Speaker of the Assembly, Albulena Haxhiu, assumed the duty of Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo today
The Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, assumed the duty of Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo today. Acting President Haxhiu stated on this occasion that the constitutional mechanisms that we have built guarantee institutional continuity and stability. “I will exercise this responsibility with full dedication, guaranteeing the uninterrupted functioning of the institutions and respect for the constitutional order,” emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. She further added that the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo will continue the constitutional procedure for the election of the new President within the constitutional deadlines. Until the conclusion of this process, I will exercise this duty in full respect of the Constitution, the law and the public interest. Finally, Acting President Haxhiu thanked President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu for her service to the country and wished her further success.
President Osmani’s address on the occasion of the conclusion of the mandate of the President of the Republic
Dear citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, Honourable diaspora, the force that keeps Kosovo connected to the world! There is no greater honour than to serve the Republic. There is no greater responsibility, but also more noble, than to shoulder the trust of your citizens. Thanks to your commitment to democratic values and perseverance in creating stable institutions, I have had the honor and the great responsibility to ensure that your will and your voice are worthily represented. From day one, I have taken on this task with a clear conviction: that integrity is not negotiable, that the state does not bend, and that the trust of citizens is not wasted. This has been my compass even when the path has not been easy and extremely challenging. Your support has been clear, loud and continuous. I have felt it in every neighbourhood, in every village and city, in every meeting, in every message, and in every opportunity I have had to meet you. That support, above all, was trust. And for this trust, I bow before you with the deepest and eternal gratitude. Because the trust of citizens is the force that gives meaning to every public responsibility. I have turned that trust into loyalty, to you, to the principles of the state, to our common national and democratic values. Loyalty, solely to the Republic of Kosovo, its sovereignty, its independence and the inviolability of its borders. For me, it has always been and it remains essential to protect the interests of the state and our citizens, to connect the difficult history and sacrifice of our people with the vision of the founding father of the Republic, President Rugova, to honor our liberation war and to protect alliances with our security allies who, even 27 years after the war, together with our institutions, still protect our border with Serbia. Protecting the alliance of freedom with the USA, European countries, and all peace-loving countries around the globe has been and remains the stable foundation for peace. I do not move from this vision, because this is the vision of our state, this is the vision of the citizens of my country. Dear citizens, My orientation as your representative has been and remains clear: that of President Rugova: a free, independent, democratic Kosovo, integrated into Euro-Atlantic structures and in permanent alliance with the United States of America. This has not been just a vision; it has been my daily guide. And Kosovo of these five years has been guided every day by this clear strategic orientation. With deep humility, as always, today I honor the heroes, the martyrs of freedom, the martyrs of the Kosovo Liberation Army; all those who were forcibly disappeared by the Serbian genocidal forces; all the survivors of sexual violence during the war and all those who gave everything for this country, because our freedom bears their name and our Republic stands on their sacrifice. These have been the permanence of my actions and the guiding compass of every work, in each day of my commitment to our beloved Republic, always remaining faithful to the principles of our state, now on the last day of the mandate, as on its first day. Because a Kosovo that opens its doors abroad is stronger inside. Because a Kosovo that is heard in the world is always safer at home. At every meeting, every visit, in every conversation with world leaders, I have had a single message: Kosovo is a sovereign, democratic republic, with inviolable borders and determined to contribute to international peace, stability and security, both in our region and beyond, and a state destined for a Euro-Atlantic future. This work has not stopped at any moment. I am deeply proud that we are leaving this institution more respected in the world, with open doors and strengthened alliances. By bringing new recognition to Kosovo; by achieving visa liberalization with the EU and many other countries; by taking concrete steps towards the country’s integration into the EU and the Council of Europe; and also concrete steps towards a future in NATO, by providing strong guarantees for the inviolability of our borders; by building partnerships to strengthen our army; by making Kosovo part of platforms where it had no access before, such as with the historic participation in the NATO Summit, by making it a founding member of the Peace Board; by returning Kosovo to the center of global agendas: from the Agenda for Women, Peace and Security. to the protection of children in the digital world. By significantly advancing relations with other countries, until yesterday hesitant to establish relations with our country; by opening new perspectives of political relations with many other countries all over the globe, in these 5 years, we have proven that even a small state can have a great voice. Because this was our vision from the first day when I was sworn in at the Assembly, but above all, when I swore the oath in front of you: for Kosovo to not only be part of international tables, but also an active contributor to them. Dear citizens, As Supreme Commander of the KSF, I have seen up close the true strength of this country: our people in uniform. Women and men who do not seek applause, but carry our security on their shoulders. But the future requires more than achievement. It also requires vigilance. We live at a time when truth is challenged every day. Where propaganda is dressed up as opinion. Where slander and manipulation tend to replace fact. Therefore, I beg you: do not lose your compass. Because only when the truth is known and defended, manipulation loses its power and the moral compass remains unshakable. In recent weeks, meeting you all over Kosovo, I have seen something that cannot be fabricated: trust that is not easily extinguished. But I have also seen your expectation and demand for more justice, more dignity, a clearer future, and unity around values. And this expectation is
President Vjosa Osmani commemorates the 27th anniversary of the massacre at Vejsa family home
In the basement of the Vejsa family home, 27 years ago, one of the most terrible crimes of the genocidal regime of Serbia took place. 20 innocent lives, women, children and one man, aged 2 to 75, were brutally killed and then burned. The crime against the members of the Vejsa, Caka, Haxhiavdija, Nuqi, Hoxha and Gashi families is not only a painful memory, but evidence of a crime that should never be forgotten. We respectfully remember the victims and are determined that the truth will never fade and justice will be established as soon as possible. May the memory of all those who fell for freedom be eternal!
President Osmani on World Autism Awareness Day: Every child deserves to be heard and supported
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, stated that just like every other year, today as well, we stand side by side with children with autism and their families. President Osmani wrote: Just like every other year, today as well, we stand side by side with children with autism and their families, for more understanding, support and love for every child. Because every child deserves to be heard and supported.
President Osmani: In Lybeniq, Serbian forces massacred even infants in their cradles, pregnant women and immobile elderly persons
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, paid homage on the 27th anniversary of the Lybeniq Massacre. President Osmani wrote: In Lybeniq, Serbian forces massacred even infants in their cradles, pregnant women and immobile elderly persons. It was once again demonstrated that the objective of Serbia’s genocidal regime was the annihilation of our people. Yet, they did not succeed! Today, the families of those killed in Lybeniq, standing between grief and pride, also carry the enduring obligation to safeguard the state built upon sacrifice, as does each of us. Lybeniq remains an open wound in our collective memory, but also a powerful testament to our resilience and to the cost of freedom. Justice for the victims is a moral, human and state obligation. May the glory to the martyrs and fallen heroes of Lybeniq be eternal!
President Osmani awards the Presidential Medal of Merit to the National Team
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, awarded today the Presidential Medal of Merit to the National Team President Osmani wrote: Our National Football Team, with an indomitable heart and spirit, raised Kosovo to the peaks of pride, and today, with the Presidential Medal of Merit they were crowned with the honor and respect of a people that is and will always be proud of them. Despite last night’s result, they gave our entire nation something even more valuable: hope. For this worthy representation, our gratitude to the Dardanian team will live forever.
President Osmani commemorates the massacres in Pastaselë, Rahovec and Burim, in Malishevë
On March 31st 1999, in Pastaselë, Rahovec, 106 innocent civilians were massacred by the Serbian genocidal regime, revealing the dimensions of a cruelty that exceeds all human concepts. It was a deliberate act against the life, dignity and very existence of a nation. 13 people survived to carry on their shoulders the memory and the truth that must never be forgotten. Serbia’s killing machine, on the same day in Burim, Malishevë, brutally executed 42 civilians. Without justice, there is no lasting peace. May the memory of those who fell for freedom be eternal!
Honourable participants, Honourable activists, Families of the heroes of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Associations emerging from the war, Honourable mayors, MP’s, representatives of institutions, personalities who have contributed to the freedom and independence of Kosovo, The homeland is not only the place where we are born, but it is a calling that follows us throughout our lives, a responsibility that requires dedication, sacrifice and willingness to give the best of ourselves each and every day. The Republic of Kosovo is an unbroken stream of generations, of those who gave everything without sparing and those who, even today, shoulder the task of moving our country forward, keeping it alive and making it even stronger. At the heart of this effort lies our freedom itself, not only as an acquired right, but as a deep feeling, immanent to the human being. Here the state takes on meaning, as the highest expression of our common will to live freely, not simply as an institution, but as a common responsibility to live freely. Not simply as an institution but also as a commitment to strengthen it, to make it more just, more sustainable and more worthy of the sacrifice on which it was built. The month of March, in which this ceremony of bestowing of awards is being held, is a heavy bearing month in our history. It is a month of remembrance and reflection, where almost every day brings us back to painful events, to the massacres committed by the Serbian genocidal regime against our people. But at the same time, it is also a month that proves the resilience, resistance and determination to never surrender. It is a month of pride for the bravery and heroism shown by entire generations, so that we today are free, in our independent and democratic state. The awards that are bestowed are, in addition to gratitude, also a testament to sacrifice and courage, a testament to our people, who never bowed, surrendered or gave up on freedom, a testament to the toil, sweat and commitment of entire generations, who gave everything for our beloved state. Therefore, our honor will begin with the heroes of the Kosovo Liberation Army, those who made the highest sacrifice, giving their lives for freedom. They fought for our dignity and for the right to live freely, they are the foundation of our state, so eternal honor belongs to them. But, our freedom was not built only on the battlefield, despite the fact that it was the battlefield that built its foundations. It was also built by many sons and daughters of this country, who worked with knowledge, civic courage and professional dedication, establishing strong pillars on which the progress of our state rests today. Therefore, some of the decorations are dedicated to the contribution to freedom and independence and will be given to those who committed themselves to this state in the most crucial times. Today we will also honor the doyen doctors, who at impossible circumstances saved lives and preserved humanity in inhumane times. We will honour the women leaders, who kept society alive and became the pillar of our resistance by breaking barriers in areas where in the past only men dominated. We will also honor journalists and photojournalists, who documented the truth and showed the world the reality of Kosovo, making our voice heard beyond borders. We honour the activists, at home and abroad, who raised their voices for freedom and justice. In particular, we must appreciate the extraordinary role of our diaspora in the United States of America, in European countries and as far away as Australia, who, with their political, financial and social commitment, kept our cause alive and strongly helped on the path towards freedom and state-building. Today we also honor those who contributed to state-building, professionals, intellectuals and public servants, champions of human rights and fundamental freedoms, who even after the war worked with dedication to building institutions and consolidating our state and making this state a state where everyone feels valued and equal. Their contribution continues today, in strengthening democracy and developing our country. However, we must be clear that there are still many people whose contribution has not been sufficiently recognized. Over the past five years, I have had the honour of bestowing awards to many personalities who were wronged in the past, honouring many sacrifices that were previously forgotten, and bringing attention to many categories of our citizens who have contributed immensely to our country. It was a great honor that I awarded the first medal to Uncle Rifat Jashari, precisely on November 28th 2020, and that we conclude with all of you today, based on the proposals that have come from many of you, including deputies and mayors, as well as based on the assessment by the professional commission. We understand that there are many more personalities who deserve the decoration and who from now on, after April 4, will be reviewed by the next Presidency. Our history is built from many sacrifices, so our duty is to recognize and appreciate them all, because only in this way can we build a just and honest society. And since, so far, I have spoken about many of the personalities who have given their lives, but also their contribution to the freedom and independence of Kosovo, to state-building and to the strengthening of institutions, we must also appreciate those who are giving hope to the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo today. So, regardless of the result of tomorrow’s Kosovo-Turkey match, the national team of the Republic of Kosovo has already made history. Therefore, I have the honor to announce to you that precisely for this immeasurable contribution, for the pride they have given to the country at every moment and for the hope they are giving to this people in the steps forward, The Presidential Medal of Merit immediately after tomorrow’s victory, but as I said, regardless of that result, will also be awarded to the national team of our
Awarding ceremony
President Osmani received the Head of the EULEX Mission, Giovanni Pietro Barbano
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, received today the Head of the EULEX Mission, Giovanni Pietro Barbano. The latest developments in the field of security and the rule of law were discussed at the meeting. President Osmani reiterated the commitment of the institutions to guaranteeing law and order, as well as to advancing democratic standards. The interlocutors also discussed the cooperation between the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo and EULEX Mission, emphasizing the importance of continuous coordination in order to strengthen the rule of law. At the meeting, both parties appreciated the close cooperation towards advancing the agenda for women, peace and security, as well as the implementation of the standards of the Istanbul Convention, in order to protect human rights and empower the role of women in society.