Press release

Below is the speech by the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Arta Rama-Hajrizi, at the celebration ceremony of 241st Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America, organized by the US Embassy in Prishtina:

Honorable Ambassador Delawie,
Honorable Ms. Kimble Delawie,
Honored Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am tremendously honored and privileged to have been invited to address this distinguished audience on behalf of the Republic of Kosovo and together mark this anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America. We celebrate today in the newest country in Europe, which achieved its freedom and independence through the sacrifice of its people and with the strong support of the American people. We celebrate here today, both, the Independence Day of the United States of America and our friendship.

To us, the United States not only represents an inspiration, but it is also a reminder that achieving independence is not and cannot be the only purpose. On the contrary, the United States- as we know it today, is a result of the ongoing effort of the American people to make their society freer, more open, more democratic, more developed and better for everyone.

The Unites States are the best example to show that the state-building process does never end. The continuous efforts of many generations to give meaning to the independence and to achieve an accomplished state, have made it possible for each citizen and politician, throughout different generations, to have the opportunity to provide their contribution in the ongoing process of state-building.

It is less than a decade since the historical moment when Kosovo declared its independence. The time for historical achievements for Kosovo has not ended. On the contrary, now each achievement, each progress, and each development makes history. Therefore, every generation must take upon itself the responsibility to provide its valuable contribution to the building of our state, which among others, is made possible, through strengthening the rule of law.

The rule of law is one of the fundamental principles based on which the American constitutional system is built. The Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo is also built on the same principle – no one is above the law and everyone, without exception, is under its control. However, the implementation of this principle in a comprehensive manner, still leaves much to be desired. This challenge must serve us a roadmap to accurately define the goals and to design actions aimed at strengthening our state.

Kosovo has a Constitution which, first of all, reflects the highest standards of the contemporary democracy, protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the citizens, and the best practices in term of the separation of powers. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kosovo works every day with the greatest commitment to protect these constitutional values. The accomplishment of this purpose is my primary mission as the President of the Court, and of the Judges as an integral and decision-making part of this Institution.

Furthermore, the protection of constitutionality and legality must be the obligation of each and every state institution, state official, and citizen of our Republic. The example of the United States reflects the successes that can be achieved when the rule of law is the foundation upon which a society is built. In achieving this goal, we have the support of the United States and many other friends of Kosovo. We also owe this to the people of Kosovo, their sacrifice and their hopes for a better future.

Finally, the United States teaches us that a society is not defined by the challenges it faces, but rather by the manner in which it resolves these challenges. The manner in which we identify and resolve our challenges is the best indicator of whether our democracy works.

Our country today faces another test for its democracy. Among the tests of a functioning democratic society is the establishment of the institutions resulting from elections, namely, the translation of the constitutional mandate into representative institutions in service of the people and accountable to the people. The constitutional rules must be interpreted in function of the establishment of these institutions and they cannot serve as a pretext to create obstacles in the process of the establishment of the constitutional institutions deriving from the elections.

The successful passing of this test, will be an additional indicator of the sustainability of the democracy in Kosovo; an additional indicator of the commitment of all Kosovo institutions for respecting and strengthening the rule of law.

Only through the latter, the future of Kosovo promises welfare for its citizens. Only in a country where the rule of law governs, we will be able to every year celebrate our independence with pride, as our American friends are celebrating today.  

I wish that the United States of America and its people continue to be a beacon of hope for Kosovo and for all the other peoples of the world.

May you be blessed forever!