The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani – Sadriu accompanied by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, laid a flower wreath and paid homage at the tomb of the historic President Dr. Ibrahim Rugova on the 16th anniversary of his death.
President Osmani said that today is the 16th anniversary of the passing into eternity of the architect of the independence of the Republic of Kosovo, the ideator of the independence of the Republic of Kosovo, our historic President Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, who did so much for our country that he has become the face of this state, through the veins of which runs the influence that President Rugova had throughout his life.
“Of course, he worked and acted in an extremely difficult time for all the people of Kosovo, at a time of occupation, but despite this, he managed to unite the people of Kosovo around the cause expressed in the trinomial of freedom, independence and democracy, and in at the same time, he managed to build great friendships for Kosovo, which make them necessary to make this trinomial a reality, that is, to achieve our freedom, our independence and to see alive today the democratic state of Kosovo “, said President Osmani.
The head of the country further added that today we enjoy our country, but we also enjoy these friendships which with so much effort and dedication were built by President Rugova through his work and the work of many other men and women who toiled hard for us to have the state today, and to enjoy the freedom.
“The memory of him will live in the hearts and minds of all citizens of Kosovo forever, while his activities and engagements will remain a guide to us, as we strive to make Kosovo as strong and as prosperous in the state-building process, ” President Osmani affirmed.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti said that President Ibrahim Rugova is the first President of Kosovo, elected by popular vote on May 24, 1992, and also the first President of liberated Kosovo elected by the Assembly of Kosovo on March 4, 2002.
“Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, even before he was President was a committed intellectual, a peaceful and calm man, rational and humanist. He made an invaluable contribution to the unification of Albanians against occupying Serbia and also to the internationalization of the Kosovo issue. Hence, this year when we mark the 16th anniversary of his death, we also mark his 20th anniversary as President of a free Kosovo, on March 4, as well as his 30th anniversary as the first President on May 24th,” said Prime Minister Kurti.