NATO intervention, Hoxha: The world chose not to be indifferent to ethnic cleansing

In his message, Hoxha stressed that air operation NATO, Operation Allied Force, was designed to stop the violence and ethnic cleansing exercised by Slobodan Milosevic's regime towards Albanians in Kosovo.

He underlined that the intervention represented a moment when the “human dignity prevailed over the fears” and when the world decided not to be indifferent to atrocities. According to him, Albania played a key role during the crisis, opening the doors for thousands of Kosovo refugees and mobilizing institutions and citizens to offer humanitarian aid.

Hoxha also stressed that today Kosovo is a free and independent state, making steady progress in building democratic institutions and strengthening its role in the region.

“Twenty-seven years ago, the world chose not to be indifferent.

NATO undertook Operation Allied Force to halt the brutal campaign of violence and ethnic cleansing undertaken by Slobodan Milosevic against Albanians in Kosovo.

It was a defining moment, when human dignity prevailed over fear, when the responsibility to protect innocent lives exceeded hesitation, and when the joint action testified that free world would not stand in the face of mass atrocities.

At that crucial moment in our history, Albania opened its heart and doors without hesitation. Despite its economic challenges, Albania hosted refugees and displaced persons home, schools and communities. Together, institutions and citizens everywhere were mobilized together with international partners to provide housing, food and protection in an extraordinary act of solidarity, which reflected not only a humanitarian response but also a profound sense of common history and common identity.

Today, Kosovo is free and independent. It stands as a living testimony to the unbroken resistance, sacrifice, and will of its people. From the wounds of war to the strengthening of democratic institutions, Kosovo has made steady progress, consolidating its country as a responsible actor in the region and contributing to peace and stability in Southeast Europe.

Today, Albania stands as a proud member of NATO, the Alliance that stopped death and destruction and restored hope, dignity and freedom in Kosovo.

We honor the victims.

We remember the courage of those who stood against oppression.

We appreciate the vital role of allies and partners who made the difference at the most important moment.

Kosovo's road continues, with confidence and determination, towards integration into the Euro-Atlantic family, based on common values of democracy, rule of law and human rights”, Hoxha writes.