Op-ed: Kosovo at 26 – From Liberation to Leadership

By Delfin Pllana, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kosovo to Hungary

This year, the Republic of Kosovo commemorates 26 years of freedom—an enduring testament to the resilience of its people and the legitimacy of its sovereign path. Liberation Day is not merely a historic milestone; it is a defining moment in the global fight against tyranny and genocide. On this day, we honor the just cause of Kosovo’s Liberation War, and the decisive international action led by NATO that halted a brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing orchestrated by the Milosevic regime.

NATO’s intervention in 1999 was not only military—it was moral. It signaled to the world that the protection of civilians and human rights must override political hesitation. Kosovo’s freedom was not granted; it was earned through blood, resistance, and the solidarity of democratic nations. Today, we reaffirm our gratitude to the Western allies, and especially NATO, whose collective conscience gave Kosovo a chance to live.

Kosovo has embraced its freedom with purpose and progress. Our state-building project is one of Europe’s clearest success stories in post-conflict transformation. With consistent economic growth averaging over 4%, Kosovo now leads the Western Balkans in economic performance. The recent liberalization of visas with the European Union, effective since January 1, 2024, affirms the EU’s recognition of Kosovo’s institutional maturity and legal alignment. Furthermore, the recent recognitions by Kenya and Sudan confirm Kosovo’s growing global legitimacy and expanding diplomatic footprint.

We are no longer a question on the international agenda—we are part of the answer to Europe’s democratic and security future. Kosovo has made measurable progress in governance, rule of law, and anti-corruption. Ranking 73rd in the Transparency International Index, Kosovo continues to close the gap with more established democracies. The creation of the Institute for Research and Documentation of War Crimes sends a strong signal that Kosovo takes justice seriously, not only for its own people but for the international legal order.

Our democracy is inclusive and forward-looking. Kosovo has earned recognition from the Council of Europe’s eminent jurists for exceeding international standards in minority rights—proof that our society, born in resistance, is rooted in tolerance. We are not only building a state; we are building a future worth believing in.