KOHË's Brussels correspondent, Augustin Palokaj, recounted his experiences from June 12, 1999, the day when NATO troops entered Kosovo, describing it as one of the most important and exciting moments of his professional life.
Palokaj has indicated that he was in Skopje two days before the entry of NATO forces and that on the morning of June 12, he joined the first column of British troops that departed for Kosovo.
"I set off together with NATO soldiers and in the evening we arrived at a hill near Pristina. Without knowing that NATO had not yet fully entered, we went to the city center. It was an unforgettable moment," he recalled in a story on KTV's "Interaktiv".
According to Palokaj, the next day British soldiers entered the center of Pristina with armored vehicles, while the citizens who had remained in the city welcomed them with enthusiasm and emotion.
"The next day, British soldiers entered the center with the strongest means and there was euphoria among the few citizens of Pristina who remained," he continued.
He emphasized that at the same time, NATO troops were also entering Prizren from Albania, beginning the gradual deployment of the KFOR mission, which continues to be present today.
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Reflecting after 27 years, Palokaj said that he still finds it hard to believe how much time has passed since that day, adding that Kosovo today is completely different thanks to NATO intervention, the KLA war, and the role that KFOR has played in maintaining security in the country.
"I can't believe it's been 27 years since that day. Today we have a completely different situation thanks to NATO intervention, the KLA war and the KFOR mission, a mission that has more or less successfully completed its task," Palokaj concluded.
