering.
The massacres in Reçak, Meje, Izbicë, Podujevë, Suharekë, and many other places remain permanent wounds in the collective memory of the people of Kosovo.
More than two decades later, Serbia still has not expressed remorse, nor has it admitted to the crimes organized by its state, nor has it apologized for the atrocities committed by its forces. On the contrary, the leadership of Serbia continues to protect war criminals, refusing to prosecute those responsible for some of the gravest crimes in post-World War II Europe, despite numerous pieces of evidence provided by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The refusal to open the state archives of Serbia, including critical documents on the wartime activities of the 38th Motorized Brigade of the Yugoslav Army, further illustrates Belgrade’s continued denial and the concealment of the truth about war crimes.
Even today, the Serbian government and its leaders commemorate the so-called “NATO crimes against Serbia,” while remaining silent about the more than 10,000 Albanians from Kosovo killed and over one million displaced during the 1998-1999 war.
This distortion of history and lack of accountability highlights the deep issue of Serbia’s unreformed politics, which continues to threaten peace and stability in the region.
At the same time, Kosovo has built a free and democratic society with broad constitutional and legal protection for all communities, including, and especially, the Serbian minority. The people of Kosovo are proof that justice and human dignity triumph over ethnic oppression and persecution. Meanwhile, in Serbia, Albanians in the Preševo Valley are systematically erased from official existence, facing discrimination and institutional neglect.
As we commemorate this day, we reaffirm that Kosovo will never forget the Western intervention that saved its people. We will remain forever vigilant against Serbia’s ongoing efforts to destabilize the region and exert control over its neighbors. The values of justice, truth, and democracy will continue to guide our nation, and we will forever stand by our allies who defended these principles in our darkest hour.
