Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti has stated that historically Kosovo has had more weapons in chambers than in army barracks, describing this as an indicator of the lack of state defense capacities.
During a meeting with compatriots on Saturday in Zurich, Kurti said that the Albanian nation has been kept alive by odes, çiftelia, rifles, songs and dances, but stressed that now is the time for a new phase: the transition from strong national feeling to high state consciousness and the creation of a professional army that protects the country.
"As a strong nation, we have been kept strong by the ode, the çiftelia, the rifle, the song and the dance. But now we must move on to an army that protects us and serves the homeland," Kurti said.
He stressed the need for a modern army, according to NATO standards, and mentioned that the Vetëvendosje-led government has significantly increased investments in defense.
According to Kurti, for the third year in a row, Kosovo has invested over 2% of its Gross Domestic Product in defense, tripling the budget for the army, doubling the number of soldiers, quadrupling training for officers and non-commissioned officers, and multiplying spending on equipment, weapons and ammunition.
Kurti emphasized that the previous situation, when there was more weaponry in the chambers and even in the Kosovo Police than in the army, showed the urgent need to build genuine military capacities.
"Bile, there was more weaponry and ammunition in the chambers than in the army barracks," he added, emphasizing that today Kosovo is building a professional and capable army for the defense of the country.
