Former president Hashim Thaçi, expressing his displeasure about holding the hearing on November 28, congratulated all Albanians on Flag Day.

This reaction came during the preparatory conference in his case, which is being held at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.

Thaçi said that this hearing should have been avoided. He also expressed confidence that in future Novembers he will celebrate together with all Albanians in his own country.

“I welcome the holding of this session; for this reason, I am here today, because I am committed to respecting the rule of law. But, honorable judge, it is important that in this court things do not happen that would not be allowed to happen in other respective states. Like every people, we Albanians also have our history, traditions, and national and state values.

I believe that scheduling this session precisely on November 28 should have been avoided. Holding this session today, on November 28, is an unpleasant surprise for me and for every Albanian. Honorable judge, today every Albanian has a national, state, and family holiday.

It is the holiday of dignity and national pride, when—like every free people in the world—we celebrate and remember. Today every Albanian family and every institution in Kosovo both commemorates and celebrates. Therefore, all that remains for me is to wish Albanians a happy November 28, to celebrate united, proud, and with dignity. I believe that in the coming Novembers, we will celebrate together,” he said.