President Vjosa Osmani’s address at the inauguration ceremony of the “Ukë Bytyçi” House of Culture in Suharekë
Thank you very much for this warm hospitality that we always find in Suhareka, we always find it in Theranda, dear citizens. And, there is no better sight than the one of the children we have here sitting in the front row! Congratulations to everyone! Congratulations, dear citizens of Suhareka and all of Kosovo, this house of culture, and on this I agree with the Mayor, is also proof of the beautiful things that are achieved when we all join our forces. Honorable Prime Minister Kurti, Honorable Mayor Muharremaj, Honorable Mrs. Bytyçi, dear Kimete and all of you family members of the freedom fighter, the independence fighter, the former Mayor, Ukë Bytyçi, truly a well-deserved name, truly a well-deserved name! And, what a pride to see his grandson, the young Ukë Bytyçi here among us today, to continue his grandfather’s path together with all of you! Honourable former Prime Minister Haradinaj, Mayors of municipalities from Albania, Mayor of Preshevë, Representatives of the Government, of course Minister Çeku, Deputies, Deputy Mayors, Former Mayors of Suhareka, Dear citizens, I am truly very happy that today in Suhareka such a magnificent project is bringing us together, a project dedicated to culture. Because culture is truly the mirror of a nation. It best reflects our past, tells history, but above all, shapes the future. Through art, music, theatre, literature, sports, culture always has the power to unite us, but also to promote our state beyond borders. For Kosovo, the role of culture has always been vital. During the time of captivity, you know how culture, art and sports kept us alive. During the war, it gave us motivation, and after the war, it gave us a sense of national identity. Today, when we are an independent and sovereign state, alongside sports, culture is our best ambassador in the world. It speaks the universal language of humanity – a language that truly needs no translation, just as the extraordinary voices of the girls we heard singing today did not need translation. Today, culture speaks a universal language and shows the extraordinary potential of our young people. Therefore, in this wonderful facility, which also demonstrates cooperation between the central and local levels, the opportunities for cultural activities will increase not only for the Municipality of Suhareka, but for all of Kosovo. Whatever we invest today in culture, respectively in improving infrastructure, will be returned to the municipalities and our state tomorrow as a benefit in the near future. Therefore, the opening of the House of Culture, named after the freedom and independence fighter, the first post war mayor of Suhareka Ukë Bytyçi, marks the beginning of a transformative journey for your municipality. In this House of Culture, our past, which is personified by the life and work of Ukë Bytyçi, will be wonderfully intertwined with our present and future, represented by these extraordinary children sitting in the front row today. But this House of Culture will not only be a centre for cultural activities and arts, but also a place where the artists of tomorrow are produced, artists who will continue to brighten the face of Kosovo, as many ambassadors of art and culture have done so far. Here, creativity will be encouraged, talents will be produced, all communities will be inspired and together they will promote our Kosovo on the global stage. The future of Kosovo is truly bright when such projects are supported, and the potential for success is extraordinary, and it lies in each artist of our country. With this house of culture, the right conditions have been created for a generation of artists who will not only elevate our country, but will also inspire future generations. Kosovo has already taken its place on the global cultural map, which is why centres like this are the key. By opening the doors of such cultural houses, presenting culture and sports and showcasing them around the world, we not only keep it alive, but also affirm our country and the potential of our extraordinary youth. Therefore, let’s continue joint investments in our cultural centres and beyond, empowering them to promote the culture of Kosovo, to bring the world closer to us, as well as our cultural values closer to the world! Suhareka, Kosovo, let’s enjoy the new House of Culture together! Good luck to you, may you have only successes ahead! Thank you!
President Osmani met the German Minister of State Anna Lührmann
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, received today the Minister of State for Europe and Climate of the Federal Republic of Germany, Ms. Anna Lührmann. The overcoming of common challenges, the importance of Kosovo-Germany cooperation, as well as German support for the Euro-Atlantic integration of our country, were issues discussed at the meeting. President Osmani emphasized the importance of lifting of the EU measures against Kosovo, which are unfairly affecting the country’s citizens the most. The Berlin Process was discussed as well at the meeting, with President Osmani reiterating her full support for the agreements stemming from this process. President Osmani, on the eve of the official launch of the Regional Center for Women, Peace and Security, potentiated the importance of increasing the partnership with Germany in joint initiatives aimed at further advancement of the Agenda for Women, Peace and Security.
President Osmani received the Head of the Islamic Community of Kosovo Naim Tërnava
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, received the Head of the Islamic Community of Kosovo, Naim Tërnava. Islamic Community engagements to the strengthening of Kosovo’s international position, the tradition of interreligious tolerance and the need to continue its nurture were discussed at the meeting. President Osmani expressed her deep appreciation for the efforts of the Islamic Community of Kosovo (BIK) for dialogue, understanding and unity between all religious communities in Kosovo. “At a time when global peace and understanding are more important than ever, Kosovo is proud to continue to maintain a high level of interreligious tolerance and harmony,” said President Osmani. The vital role of all religious communities and the need for a joint engagement against the language of hatred and in favor of tolerance, understanding and mutual respect were potentiated at the meeting.
President Osmani received the French ambassador Olivier Guérot
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received today the Ambassador of the French Republic to Kosovo Olivier Guérot. The latest developments in the field of security in the country, bilateral cooperation in various fields of common interest between Kosovo and France, as well as Kosovo’s presence in international mechanisms were discussed at the meeting.
President Osmani following the acceptance of the M100 Award: Democracy, the rule of law and integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures are our guides on our way forward
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, has accepted the M100 Sanssouci Colloquium international forum award. President Osmani’s full post: Honour and gratitude. Democracy, the rule of law, the integration of the Republic of Kosovo into the Euro-Atlantic structure are, and will always remain, guides on our way forward. For the people of Kosovo, today and always!
The President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani is honored with an international award for human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
President Osmani’s address at the acceptance ceremony of the M100 Award for commitment to Euro-Atlantic values, freedom and democracy
Thank you so much, what an honor! What an honor for the people of Kosovo first and foremost. Dear Lord Mayor of Potsdam, Mike Schubert, thank you for having us; Dear M100 CEO, Moritz van Dülmen; Dear Minister Bodnar; Honorable Former President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Joachim Gauck; Dear Minister Scharping, thank you so much the great honor through your very very kind introduction; Dear Members of the Jury of the M100 Media Award, Journalists and media representatives, Members of the civil society, Esteemed guests, Ladies and gentlemen, Guten Abend und vielen herzlichen Dank! I am so sorry that I cannot deliver my speech in German, but I promise that I will try. But being President and learning foreign languages, unfortunately, a little difficult at this time. Standing before you today – and seeing so many champions of democracy in this historic city of Potsdam is a profound honor; one that truly humbles me deeply. So thank you from the bottom of my heart, once again. Last night, I read a line from a book I was gifted just yesterday in Warsaw. It said: “Every generation of children, offers mankind anew the possibility of rebuilding his ruin of a world.” It reminded me that the current generation of children in Kosovo, my children, our children, are the very first generation in our nation’s history to grow up without a war. The very first generation. And we must ensure, we must jointly ensure, that they never get to know the opposite of peace, that they never get know the opposite of democracy. We must ensure that they never have to go through what we had to go through. Just two years ago, I was sitting in the audience of the M100 Award ceremony, watching as you were awarding the M100 award to the people of Ukraine. Beforehand, a video was played. One depicting the pain, the suffering, the destruction of innocent people and the destruction of their ancestral homes, but also showing the courage, the determination and the resilience of Ukrainians to fight for their freedom and democracy, with whatever it takes. But as it happens with everyone coming from Kosovo, when we watch these videos from Ukraine, or elsewhere, where conflict is happening, it is not just a distant feeling or about some abstract notions of international law norms and the necessity to defend them. It is so much more than that. For us, it is a horror relived, a pain felt over and over again, a wound just too deep, but one that has never stopped us from becoming survivors who thrive. We were in their place, we were in their shoes, we saw the destruction and we lived the suffering, and we saw what the opposite of democracy brings, which is why today we are so committed, so unwavering and so determined to fight every fight and to pay any price to ensure the survival of democracy and its success. The people of Kosovo will always be champions of democracy — because we know, very well what it means to live without it. And that is not the world we want. Our mission, in this lifetime, is to ensure that it is not the world our children will inherit. So, I stand before you today, to ask you to work side by side to make sure that this generation of children in Kosovo will live the promise of peace; the promise of peace and democracy and strive toward a better world for all of us. In this endeavor, the value of our closest allies and partners is indispensable. Kosovo has learned first-hand the transformative and existential power of strong alliances build on values. We are who we are today because, in 1999, Germany, alongside other NATO allies, came together in support of our liberation struggle to end Milosevic’s genocidal regime. On the 24th of March 1999, the Bundeswehr aircrafts joined the NATO to halt the suffering and the destruction that was then unfolding in Kosovo. Minister Scharping, what else can depict what we were going through, better then the words in your own book: “Wir dürfen nicht vergessen”- “We Must Not Forget”. And we will never forget. We will always remember, because how can we not? How can we not? We are a generation of children that grew up in an apartheid like-system that went on to become a genocidal war against our very own existence. So that decision in 1999, from people like you and because of courageous journalists like many of you, who dared to tell and defend the truth; that decision marked a decisive turning point in Germany’s foreign policy but it was also a decisive turning point in the history of the North Atlantic Alliance itself. But for us, for those of us in the ground, watching you above, coming to save our lives; for us it meant so much more, it meant that we were being saved, it meant that finally we can exist. Today, in that very spirit, German soldiers continue to serve in Kosovo proudly carrying the legacy of united action in defense of enduring peace and security. For that, I want to thank, on behalf of all the people of Kosovo over 50.000 German soldiers who have served in Kosovo since 1999, including our very esteemed Lord Mayor of Potsdam, Mr. Schubert, who came to serve for peace and security and make sure that we never go back. You’ve put your lives on the line to defend what we have jointly achieved. You’ve risked everything so that finally we can have a chance for peace, so we humbly thank you all for your service. This engagement is not only crucial for Kosovo and for peace in our region; it was equally strategic for the European continent, and for the global democratic community at large. So, when I speak of Kosovo’s ambitions to join the European Union and NATO, I see
The President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani is honored with an international award for human rights, democracy and the rule of law
Madam President: In Germany, our friendly country and the country with our largest diaspora, to accept the M100 Award
The President of the Republic of Kosovo,Vjosa Osmani, said that the M100 Award is an encouragement to continue the way forward, for the Euro-Atlantic perspective of Kosovo and for a better future for our citizens. President Osmani’s full post: In Germany, our friendly country and the country with our largest diaspora, to accept the M100 Award for commitment to Euro-Atlantic values, freedom and democracy. This award is an encouragement to continue the way forward, for the Euro-Atlantic perspective of Kosovo and for a better future for our citizens.
President Osmani travelled to Germany to receive the award bestowed by the M100 Sanssouci Colloquium forum
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, travelled to Germany to receive the award bestowed by the international forum M100 Sanssouci Colloquium, which is held once a year since 2005 in the city of Potsdam. The nomination of President Osmani was made by the Forum jury with complete unanimity of all jury members and she is the first leader from the Balkans to be honoured with this award. In the announcement made by the Jury, it is said that President Osmani was awarded the M100 Award, for her commitment to Euro-Atlantic values and for her hard work in reforms, strengthening of democracy, the pro-European course, the fight against corruption, as well as for equality and women’s rights. Rudolph Scharping, the former German defense minister serving in this position during the war in Kosovo, will deliver the laudation for President Osmani. This award is bestowed on personalities who are dedicated to strengthening of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and European values. In addition to President Osmani, the Prime Minister of Poland Mr. Donald Tusk is a co-laureate of this award, while various European personalities, including presidents and prime ministers, have also competed for this title. This international forum is chaired by the mayor of the city of Potsdam, Mike Schubert. To date, various European personalities have been honoured with this award, among others being: Hans-Dietrich Genscher, Bernard Kouchner, Mario Draghi, Vitali Klitschko, Alexei Navalny, the Ukrainian people and the Movement for the Freedom of Life of Iranian Women.