Madam President: Pink October of hope, solidarity and awareness!
Under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, part of the International Month of the Fight Against Breast Cancer and together with the Kosovar Center for the Fight against Breast Cancer “JETA/VITA”, the traditional walk took place today. President Osmani’s full post: #Pink October of hope, solidarity and awareness! 🎀 Today, we marched together to raise awareness of the importance of early detection of breast cancer. No woman should be alone in this struggle. Those who have gone through this difficult journey are the proof of strength and courage in facing cancer. Early detection saves lives!
President Vjosa Osmani’s speech at the Annual Conference of the Balkan Constitutional Courts Forum
Thank you very much! Honourable President of the Constitutional Court, Ms. Caka-Nimani, Honourable Presidents of Constitutional Courts from various Balkan countries, Representatives of the European Court of Human Rights, Professors of Constitutional Law and International Law, Former Judges, Honourable Ambassadors to the Republic of Kosovo, Honourable Guests, I have the honour to address you today at the second annual conference of the Balkan Constitutional Courts Forum and to join the President of the Court in welcoming you to the Republic of Kosovo. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on the establishment of the Forum of Courts and the organization of annual conferences, such as this one today. I am convinced that the establishment of this forum will further enhance cooperation between Constitutional Courts towards the highest standards of interpretation of the Constitution and in the function of protecting and guaranteeing human rights and freedoms. Today, I am also pleased that the second conference of this forum finds the participating courts gathered in the capital of our Republic, which also coincides with the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Court. The Republic of Kosovo remains committed to the fundamental principles of democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and freedoms, which are embodied as the fundamental values of our constitutional order and are established in the very foundations of our state. Our Constitution is extremely unique, among other things, for the fact that it assigns to the President of the country an extremely important and substantial duty: the duty to guarantee the constitutional functioning of all institutions of the Republic of Kosovo. This is one of the main duties of this institution and during these years of my mandate I have been guided every day by this sacred duty while exercising all my powers. In interpreting the Constitution, its letter and spirit, the constitutional courts today represent the culminating institution. They carry an extremely great mission and responsibility, especially in new democracies such as our Republic, in guaranteeing, but also affirming the constitutional principles, of the constitutions from which their legitimacy derives. As Judge Traja rightly said, a Constitution has meaning only when it is the basis and summit of a legal system, when it is protected from norms and acts that violate its unity, that is, when there is a guaranteeing and controlling function and a special institution that carries out this control, such as the Constitutional Court. The development of constitutional justice is inevitable and linked to the development of legal sciences, therefore, when we find ourselves in such conferences and forums, we are obliged to reflect on the idea of the prominent German jurist, Kotz, who considered that: “no study deserves the name of a science, if it is limited only to phenomena that arise within its national borders”. Thus, collaborations such as this conference today, increase the possibility that the interpretation of the Constitution, which is the epicenter of the activity of a constitutional court, will be, among other things, a comparative interpretation. Can we imagine an isolated court decision today?! How can such a decision be advanced with contemporary standards of guaranteeing freedoms and human rights, if as such it is not subject to a comparative assessment with the practices of other countries? Moreover, today we are all witnesses of the decisions of the constitutional courts which, in the essence of their interpretation, also have the comparison and connection of the facts and constitutional arguments with the practice of one or several other courts. Therefore, a round table like this one today, where from what I saw from the agenda, constitutional issues are treated from the perspective of different practices, is also a good opportunity to benefit from the experiences of the courts among themselves, experiences that are undoubtedly of great help to each judge in a given case. Let me reiterate that the Republic of Kosovo, throughout its 16 years of existence and the 15 years of existence of the Constitutional Court, has set an exceptionally good example of the rule of law, and in particular, the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo have shown a high institutional culture and responsibility in respecting the decisions of the Constitutional Court, even though there are many cases when they did not like them. On the other hand, the practice of this court has been enriched by the principles and standards established by the European Court of Human Rights, which continues to serve as a guide in building values and increasing legal certainty for the citizens of our Republic. As you know, this standard is also embodied in our Constitution itself, which requires that the decisions of our country’s public institutions related to human rights must be in accordance with the standards of the European Court of Human Rights, which has been respected and continues to be respected, but also an additional argument why Kosovo has deserved and continues to deserve to be a full member of the Council of Europe. Finally, as we mark this 15th anniversary, I would like to express my willingness as President of the Republic to continue cooperating with all of you in the service of the Constitution and the interests of the country and our citizens without distinction. A democracy and a Constitution can be said to have been fully successful only when all of us, whether in political institutions or in the courts, including the Constitutional Court, understand that no one, no one is above the Constitution. Thank you!
Address by President Vjosa Osmani on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the USAID Mission in Kosovo
USAID friends, partners, Distinguished guests, Let me start by saying congratulations and a heartfelt thank you – thank you to USAID and the US government for the historic unwavering support for the Republic of Kosovo. I truly wish I could have been there with you tonight in person and believe me, we tried to make it work out. Yet, while I may not be physically present, I’m grateful for this opportunity to join you virtually and share this important moment with all of you. Tonight, we gather not just to celebrate an important milestone but also to honor a story. A story of hope, resilience, and a people determined to rise above the darkest chapters of their history. A story that is not only Kosovo’s—but also America’s. Twenty-five years ago, in the aftermath of Milosevic’s genocidal war, when the wounds were fresh and dreams were shattered, a hand was extended to us. It was the hand of friendship, the hand of partnership—the hand of the American people. Through that hand, through USAID, came a promise: a promise that the people of Kosovo would not walk this path alone. We remember those early days—when homes still laid in ruins, when our institutions were young, and when our democracy was just beginning to take root. It was then that USAID, side by side with the people of Kosovo, began the work of rebuilding. Brick by brick, school by school, project by project—you helped us lift our heads, strengthen our communities, and plant the seeds of a better tomorrow. But USAID’s mission here was never just about bricks and mortar. It was about something deeper—something more enduring. It was about investing in the dreams of our people, empowering our youth, and building institutions that stand as pillars of justice, equality, and opportunity. Kosovo today stands as a testament to what is possible when countries join hands and stand together in pursuit of shared values—freedom, dignity, and the belief that every human being deserves the chance to shape their own destiny. We see the legacy of that partnership in every corner of our country: in the entrepreneurial spirit of our young women and men shaping Kosovo’s future, in a judiciary strengthened and made more transparent, in protecting the rule of law, in our economy and its every rising robustness. But—our journey is not over. We have come far, yes, but there is still work to be done. Kosovo continues to strive for the full realization of its potential as a proud and equal member of the international community. And in this ongoing mission, we know that the strength of our partnership with the United States and USAID will remain as vital as ever. Tonight, as we celebrate this 25-year journey, we are reminded of a simple truth: history is not made by the actions of state institutions alone, but also by the courage and resolve of ordinary people. It is made by those who choose to believe, even in the face of adversity, that tomorrow can be better than today. And certainly so, we can never do it alone. We need friends, partners and supporters – and USAID has been all of that ever since day one. So, tonight, to our partners at USAID, we say: thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We thank you not just for what you have done, but for what you have stood for—your commitment to our shared values, your belief in our people, and for standing with us in both the hardest of times and the brightest of moments. Let us move forward from this day with renewed purpose. Let us recommit ourselves to the cause of peace, justice, and progress. Together, Kosovo and the United States have written a powerful chapter in the book of history. And together, I am confident, we will write many more. Thank you. May God bless Kosovo, the United States, and the enduring friendship between our two countries.
President Osmani met with Ambassador Robert Wood
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani met with Ambassador Robert Wood. President Osmani’s full post: At the US Permanent Mission in the United Nations, in a meeting with Ambassador Robert Wood, we had a substantive and productive discussion today about Kosovo’s successes and the importance of continued coordination in benefit of peace and security in the region.
The First Gentleman of the Republic of Kosovo Prindon Sadriu, participated at the change of the KFOR Regional Command – East ceremony
The First Gentleman of the Republic of Kosovo Prindon Sadriu, at the invitation of the Commander of the Bondsteel military camp, respectively the Commander of the Regional Command – East, participated at the Ceremony of the change of the Regional Command – East of the NATO mission in Kosovo- KFOR, which was held at the US military Camp Bondsteel. On this occasion, the First Gentleman expressed the appreciation and gratitude to the outgoing Commander of the American armed forces, Colonel Baker, and wished the new Commander Colonel Helzer, a warm welcome and great success in accomplishment of his important task.
President Osmani spoke at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington about Kosovo’s journey: A story of resilience, unity and progress
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, spoke at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C. about Kosovo’s journey – a story of resilience, unity and progress. President Osmani’s full post: At the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C., I shared Kosovo’s journey – a story of resilience, unity and progress, and emphasized the importance of never giving up on the path to freedom. Below is a summary of my speech at the Women’s International Leadership Summit at the John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
President Osmani met Congressman Ritchie Torres
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani met with Congressman Ritchie Torres. President Osmani’s full post: In New York, we had a valuable discussion with Congressman Ritchie Torres on the latest developments in Kosovo and in the region. Grateful for his unwavering support to Kosovo and for strengthening our ties with the United States. Thank you to our diaspora for the organisation, and for continuing to play a crucial role in the ongoing empowerment and strengthening of this alliance.
President Osmani met with the leadership of the American Chamber of Commerce and representatives of Google and Amazon
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani met with the leadership of the American Chamber of Commerce, and with representatives of Google and Amazon. President Osmani’s full post: Economic cooperation, strategic investments and digital development were at the center of discussions in meetings with the leadership of the American Chamber of Commerce and representatives of Google and Amazon. We discussed the economic perspective of our country and the strategic importance of continuous cooperation. Our goal is the complete and accurate inclusion of Kosovo in the largest global digital platforms, to strengthen the private sector in the country, to improve the quality of digital services for our citizens, and to further advance our bilateral relations.
President Osmani bestowed awards on Ambassador Walker, the late Congressman Lantos, Ambassador Fried, Josh Black and Mira Ricardel
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, has awarded Ambassador William Walker, the late Congressman Tom Lantos, Ambassador Daniel Fried, Josh Black and Mira Ricardel with the Order of Freedom and the Order of Independence. President Osmani’s full post: THANK YOU from the people of Kosovo! Through their unceasing efforts and unwavering engagements to peace, freedom and independence of the Republic of Kosovo, Ambassador William Walker, the late Congressman Tom Lantos, Ambassador Daniel Fried, Josh Black and Mira Ricardel are some of our American allies who have left a legacy that will always be remembered with humility by the people of Kosovo. Their support shaped our past, strengthens our present, and inspires the promise of our future. Today, in Washington D.C., I had the privilege to, on behalf of the Republic of Kosovo, award to them the Order of Freedom and the Order of Independence.
President Osmani begins her visit to the USA: We started with the International Republican Institute (IRI) where we discussed cooperation in the field of security, partnerships, women, peace and security, as well as the future of Kosovo
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, has commenced her visit to the United States of America, where she will participate in several activities related to the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda. President Osmani’s full post: We are in the United States of America to participate in several activities related to the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda. Today, we started with the International Republican Institute (IRI), where we discussed cooperation in the field of security, partnerships, women, peace and security, and Kosovo’s future. Grateful as always for the invitation and the dynamic discussion!