Kosovo’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Glauk Konjufca, attended the second annual Gala Evening of the Albanian American Relations Council (AARC), held in New York.
The event brought together representatives of the Albanian-American community, friends of the Albanian community, and numerous public figures.
In his remarks, Konjufca praised the contribution of the Albanian-American community in the United States, highlighting the role of activists, associations and Albanian organizations in raising awareness among the American public and institutions about the Kosovo issue.
According to Konjufca, the contribution of the Albanian diaspora in the United States lies at the foundation of Kosovo’s freedom and independence.
Speaking about the first-instance verdict issued by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers against the former KLA leaders, Konjufca described it as an injustice which, in his view, goes beyond the personal fate of those convicted.
“The injustice goes beyond the personal fate of those convicted and affects our cause for liberation and freedom,” Konjufca said.
He stressed that this injustice, in his view, must be corrected, while calling for the legitimacy of the KLA’s liberation war and the right of the people of Kosovo to be liberated from oppression to be defended.
Konjufca also spoke about Kosovo’s institutional and democratic situation, calling for political responsibility and reflection.
He said that the state and national interest should take precedence over narrow party interests, while during challenging periods, in his view, national cohesion and the stable functioning of institutions are essential.
At the end of his speech, Konjufca thanked AARC for its efforts to strengthen and advance Albanian-American relations, as well as for its role in preserving and strengthening the connection between the Albanian community in the United States and Kosovo and Albania.
