Today, at the meeting of the Government of Kosovo, the National Comprehensive Defense Program was approved.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated that the program was drafted by the Ministry of Defense. He added that the program is based on systems used by various NATO member countries. “Based on our governing program, changes in the strategic security environment, and with the aim of strengthening the defense system of the Republic of Kosovo, the Ministry of Defense has drafted the National Comprehensive Defense Program for the Republic of Kosovo. Protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity from external and internal threats, both conventional and unconventional, as well as preserving the lives and property of citizens in cases of natural disasters are vital interests of the Republic of Kosovo.
The Comprehensive Defense Program is designed based on similar systems applied in various NATO member countries and allows central and local institutions, especially the citizens of the Republic, as well as various non-governmental organizations, to have their roles in the defense and security system of our country. This program aims to build national resilience so that our society is prepared to withstand, respond to, and recover from natural disasters or armed attacks. The system fundamentally relies on the voluntary support that citizens provide to our army, the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), but is also combined with other state structures,” said Kurti.
Minister of Defense Ejup Maqedonci provided further details about the program.
“The security and defense institutions will operate under the strategic defense concept, which aims for close cooperation between military authorities, security and intelligence services, and civilian authorities during peacetime, emergencies, crises, or wartime, ensuring the alignment of all available capacities to protect the country’s interests,” he said.
Maqedonci mentioned that the program is based on seven main pillars:
- State functioning during crises;
- State organization for national defense;
- Maintenance of vital functions and essential state services;
- Social resilience;
- Resilience of state supplies;
- Protection of information space;
- Youth education and training.
Maqedonci added that this system does not interfere with the development of the Kosovo Security Force based on the comprehensive transition plan but enables citizens to voluntarily play their role in the defense and security system.
