The President of Kosovo, Dr. Vjosa Osmani received the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Ms. Ann Linde, with whom she discussed about the role of the OSCE in Kosovo and the further cooperation with this organization.
On this visit, Ms. Linde was also accompanied by Ms. Asa Regner, UN Women Deputy Executive Director, as the focus of this visit was also the issue of the empowerment of girls and women in the field of security and peace processes.
President Osmani expressed gratitude for the role that this organization played in Kosovo in the 1990s, through its observation mission, but also after the war, in strengthening institutions. She presented to Minister Linde the intention of the institutions to deepen relations with international institutions and organizations such as the OSCE.
“Our priority”, she said, “is the cooperation with international institutions and organizations, as well as the fastest possible membership of our country in them, because in this manner all the citizens of the country would benefit”.
She requested from Minister Linde that Sweden, as the leading country of the OSCE, should influence the advancement of Kosovo’s relations with this organization.
Furthermore, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office presented to President Osmani the priorities that her country will follow during the time it leads this organization.
At the meeting, the parties also discussed about strengthening security and peace, in particular the participation of women in security policies.
The fact that the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo voted unanimously for the inclusion of the Istanbul Convention in the Constitution was highly praised. In doing so, the parties stressed that Kosovo is presented as a country that clearly understands the importance of the engagement in the prevention of violence against women and domestic violence, as well as the protection of victims.
President Osmani emphasized that beyond this important step, Kosovo needs support towards the implementation of this Convention, seeking to identify modalities of concrete cooperation in this regard.
The parties praised Kosovo’s readiness to work closely with the OSCE and UN Women in strengthening the role of women in public life, including security institutions.