Mej in my resignation letter: Strengthened reports with US

Among other things, he has thanked Prime Minister Kurti, the other ministers and his cabinet.

Mejaj also spoke of his successor, Ejup Macedonia, who said he was a professional, patriotic, and witnessed person.

Mehe then told about the defence ministry's achievements while he was led by it.

Full letter:

Honored citizens of Kosovo, dear fellow countrymen

Each citizen's willingness to contribute to his country needs opportunities and space of action. In its highest form, I was offered this opportunity and created such a space in early 2021, when then Kosovo's incoming Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, invited me to join his cabinet in office of the Republic of Kosovo's defence minister.

Today, on August 08th 2023, in full understanding and trust, at my request, Prime Minister Albin Kurti has freed me from the duty of the Republic of Kosovo Defence Minister! This request from me has come for family reasons, which I have announced to Prime Minister Kurti long ago. He thanked me for my work, as well as for all joint commitments so far, during the 29 months I was in charge of the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Kosovo.

After many years of serving in uniform, I as a soldier had been responsible and privileged to receive such a high task through which my professional and military experience came into state policy and strategy. Since March 22, 2021, when the government was elected Kurti 2 and up until today, it has been a long and challenging, hard work and effort, with high responsibility in the face of tasks and political awareness in the face of history. But on this road, we had a joint political vision with Prime Minister Albin Kurti and the ministers of the Government of Kosovo, who I want to thank for the work done together today as heads of ministries in the government cabinet.

At this point, I want to thank Kosovo Republic Prime Minister Albin Kurti especially for the full trust and continued support he has given me from day one to today. I'm sure Prime Minister Kurti has named Ejup Macedonia in charge of the Ministry of Defense, has chosen the right man for the task: a professional, patriot and a witness.

The path that I've followed by leading the Ministry of Defense is witnessed and unidentified, along with all the achievements, successes and advances that have accompanied this institution. I've had the chance to come to the head of the Ministry of Defence at a time when the Kosovo Security Force is going through a phase of transformation according to the Comprehensive Transition Plan. For our army, this is a very important historical period, during which the KSF will establish military capacities at full levels to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the Republic of Kosovo.

Within the first two years of our government, we have doubled the defence ministry budget from 64m euros to 123m euros, while we have recruited 1836 new soldiers. In 2021 we completed 96 % of the annual budget, and in 2022 this implementation was 95 %. And this year, so far, we have realised 57 %s of the annual budget. We have added training and schooling to soldiers and officers for over 16 times, sending them to military academys in the United Kingdom, Germany, Turkey, Albania, Croatia, and so on.

Thus, besides the numbery addition of members, the Force now has more knowledge and professionalism, as well as trained personnel in line with the Force doctrine and according to NATO standards. We made millions of euros in weapons and equipment purchases, for the first time through direct interstate agreements, avoiding and preventing possible misuses. We have been able to supply the Kosovo Security Force with new weapons systems for less than three years, including fire support systems and air support systems. We have included Kosovo as a host country other than participants, in major international exercises “Defender Europe (202118x1> and “Defender Europe 2023”, after which the Kosovo Security Force has waved infantry units to the regiment level.

For the first time in the history of the KSF, our soldiers have been part of the Middle East peace support missions and the Falkland Islands, alongside the partner armies of the United States and Great Britain. We have successfully implemented our mission in support of civil authorities, during the COVID-19 virus pandemic, and the operation to house Afghan refugees in Kosovo. Our professionalism was fully witnessed even during the rescue search operation, in aid to the Turkish people, following the February 6th 2023 earthquake.

We have added contacts and strengthened bilateral reports with our partners and allies like the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, Turkey, Italy, Albania, Croatia and other NATO countries, where Kosovo intends to join as the 33rd member state. We've started a lot of projects and programs that over the years will produce their progistic effects for strengthening the KSF, for which we've committed all available human resources and materials, managing them in the most efficient ways with the aim of maximum efficiency.

In conclusion of this chapter of my activity, I want to thank my cabinet, the entire Defense Ministry staff for their work, and all members of the Kosovo Security Force for day-to-day service. Among them, I have seen skilled officials and military officers, committed and self-convincing, every day giving of themselves to advance the objectives of the Ministry of Defence and KSF.

All this time, in my work I have been led by the national ideals of freedom martyrs, I have relied on my professionalism and military experience and have tried to lead with responsibility and integrity. It is an honor and a very special privilege to run an institution like the Ministry of Defence, which makes policies for an army originating from the Kosovo Liberation Army. I am grateful and thank my parents, who have educated me in the spirit of love for Kosovo and the Albanian nation, as I thank my wife and my three daughters for the sacrifices made during this time.

Kosovo's Security Force and the Republic of Kosovo are also awaiting much work and processes, on a long road towards strengthening our state and ensuring its full security. And on this road, you will always find me traveling with friends, our joint efforts for our country, for Kosovo, for the Albanian nation.

With respect and consideration, at your service:

Armend Mehaj