The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani participated today at the receiving ceremony of the first contingent of Covid-19 vaccines donated by the United States of America, the ceremony also attended by the Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti, Minister of Health Arben Vitia, Ambassador of the United States of America Philip Kosnett, Ulrika Richardson-United Nations Development Coordinator.
President Osmani expressed her gratitude to the United States of America and reiterated the great importance and urgency that every citizen of the Republic of Kosovo gets vaccinated.
” As you know, until the end of March, Kosovo was the only country in Europe that did not provide any type of vaccine. Today, I will not talk about the reasons that brought us to such a situation, but I will reiterate once again how difficult and disturbing was the situation we faced at that time. “Uncertainty was great, fatigue and burden were present everywhere, as were the challenges which followed and increased in all directions”, said the President.
The head of state made it known that in March she addressed in a letter President Biden with a request for help.
“I was convinced that President Biden, would understand and agree with such a situation as he has historically proven, given the fact that his administration has made vaccination a priority since day one of his government, and clearly understands the importance of this process, not only for the United States but for every corner of the globe,” said Madam President.
She also added that our institutions in the meantime, in addition to the contract with Pfizer provided other vaccines, but above all, we received a positive response from President Biden for over five hundred thousand vaccines as a donation from the US, the first contingent of which was received on Friday.
“The value of this donation of vaccines goes beyond numbers. Solidarity triumphed today and the strong friendship between the United States of America and the Republic of Kosovo is reconfirmed. This action is the seal of our popular expression that “A friend in need is a friend indeed”. Therefore, thank you President Biden and the whole of the United States, thank you very much to all the American people! Thank you also to those who committed themselves to the facilitation of the procedures for the transport of the first quantity of vaccine contingent, in this case, the COVAX initiative. “On behalf of the citizens of the Republic, I am grateful that you continue to be with us in good days, but also in days of hardship!” said President Osmani.
President Osmani appealed to the citizens of Kosovo to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
“Vaccination is and will be the only and the safest weapon to defeat the virus! I said it days ago and I am reiterating that vaccination is the most patriotic act of this time. We must do it for ourselves, for our loved ones, for the good of all, for our state. Everyone should get vaccinated because this is the fairest, most appropriate and safest thing to do for our personal and overall health. This is the only way to save lives, to reduce pain, and to help all those who are facing the pandemic and especially for those who are on the front line and are working tirelessly in saving our lives, that is the medical personnel “, added the President.
According to the President, vaccination is our safest chance to triumph over the virus.
“To save lives, to save our economy, to save our future!”, added President Osmani.