Madam President: Tina Kaidanow was a bold and courageous leader who played a profound role in many critical and historical events before and after the proclamation of Kosovo’s independence
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani statd that it was with great sadness that we received the news of the passing of Ambassador Tina Kaidanow, the first US ambassador to the independent Republic of Kosovo and an outstanding supporter of our country. President Osmani’s full post: It is with deep sadness that we received the news of the passing of Ambassador Tina Kaidanow, the first US ambassador to the independent Republic of Kosovo and an outstanding supporter of our country. Tina was a bold and courageous leader who played a profound role in many critical and historical events before and after the proclamation of Kosovo’s independence. I had the honor to work closely with her and learned much from her wisdom and dedication. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, and colleagues as we all mourn her loss.
President Osmani received the Nobel laureate Denis Mukwege, at the same time an advocate of the prevention and elimination of sexual violence during the war
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received the Nobel laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege, one of the world’s most vocal advocates on the prevention and elimination of sexual violence during the war. The ongoing need to support survivors of sexual violence during the war was discussed at the meeting. On this occasion, Dr. Mukwege commended the Republic of Kosovo for its ongoing efforts on the global stage to share best practices in support of survivors of sexual violence during the war. President Osmani emphasized that the fight for justice for the survivors is a vital mission, which one should never give up. Dr. Denis Mukwege was also one of the participants at the International Forum on Women, Peace and Security, organized by President Osmani in April 2024.
President Osmani’s speech at the 25th anniversary of the KRTC conference
It is difficult to speak after Vasfije, who, despite the emotions that continue to be strong, full of pain even 25 years later, gives a message in few words, but with an extraordinary power that has managed to break barriers, fight stereotypes and stigma, but also to convey the strong and courageous voice of survivors of violence not only here in Kosovo, but all over the world. Thank you Vasfije and Shyhrete for turning this pain of Kosovo into an unrelenting message of a call for justice. You have succeeded in demonstrating all over the world that those who thought they could dishonor Kosovo have never succeeded and will never succeed in doing so because you are the heroines, you are the pride, and you are Kosovo’s honor itself. Throughout these 25 years, the KRCT, led by Feride Rushiti, has done something difficult to describe in words in a speech. Therefore, a heartfelt thank you on behalf of all the citizens of Kosovo for becoming a safe house, a place of refuge not only in the physical aspect but above all, in the emotional aspect for countless victims, who found trust in you, they found support and above all, they made sure that they can speak in front of the people of Kosovo, they can speak to the world and they can continue together with each of us our the unstoppable fight for justice. It is work which, as you rightly said, does not have an end on this 25th anniversary, but has only a beginning, because I want to assure you that our support for you will not stop, but will increase, it will continue and we, women and men of Kosovo, but also from all over the world, will fight for this cause, will be more and not less in numbers in each passing year. Throughout these 25 years, we have constantly remembered the pain of the past, but we have also witnessed that despite this pain, there is courage, there is hope and above all, there is an unwavering determination for justice. Unfortunately, as in other countries before the war in Kosovo, even in Milosevic’s genocidal war against our people, sexual violence was used as a weapon, I would say the most cruel weapon known to humanity, to cause pain that would span generations. So, not only our generation that experienced the war but also the generations of our children and the generations that would be born after the war. But, despite everything, history witnessed and our people witnessed an indomitable resilience, an extraordinary endurance. And this was proven through the courage of the survivors to raise their voices. And they showed an eternal truth that our nation has shown over the centuries, that there is no force, no crime, no matter how brutal it is, that can break the spirit of a people seeking freedom. There isn’t one! Hence, today with your presence, you are proving that we must fight so that history does not repeat itself. While we know that it is not enough to simply remember the past, injustices must never go by in silence, and justice, we all know, cannot be achieved without holding the perpetrators accountable for the crimes committed. For this reason, our joint focus should be centered precisely on the fight for justice and we know that this fight for justice is not easy. But this should not at any moment deter us from our common goal to create every day more and more effective mechanisms that support survivors of sexual violence during war. This battle requires persistence, it requires courage and sometimes even extraordinary patience. I am happy that over the years Kosovo has built mechanisms that have shown success, but as Vasfije also said, we must do even more so that every survivor feels the support of the state. We must never remain passive in the face of injustices, even when it occurs in other countries of the world. Therefore, I am proud of the work that Vasfije is doing, as the President’s Special Delegate for sexual violence during the war, and at the same time Shyhretje, also as the President’s representative for transitional justice, who through their stories and the story of Kosovo are support survivors in countries like Ukraine, in countries like Iraq, in different countries on the African continent, in the Middle East and all over the world. In addition, at the global level, Kosovo has become a meeting place through the International Forum for Women, Peace, and Security, where the main focus is precisely our common voice for the prevention of sexual violence during war. And, in all this work, unsparing support has been provided, especially by civil society organizations, starting from KRCT, Medica Kosova, Medica Gjakova, and all other civil society organizations that you see today among us and others that are not here also those from our amicable countries, which together with us continue to raise their voice against this terrible crime. And precisely this genuine cooperation with civil society has managed to turn Kosovo, as I said, into the only country in Europe that has been selected by the Office of Secretary Blinken for the Center of Excellence for Women, Peace, and Security, which will also unite not only our countries in the region, but also beyond, to have even more efficient mechanisms for the prevention and elimination of sexual violence during war. Along with the successes, we must also accept the challenges of our society. In our society, and globally, they remain present, the stigmatization, which then pushes the constant silence among the victims, and the failure to bring criminals to justice are obstacles that we must address and overcome together because our cause is right and our cause is greater than each of us individually. And I know that during this joint traversing, more and more supporters will join us. Therefore, today I invite all of you, including those who follow us through the screen, to remain committed
President Vjosa Osmani received the Ambassador of the United Kingdom Jonathan Hargreaves
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received yesterday the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Kosovo Jonathan Hargreaves, with whom she discussed the latest developments in the country. The importance of the intensification of bilateral cooperation between Kosovo and the United Kingdom, with a focus on the fields of foreign policy, defense and economy was also discussed at the meeting. President Osmani highlighted the significance of further strengthening of mutual relations and continuous coordination in addressing the common challenges.
Madam President: For the third year in a row, the Presidency, together with Jeta-Vita, donated oncology packages to women affected by breast cancer
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani visited the Oncology Clinic today. President Osmani said that for the third year in a row, the Presidency, together with Jeta-Vita, donated oncology packages to women affected by breast cancer. President Osmani’s full post: For the third year in a row, the Presidency, together with Jeta-Vita, donated oncology packages to women affected by breast cancer during #PincOctober 🎀. This month reminds us of the importance of standing together in the fight against breast cancer, raising awareness and offering support to all those women who need us to be with them in this fight. By raising awareness and providing support, we advocate for early detection and ensure that all the women receive the care they deserve.
President Vjosa Osmani received the Head of the EULEX Mission Mr. Giovanni Pietro Barbano
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received today the Head of EULEX Mission, Mr. Giovanni Pietro Barbano. The latest developments in the field of security and the rule of law, with special emphasis in the north and on the border line with Serbia, were discussed at the meeting. President Osmani and the EULEX Head Barbano also discussed the cooperation between the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo and EULEX, within the framework of monitoring, mentoring and advising Eulex mandate. President Osmani reiterated the commitment of the institutions of the Republic to the implementation of law and order, as well as public security all around the country.
President Osmani visited the Local Products Fair in Dragash
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, visited the Local Products Fair in Dragash yesterday. “Yesterday in Dragash, at the Local Products Fair, in support of producers and hard-working livestock farmers”, wrote President Osmani.
President Osmani’s address at the KFOR change of command ceremony
The address of the President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani at the KFOR command change ceremony.
President Osmani received the Commander of the NATO Joint Forces Command in Naples Admiral Stuart B. Munsch
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, received today Admiral Stuart B. Munsch, Commander of the NATO Allied Joint Forces Command in Naples, accompanied by the new KFOR Commander, Major General Enrico Barduani. According to President Osmani, Kosovo remains committed to continuous cooperation with NATO and KFOR in addressing challenges in the field of security. During the discussion, President Osmani expressed her appreciation for the NATO support, for the freedom of Kosovo, as well as for the maintenance of stability and peace in Kosovo. In this context, President Osmani reiterated Kosovo’s strategic objective for its integration into the Euro-Atlantic community, expressing the belief that NATO membership will contribute to the security and stability of the entire region. President Osmani congratulated Major General Barduani on taking office and reconfirmed the commitment to continue cooperation and coordination in the function of peace, stability and security throughout the territory of Kosovo and in the service of all citizens without distinction.
President Osmani received at a farewell meeting the KFOR commander Major General Özkan Ulutaş
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received today at a farewell meeting the KFOR commander, Major General Özkan Ulutaş. During the meeting, President Osmani expressed her gratitude for the dedication of General Ulutaş, in the function of peace and security for all citizens of Kosovo. President Osmani appreciated the continuous contribution provided by KFOR to peace and stability in Kosovo, stressing that the presence of this mission is key to peace and stability. President Osmani also reconfirmed Kosovo’s commitment to close cooperation with KFOR and thanked General Ulutaş for his contribution so far, wishing him success in his future tenure.