President TopiI hail the statement of Kosova institutions based upon which its independence was proclaimed today! Today is an historical day not only for Kosova, but for the whole region and its neighbors, because it is finally correcting the grave historical mistakes made in this part of Europe.

Today is a happy day – a great day filled with emotions for the entire Kosova, for its people, for Albania and Albanians wherever they are: today is the great feast of all the citizens of Kosova. Finally they can all together have their youngest state in the World and they together will enjoy the fruits of this new European state.

This moment is very important for Kosova and its neighbors, our region and Europe, because it finally releases the last link of the disintegration of former Yugoslavia, the last political, military and diplomatic deadlock and also creates a space of long-term democracy, security, peace and stability.

February 17, 2008, that historical minute which is the fruit of crowning of the sublime efforts and sacrifices, presents the beginning of a new époque of reciprocal trust and hope in the future, all over Europe, but permanently putting behind the time of bloody inter-ethnic wars, the time of ethnical genocides and cleansings, the time of privileged nations and submitted ones. This is the greatest triumph of democracy in Eastern Europe since the fall of Berlin Wall.

During these moments we respectfully remember and honor the deed and acts of all those who fought, sacrificed and gave their life and blood, the Kosovar men, mothers and sisters, to realize this historical act.

Today, Kosova and all its institutions thank all the important international allies, who expressed their serious determination and commitment throughout the entire process of finalizing the status of Kosova independence.

Today I would like to hail all the citizens of Kosova and its politicians, the President of Kosova, Mr. Sejdiu, the Prime Minister, Mr. Thaçi, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Krasniqi, who are demonstrating responsibility, dignity, maturity, culture, European concepts in the process of building the institutions of Kosova by proving that the future of this new state is in the European Union and in NATO.

This day, all of us must hail the irreplaceable role of the Albanian factor, which is the greatest contributor to the stability, peace and security in the region, which supported all the important Euro-Atlantic and democratic processes in the region and Europe by becoming a trusted partner of NATO, European Union and United States.

Today is the day of the future for Kosova, the day of the future for Albania, for the entire region and for the United Europe.

Thank you! !