President Osmani met with the KFOR Commander Major General Enrico Barduani
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, met with the Commander of KFOR, Major General Enrico Barduani, as part of the ongoing engagements to strengthen the partnership with NATO. At the invitation of Major General Barduani, the working lunch was held at the KFOR headquarters. On behalf of the citizens of Kosovo, President Osmani expressed her gratitude to the NATO mission in Kosovo, which has played an important role for more than two decades to the peace and stability. President Osmani emphasized at the meeting that given the security challenges, close cooperation and international partnership are necessary to ensure peace and stability in the country, the region and beyond. President Osmani also stated the importance of joint engagements to the protection of the values of peace and security, emphasizing that international cohesion is key in addressing global challenges. The meeting with Major General Barduani is part of President Osmani’s ongoing engagements to strengthen the relations with international partners and promote security and stability as a prerequisite for the development of Kosovo and the region.
President Osmani received the Ambassador of the United Kingdom, Jonathan Hargreaves
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received today the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves. Madam President expressed her gratitude at the meeting for the United Kingdom’s continued support to Kosovo, as well as for its essential role in the state-building process. Discussions focused on the close bilateral cooperation in the fields of security and defense, appreciating United Kingdom’s continued support for institutional reforms and the promotion of the rule of law, to which President Osmani thanked the United Kingdom for its support so far in the field of defense. Furthermore, President Osmani stressed the need to increase the level of strategic cooperation in this field, as a step towards Kosovo’s preparation for NATO membership. President Osmani also thanked the United Kingdom for the Chevening scholarship program and discussed opportunities for expanding educational and cultural exchanges, as well as strengthening partnerships in these areas. In this context, President Osmani emphasized the importance of mutual cooperation in addressing challenges and advancing common aspirations, expressing readiness to further deepen relations between the two countries in all areas.
President Osmani received the Ambassador of Türkiye, Sabri Tunç Angılı
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, received today the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Kosovo, Sabri Tunç Angılı, with whom she discussed the latest political developments in the country as well as the further expansion of bilateral relations with Türkiye. During the meeting, President Osmani praised Türkiye’s continued support and the friendly relations between the two countries, emphasizing that Türkiye remains a strategic partner and strong supporter of Kosovo. President Osmani stressed the need for continued Turkish support for Kosovo’s membership in international organizations, further recognition and continued deepening of cooperation in the field of defense. The two interlocutors agreed to expand cooperation and advance the common interests of both countries, strengthening friendly ties and long-term cooperation.
President Osmani’s Address to the “From Resolution to Revolution: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Agenda for Women, Peace and Security Conference”
This week, the “From Resolution to Revolution: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Agenda for Women, Peace and Security”conference took place in Washington D.C, organized by the Embassy of Japan, the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, and the Sasakawa Foundation for Peace in the USA. In her virtual address, the President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, spoke about the work that Kosovo has been doing to advance this agenda over the years, with particular emphasis on the importance of the continued commitment to supporting the over 20,000 survivors of sexual violence during the recent war in Kosovo.
President Osmani commemorated Smajl Hajdaraj on the 23rd anniversary of the assassination
On the 23rd anniversary of the assassination, we respectfully commemorate Smajl Hajdaraj, the MP, political activist and commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army, who was treacherously killed in an ambush on January 17, 2002. He stopped neither in war nor in peace, always remaining faithful to the ideals of freedom and independence. But, unfortunately, he was killed at a time when Kosovo needed people like him – for state-building and strengthening of democracy. The freedom he fought for cannot be complete without justice, so the perpetrators must be discovered and brought to justice. Smajl Hajdaraj will always remain in our memory as a symbol of resistance and sacrifice. Glory to his life and work!
President Osmani paid homage in honor of Jusuf and Bardhosh Gërvalla in Dubovik and at the bust of Kadri Zeka in Prishtina
This morning, the President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani paid homage in honor of Jusuf and Bardhosh Gërvalla in Dubovik and at the bust of Kadri Zeka in Prishtina. On this occasion, Madam President stated: “Today, as every year, in Dubovik to honor the patriots Jusuf and Bardhosh Gërvalla, who 43 years ago, together with Kadri Zeka, were treacherously killed by assassination in Germany. Their murder was an attempt to extinguish these powerful voices of our national cause and resistance. But, history has proven that truth and ideals can never be killed. Glory to the life and work of Jusuf and Bardhosh Gërvalla and Kadri Zeka!”
President Osmani received a delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, received today a delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, led by Ms. Petra Bayr, which will be observing the February 9th parliamentary elections. President Osmani expressed her gratitude for the support provided by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to the institutions of Kosovo and welcomed the engagements of this mission, which will be monitoring elections in Kosovo for the very first time. Emphasizing at the meeting that the parliamentary elections of February 9, 2025 will be the first regular elections being held in accordance with the new Law on General Elections, Madam President assessed this moment as an important step in improving democratic processes in the country. President Osmani underlined the need for a special focus on the representation of women in all phases of the electoral process, as well as respecting the rights of persons with disabilities, ensuring full and equal access to voting centres. President Osmani further emphasized that the Republic of Kosovo remains committed to joining the Council of Europe, and will therefore continue to strengthen the protection of human rights and the strengthening of the rule of law.
President Osmani received the European Union Election Observation Mission team
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received today the European Union Election Observation Mission team, led by Nathalie Loiseau, MEP. This meeting took place as part of the framework of joint engagements to ensure a free, fair and democratic electoral process in the general parliamentary elections of February 9th in Kosovo. During the meeting, President Osmani and President Loiseau discussed the importance of a free, fair and transparent electoral process, underlining that Kosovo has already proven its commitment to organizing democratic elections. President Osmani, through a letter sent on September 3rd 2024, to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, requested the deployment of an Election Observation Mission. In this context, President Osmani expressed her gratitude for the EU’s continued engagement to support democracy in Kosovo and recalled the importance of the EU observation missions since 2013. She emphasized that these are the first regular elections under the new Law on General Elections, giving a new dimension to the electoral process in the country. At the meeting with Ms. Loiseau, President Osmani reiterated the request made in her letter to Mr. Borrell, so that this mission also focuses on the representation of women in all phases of the electoral process. She emphasized the importance of women’s representation on electoral lists, gender budgeting, their presence in the media, as well as addressing issues of gender-based violence during the campaign, including online violence. In this context, President Osmani restated the request that this Mission also focuses on respect for the rights of persons with disabilities, especially regarding their access to polling stations. Madam President assessed that gender equality is one of the fundamental principles of democracy and should be reflected in all aspects of the electoral process. President Osmani, based on the reports of the progress of past elections, including the reports of EU observation missions which have concluded that in the northern municipalities of the Republic of Kosovo there has been illegal interference, intimidation and obstruction of the exercise of the right to free voting, stressed the need for the observers of this EU Mission to ensure that they monitor whether the right to free voting is being fully exercised, in accordance with the highest democratic standards throughout the territory of the Republic of Kosovo.
President Osmani: Today we were in Reçak, in the small village with a great history, where 26 years ago, humanity and cruelty had the most macabre battle in this part of Europe
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, paid homage today at the Memorial Complex in Reçak. President Osmani wrote: Today we were in Reçak, in the small village with a great history, where 26 years ago, humanity and cruelty had the most macabre battle in this part of Europe. Our memory is a shield against oblivion and a guarantee that such crimes will never be repeated. The young men, women and children we met today are the new generation of Reçak, the descendants of the victims, who testify to the invincibility and resilience of our people, despite the great sacrifice and pain. Glory to the martyrs and heroes of Reçak!
President Vjosa Osmani’s speech at the Reçak Massacre Commemoration Ceremony, held at the House of Culture in Shtime
Honourable Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Kurti, Honourable Mayor, Honourable Ambassador Walker and Mrs. Walker, Honourable families of the victims of the Reçak massacre, Honourable survivors of this massacre, Honourable Excellencies, Ambassadors, MPs, Ministers, representatives of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, Honourable participants As on every anniversary, today we are in Reçak, in the small village with a great history – where 26 years ago, humanity and cruelty had the most macabre encounter in this part of Europe. On a gloomy day in January 1999, 45 residents of Reçak, including men, women, and the elderly, were massacred by the genocidal regime of Serbia, thus revealing the brutal face of genocide and oppression. Reçak is not only a tragedy related to this village and its inhabitants, but a testimony to the long suffering of our people, who sought and fought for freedom and the right to exist. The images of that massacre shocked the world and touched the international conscience and mobilized diplomacy. All this thanks to our great friend, Ambassador William Walker, who, with courage and dedication, gave voice to the undeniable truth of the suffering of our people. He testified before the world what he saw with his own eyes: the unimaginable atrocities that the Serbian genocidal regime committed against the defenceless Albanian population here in Reçak and everywhere in Kosovo. What I saw here is a crime against humanity. It is a massacre and there are no other words to describe it, were the words of Ambassador Walker at the time. Today, Ambassador Walker, who is among us, remains a symbol of human conscience and international justice. For this, I had the honour to award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in October of last year on behalf of the people of our Republic! The words spoken with determination by Ambassador Walker shocked international public opinion and were a call for immediate action. And this also paved the way for NATO intervention, which, together with the liberation war of the sons and daughters of Kosovo, the girls and boys of our Liberation Army, finally made Kosovo free. They fought bravely for freedom, to defend our right to live freely in our land. The KLA girls and boys were worthy representatives of a generation that never knelt in the face of the oppression and terror of genocidal Serbia. Today we bow with deep respect to their sacrifice and the memory of all those who gave their lives for our freedom. The Reçak massacre remains a permanent reference to the suffering and our fight for freedom. It reminds us not only of the pain of that time, a pain that is still present among the families, survivors and every citizen of our Republic, but it also reminds us of the strength and resilience of our people to rise again and triumph. We will never forget Reçak and the truth it represents. It is part of our national identity and a constant goal to protect our independent, sovereign, free and democratic state. We must never stop telling this truth, every day, in every forum, everywhere around the world we must demonstrate that during the years ’98-’99 the people of Kosovo defended their homes from the Serbian genocidal regime. At a time when Reçak and all of Kosovo are still seeking justice for the innocent victims of the war and what we see now in Serbia is the continuation of the mentality of the 1990s. This mentality caused over 100,000 civilians to be killed in this part of Europe. When the people of Reçak were massacred, the propaganda to justify such massacres in Serbia was carried out by the Minister of Information, by the name of Aleksandar Vuciq. Today, the same one, under the guise of the President of Serbia, continues to deny the Reçak massacre, denies what the world saw with its own eyes, calls Milosevic a great man with good intentions and, as the propagandist that he is, on the one hand he talks about peace, and on the other hand he sends his paramilitary terrorist forces to attack Kosovo. But, just like in the 90s, today Kosovo has sons and daughters who serve their homeland and protect every inch of it. Hence, today we are all gathered together to once again bow down to the sacrifice of the 45 martyrs of Reçak and the martyrs who fell in their defense. The victims of Reçak were victims of a regime that did not spare the elderly, women, or children, just like the victims all over Kosovo. They are and will continue to be our heroes, because with their sacrifice they showed us how precious freedom is and how high the price our people paid. We will never forget them! Their memory will be a permanent reference for everything we do. May the memory of the 45 martyrs and the fallen of Reçak be eternal! May the memory of all those who gave their lives for the freedom of Kosovo be eternal! Glory to the martyrs! May God bless Reçak, Kosovo and its people. Thank you.