Edited by Anna Popper
The Republic of Kosovo celebrates its National Day, commemorating the declaration of independence on 17 February 2008 – a pivotal moment that reshaped the nation’s contemporary history and affirmed its path toward sovereign statehood and international recognition.
To mark the 18th anniversary of statehood, His Excellency Mr. Delfin Pllana, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Hungary and Mrs. Mimoza Hasani Pllana hosted a festive reception at the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, housed in the magnificent Wenckheim Palace. The neo-baroque surroundings provided an elegant setting for an evening of commemoration, friendship, and partnership.
The event brought together senior officials of Hungarian institutions, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of international organisations, members of the media, as well as the Albanian diaspora – including students from Kosovo studying in Hungary. The Guest of Honour was Ms. Katalin Bihari, Deputy State Secretary and Executive Director of the Hungarian Export Promotion Agency (HEPA) at the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, underscoring the growing economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The ceremony opened with the national anthems of the Republic of Kosovo and Hungary, setting a solemn tone for the evening.
Mrs. Ágnes Kovács Koreny, Director General of the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, welcomed the guests and highlighted the significance of hosting the celebration in the capital’s central library.
She drew particular attention to the “Ibrahim Rugova Corner”, which was inaugurated in 2025 in the presence of the President of Kosovo, Her Excellency Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu. This area honours the memory and literary works of the distinguished Kosovar statesman, scholar, and writer Dr. Ibrahim Rugova (1944-2006), who served as President of the Republic of Kosova between 1992-2000 and subsequently as President of Kosovo from 2002 until his death in 2006. The presence of this cultural tribute in one of Budapest’s most prestigious institutions symbolises the deepening intellectual and cultural ties between Hungary and Kosovo.
In her remarks, the Director praised the constructive cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Budapest and conveyed her warm greetings to all attendees, emphasising the importance of cultural diplomacy in building bridges between nations.
Addressing the distinguished audience, H.E. Mr. Delfin Pllana delivered his speech:
“Excellencies, Esteemed Guests, Dear Deputy State Secretary Ms. Katalin Bihari, Dear Friends, it is a true honour and a great pleasure to welcome you this evening as we celebrate the 18th Independence Day of the Republic of Kosovo. Your presence gives special meaning to this occasion and reflects the strong bonds of friendship between the Republic of Kosovo and its friends and partners in Hungary. Before I continue with my brief remarks, allow me to express my sincere gratitude to the Director General of the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, Ms. Ágnes Kovács Koreny, for kindly allowing us to hold our Independence Day celebration in this magnificent palace. Thank you most sincerely for your generosity and hospitality.
Allow me also to extend my warm greetings to the members of Parliament, mayors, deputy state secretaries, esteemed ambassadors, diplomats, and honorary consuls; representatives of public life, business, civil society, and academia; and, above all, to the members of the Kosovar diaspora and our students.
Eighteen years ago, on 17 February 2008, the Assembly of Kosovo declared independence, marking a historic and transformative moment in our nation’s journey. Guided by the Ahtisaari Plan, Kosovo committed itself to building a democratic and multi-ethnic state grounded in the rule of law, respect for human rights, and a clear European and Euro-Atlantic future. Independence was the result of determination, sacrifice, and the steadfast support of our international partners.
Since then, Kosovo has made steady and tangible progress in strengthening its democratic institutions. Most recently, Kosovo held free and fair elections with strong participation from our diaspora, demonstrating the vitality and resilience of our democracy. On 11 February 2026, the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo voted in a new Government led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, reaffirming the continuity and stability of our constitutional order and paving the way for the continuation of reforms within the framework of our integration into the European Union.
Kosovo’s Parliament swiftly started work that had been pending for some time and adopted key reform legislation, such as agreements for the European Union Growth Plan worth €882.6 million, as well as three agreements with the World Bank worth over €120 million. Kosovo continues to make progress in the areas of the rule of law, transparency, and economic development, while remaining firmly committed to reforms and sustainable growth, as confirmed by many renowned indexes. Even when faced with security challenges, Kosovo’s security institutions have acted with determination to safeguard stability and uphold the rule of law throughout the entire country.
On this important anniversary, I wish to express our deep appreciation to Hungary, which recognized Kosovo’s independence on 19 March 2008. Hungary has been a consistent and valued partner, contributing to stability in Kosovo through its important role in the NATO mission KFOR, including its leadership from November 2021 to October 2022. Even today, Hungary remains one of the largest contributors to KFOR, underlining its continued and strong commitment to regional security. Hungary has also supported Kosovo’s European perspective, including through its engagement during the EU Council Presidency and its advocacy for visa liberalization. While the path toward full European Union membership requires patience and sustained effort, Kosovo’s commitment to European integration remains unwavering and is strongly supported by its citizens.
Our bilateral relations rest on a solid legal and institutional foundation. Cooperation in the field of education is a particular success. Since 2015, the Stipendium Hungaricum program has enabled around 300 Kosovar students to pursue their studies in Hungary, thus building lasting academic, professional, and personal ties between our two countries. The Kosovar diaspora in Hungary also contributes significantly to economic life, notably in the bakery sector, where many entrepreneurs have established successful businesses across the country. Together with our students, they represent living bridges between Kosovo and Hungary.
Looking ahead, there is considerable potential to further expand economic cooperation. The planned establishment of a Kosovo–Hungarian Chamber of Commerce in Budapest will provide a structured platform for deepening business partnerships and investments. Enhanced connectivity, including the possible reintroduction of a direct flight between Budapest and Pristina, would further boost tourism, trade, and people-to-people contacts.
At the local level, city-twinning initiatives continue to strengthen cooperation and mutual understanding, with discussions underway to broaden these partnerships even further. The first city-twinning agreement was signed on 17 February 2023 between Peja (Kosovo) and Eger (Hungary).
Allow me, in closing, to express my heartfelt gratitude to my family for their continued support, to the dedicated staff of our Embassy for their excellent organization of this evening, and to our distinguished guests and artists from Kosovo, the Agron Peni Trio, for enriching tonight’s cultural program. Thank you for being with us and for celebrating this special day together.”
“Long live the friendship between Kosovo and Hungary. Long live the Republic of Kosovo.”
In her speech representing the Hungarian Government, Ms. Katalin Bihari conveyed warm congratulations on the occasion:
“Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is an honour and a privilege to be with you here today celebrating the Independence Day of the Republic of Kosovo.
Eighteen years have passed since Kosovo gained independence. The children born at that time have since become fully-fledged adults – in legal terms at least. We are glad to see the progress made during this period not only by Kosovo, but also in terms of our bilateral ties.
Let me highlight that 2025 was a remarkable year in our relations, marked by President Vjosa Osmani’s visit to Budapest. I hope that the years ahead will be equally fruitful.
It gives us great pleasure that dynamic trade relations have evolved between our countries since 2008, and that Hungarian companies – as testament to the country’s economic development – show increasing interest in the Kosovar market.
Similarly, much has also been accomplished in the areas of culture and science. The recently established section in this very library, named after Ibrahim Rugova, politician, scholar, and writer, who served as President of the partially recognised Republic of Kosovo between 1992-2000 and as President of Kosovo from 2002 until his death in 2006, enables the Hungarian public to learn more about Kosovo and its culture.
At the same time, Hungarian participation in events such as the DAM Music Festival introduces our young talents to Kosovar audiences.
These interactions bring our peoples closer together, but none more so than the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme, which supports up to 75 students from Kosovo to pursue their studies at Hungarian universities.
It is clear, however, that the stability and security of Kosovo are essential for further strengthening and expanding our ties – not only for the sake of our bilateral cooperation, but also for the prosperity of the entire region. I am proud to say that Hungary takes a leading role in guaranteeing this security through its active presence in NATO’s KFOR mission. Let me assure you that we intend to maintain our high level of commitment in the future as well.
Furthermore, we were glad to see Kosovo being invited to the Board of Peace. This initiative underscores the vital importance of peaceful conflict resolution, which is much needed in today’s increasingly turbulent world. We hope that this principle will also guide the Belgrade–Pristina Dialogue, bringing common understanding and acceptance in the region. With the new government taking office, we are confident that Kosovo’s European integration process can gain new momentum, and we look forward to cooperating with you towards this goal.
In conclusion, I would like to once again congratulate you and the people of Kosovo on the occasion of Independence Day and thank you for your kind hospitality.”
The event was enriched by a concert from the trio of the well-known guitarist Agron Peni. This unique ensemble blends ethnic roots, flamenco spirit, and Latin rhythms, all grounded in a pure classical structure. The musical performance was accompanied by a video exhibition by photographer Arben Llapashtica, reflecting the landscapes, natural beauty, and historic heritage of Kosovo, adding a distinctive cultural dimension to the celebration.
The evening concluded with a reception, featuring a generous selection of traditional Kosovar culinary specialties, served in a warm and convivial atmosphere that encouraged lively conversations, professional networking, and the further strengthening of relations between Kosovo, Hungary and the international audience.
Source: Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo
Photos from the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo and Diplomatic Press Agency
