Kurti from New York: Kosovo will work to overturn verdict against former KLA leaders

The Government of Kosovo will use every means at its disposal to challenge the Specialist Chambers’ first-instance verdict against the former KLA leaders, Prime Minister Albin Kurti has said.

On the first day of his visit to New York, Kurti took part in the “Between Here and Home” discussion with young members of the Albanian diaspora in the United States. The event was organized by three Albanian-American youth groups: ZANI, F’Oda and the Columbia University Albanian Society.

In addition to representatives of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, the delegation also includes the mayor of Presheva, Ardita Sinani, and MP Shaip Kamberi.

The discussion covered various topics, including economic growth of 5.4% in the first quarter of this year and the decline in unemployment from 26% to 10% during Kurti’s time in office.

The prime minister also spoke about the need to further improve the integrity and functioning of the judicial system. According to him, the system continues to face criticism in international reports, including the European Commission’s report.

Kurti also emphasized the importance of young people’s contribution to strengthening gender equality and promoting cooperation among Albanians in all Western Balkan countries, as well as around the world.

Referring to the Specialist Chambers’ verdict against the former KLA leaders, he described it as legally and morally unjust, as well as historically and factually inaccurate.

According to Kurti, an agreement on a state strategy is needed to ensure the most effective and appropriate response to the first-instance ruling. This approach should include both assistance for the defense teams during the appeals process and diplomatic efforts.

He assured those present that the Government of the Republic of Kosovo would provide support in every form and through all the means at its disposal, with the aim of overturning the verdict.

Kurti said Kosovo would continue cooperating with its international allies and would work tirelessly to defend the liberation war against Serbia’s propaganda.

At the same time, he said, efforts would continue to shed light on the massacres and other crimes committed by Serbia in Kosovo, which official Belgrade is still trying to conceal, more than 27 years after the end of the war.