Senior state leaders of Kosovo commemorated the 22nd anniversary of the liberation of Kosovo by paying homage to the Memorial Plaque of fallen NATO soldiers in Pristina.

June 12 1999 marks the day when NATO entered Kosovo and is considered to be one of the most important moments in the history of this country. NATO intervention also represents the key factor in Kosovo’s centuries-old aspirations for freedom and independence.

President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani said that NATO forces together with the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) brought the country freedom, liberation and peace.

Deputy Commander of KFOR underlined that KFOR will stay in Kosovo as long as it will be necessary to ensure peace for all ethnic groups in Kosovo.

The Racak massacre on January 15 1999, in which 45 Albanian civilians were killed, prompted Western countries to think of a solution for the future of Kosovo. On March 24, NATO forces launched airstrikes on Serb forces in Kosovo and Serbia, after failing to find diplomatic and political solutions.

On March 27, Citizens from Kosovo headed to Albania and North Macedonia. On April 13 the number of people leaving Kosovo was around 750 thousand.