Kurti Promises 1 Billion Euros for Defense, Haxhiu Reiterates Kosovo’s NATO Goal at KSF Cadets’ Graduation

At the graduation ceremony for the 2026 class of cadets of the Kosovo Security Force, the country’s top leaders, representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the KSF, international partners, and the cadets’ family members took part.

Before the event began, Acting President Albulena Haxhiu, together with the Commander of the Kosovo Security Force, Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari, welcomed Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

With this ceremony, the cadets are marking the completion of their military education and the beginning of their professional journey in service of the country. During the event, speeches were scheduled from institutional leaders and KSF officials, while the cadets were to receive their diplomas and take the oath to serve the Republic of Kosovo.

In her remarks, Acting President Albulena Haxhiu said that Kosovo’s membership in NATO remains a strategic objective of the state, while emphasizing that the KSF is building professional capacities in line with the highest Euro-Atlantic standards.

She underlined that the war of the Kosovo Liberation Army and the sacrifice of the family of the legendary commander Adem Jashari are the foundations of Kosovo’s freedom, while calling on the young officers to carry out their duty with honesty, integrity, and responsibility.

“This day belongs first and foremost, of course, to you, cadets. It belongs to your families, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart for the effort, discipline, and upbringing they have given you. It belongs to the academy that prepared you and to the Kosovo Security Force, which today welcomes into its ranks young officers prepared for the greatest responsibilities of their lives,” she said.

According to Haxhiu, graduation completes an important stage of their formation and opens a new phase of responsibility for the young officers, who over the past four years have gone through a full academic and military process.

“Dear cadets, and from today, young officers. With your graduation, an important chapter of your formation comes to an end and an extraordinary responsibility begins as officers of the Republic. Four years ago, you began this journey with dreams, ambitions, and an unwavering will to serve the homeland. During these years, through the integrated academic and military program, you have gained university-level knowledge and at the same time undergone military education, training, and formation at the Defense Academy of the Kosovo Security Force. The formation you have received has instilled discipline and a clear understanding of the responsibility an officer bears. Modern equipment, technology, and new standards have raised expectations for people who know how to think clearly, remain calm, and act quickly and with integrity,” she said.

She added that military rank is not simply a decoration on a uniform, but a burden of responsibility that must be proven through professionalism and integrity.

“The ranks you will wear on your shoulders from today are not merely decoration on your uniform. An officer earns trust through conduct, honesty, care for the people entrusted to them, and a willingness to take responsibility even when decisions may be difficult,” she said.

Speaking at the ceremony as well, Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that in the next mandate the aim is to invest 1 billion euros in defense, build an ammunition factory, and increase the participation of girls in the army.

He said that alongside investments and modern equipment, the most important foundation of the army remains soldiers who are trained and devoted to the homeland.

“From today, you are not only young officers, but also the future leaders of our army. During these four years, you have experienced difficulties, challenged yourselves, and been compelled to achieve results. During this period, you have been imbued with high values, values that will accompany you in every duty you will have as officers of the Republic. The Government of Kosovo during these years has placed defense among its main priorities,” Kurti said.

According to him, building a modern army cannot be achieved only through the purchase of military equipment.

“This is the essential component of the Security Force. To have an army that is prepared, trained, and equipped with modern equipment is not enough if our army is not distinguished by devoted people who love the homeland more than themselves,” he said.

Kurti announced major investments in defense during the next mandate.

“In the next mandate, we will invest 1 billion euros, we will have 1,000 girls as part of our army. We will have our own factory for the production of ammunition, we will have our own ammunition, but most importantly, we will continue to have soldiers who are more prepared and more educated than ever before, because these girls are precisely part of our army,” he said.

Also addressing the ceremony was the commander of the Center for University Studies, Major Mimoza Buteci, who gave the cadets messages on how they should carry out their profession.

She said that officers must place the interests of the state and the institution above personal interests.

“You chose to place the interests of others, the needs of the institution and others before your own personal needs and interests. Therefore, do not forget that duty, honor, and the homeland must be your guides before every decision you make as leaders of the army,” Buteci said.