President Osmani commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Izbica massacre
Historical memory is in function of respecting our past, documenting it, as well as building the future. Therefore, today we remember the 25th anniversary of the Izbica massacre, when the Serbian genocidal forces massacred 147 civilians, including the 6-month-old girl, Dafina Qelaj. She and the others were killed in their homes just because they were Albanians. The cruelty in Izbica remains engraved in our memory, bringing to our attention the price of freedom. In an attempt to hide the traces of the crime, the civilian victims of the genocidal regime of Serbia were buried in mass cemeteries in Petrovo Selo in Belgrade, in Novolan and in Bistrica. We will always keep the memory of Izbica and all the massacres all over Kosovo alive as a testimony to the difficult path we went through and as a permanent request for justice. May the memory of the 147 killed in Izbica never be forgotten!
President Osmani received the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates Nabila Abdulaziz Al Shamsi
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, received today the non-resident ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Kosovo Nabila Abdulaziz Al Shamsi, with the latest developments as well as the bilateral relations between Kosovo and the United Arab Emirates being the subjects of the discussions. At the meeting with Ambassador Al Shamsi, President Osmani emphasized that the United Arab Emirates remains Kosovo’s partner and constant supporter. In this context, President Osmani reiterated the importance of the already completed visa waiver process for the citizens of both countries, as a step forward towards further expansion of interstate cooperation. With Ambassador Al Shamsi, President Osmani also discussed a number of issues in the field of bilateral cooperation, this year’s edition of the International Forum for Women, Peace and Security and other issues of mutual interest. In this spirit, President Osmani thanked the United Arab Emirates for the support in many fields, with healthcare receiving a special emphasis.
President Osmani received the member of the German Bundestag Mr. Florian Hahn
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received today the member and spokesperson for the Defense Policy of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group in the German Bundestag Mr. Florian Hahn, accompanied by the German ambassador to Kosovo Jorn Rohde. The current political and security situation in the country were discussed at the meeting. President Osmani expressed her gratitude and great appreciation for the continuous support of the amicable state of Germany in all the processes that our country and people have gone through, as well as the support for our goals towards Euro-Atlantic integration. Furthermore, Madam President emphasized the need to expand cooperation with Germany in the field of defense and security, as well as the unified stance against destabilizing tendencies towards Kosovo, but also in the region and beyond. According to the President, Kosovo is strongly committed to its Euro-Atlantic integration path with a clear goal of membership in the EU and NATO. Regarding Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe, President Osmani emphasized that membership is in the interest of all citizens without distinction and that this issue has to do with human rights and freedoms.
The President: We will continue to work with allies for full membership in the Council of Europe
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, has reacted after the approval of the Report in the Committee for Foreign Policy and Democracy, for Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe. “Another step forward. Following the approval of the Report by the Committee for Foreign Policy and Democracy, Kosovo’s accession to the Council of Europe will now proceed to the Parliamentary Assembly. We’ll continue to work with allies to ensure that all our citizens get their rightful access to CoE instruments through Kosovo’s full membership”, wrote President Osmani.
President Osmani commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Massacre in the “Dardania” neighborhood of Peja
The brutality of the Serbian genocidal regime during the month of March 1999 touched different parts of Kosovo. On March 27th of that year, in the “Dardania” neighborhood of Peja, 40 men, women and children were barbarically executed. The extermination of the Albanian people of Kosovo and ethnic cleansing were the goals of the Serbian criminal regime at all the places where the massacres were carried out throughout the territory of Kosovo. On this anniversary, we sympathise with their families and reaffirm our commitment to justice and truth. May the memory of the 40 killed in the “Dardania” neighborhood be eternal!
The President: The history of Mother Ferdonije should serve as a reminder of our somber history but also of the responsibility to not cease in the demand for justice and in defense of the truth
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osman, said that 25 years ago, Mother Ferdonije Çerkezi had her last meeting with her four sons and her husband, who were forcibly abducted by the forces of the Serbian genocidal regime. The remains of the two boys have been found, while the wait for the clarification of the fate of the two boys and of her husband has not yet ended. President Osmani’s full post: Her house is now a museum. The dishes on the table have become the personification of waiting for the sons and husband of Mother Ferdonije Çerkezi, who for 25 years has joined pain with awaiting. At 11:00, 25 years ago, she had her last meeting with her four sons and her husband, whom the forces of the Serbian genocidal regime forcibly abducted. The remains of the two boys have been found, while the wait for the clarification of the fate of the two boys and of her husband has not yet ended. Since then, the wait has weighed on her, but the stoic Mother has not given up hope. The story of Mother Ferdonije should serve as a reminder of our sombre history, but also of the responsibility to not cease in the demand for justice and in defense of the truth.
President Osmani met the French special envoy for the Western Balkans René Troccaz
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani received today the special envoy of the French Republic for the Western Balkans, René Troccaz. The cooperation between Kosovo and France, the latest developments as well as Kosovo’s membership in the Euro-Atlantic institutions were discussed at the meeting. President Osmani welcomed the opening of the French Institute in Prishtina, emphasizing the vital importance of this institute in strengthening the ties between the two countries, through the promotion of joint values and the expansion of mutual understanding through language and culture. Developments in the field of security were also discussed, with Madam President expressing Kosovo’s commitment to continuous cooperation with France. President Osmani and Mr. Troccaz also discussed Kosovo’s efforts for membership in the Euro-Atlantic institutions, with emphasis on the importance of France’s continued support.
President Vjosa Osmani’s address at the commemorative ceremony of the 25th anniversary of the Krushë e Madhe Massacre
Dear families of Krusha e Madhe, Honourable Mayor Latifi, Honourable Ambassadors, Ambassador of the United States, Ambassador of Germany, Ambassador of Albania, Honourable President Sejdiu, Honourable Minister Haxhiu, Honourable Village Mayor, Mr. Hoti, Honourable Representatives of Organizations Emerging from the KLA War, Honourable Chairmen of Political Parties, Deputies of the Kosovo Assembly, Representatives of the Security Force and Other Institutions, Representatives of the Religious Clergy, Dear Family Members, Honourable Participants, Today we all gathered here together, to remember an atrocity that occurred here 25 years ago, when the genocidal regime of Serbia came to Krusha e Madhe and the surrounding villages and brutally executed hundreds of men and boys, many children and women, including pregnant women. Today, we are here to once again raise our voices for the bringing to light of the fate of the forcibly disappeared, among whom are over 60 residents of Krusha e Madhe, who are still among the missing, and are found in the mass graves of Serbia. Today, we are also here to remember the extraordinary intellectual and activist Ukshin Hoti, who is also among the forcibly disappeared. Above all, today we are here to institutionalize our collective memory, for one of the most terrible massacres of the war of 1999. The Museum of Atrocities is a testament to one of the darkest chapters of our history from the last war. This Museum is in the function of shaping our collective memory, honouring the victims, and above all in the function of our common call for justice, which is still missing. The importance of such a Museum is extraordinary. By shedding light on the dark events of our past, we ensure that the voices of the victims are never silenced, and are never forgotten in our history. We must not forget the path we have travelled, but we must learn from the past in order to achieve a brighter future and lasting peace. And it was precisely at the forefront of this mission that the people of Krusha were. When we hear the voices of the children around us, when we see the iconic woman personified in Fahrije Hoti and all the women of Krusha, when we see how this village was reborn, we see that they did not succeed in their mission of exterminating the Albanian people. Therefore, within the space of this Museum, the stories of each of the victims are preserved, not only for our generation, but also for all the generations that will come after us. In remembering the victims of atrocities, we honour their lives, we honour their dignity, and above all their sacrifice. The families of these victims need justice. Kosovo needs justice. Because this is the fundamental principle upon which every society must function, and without which peace is never just. This Museum personifies our unwavering determination, the resilience of the human spirit in the face of such unimaginable tragedies. The voices of the victims still ring out. They demand recognition of their suffering, honour and remembrance. With this Museum we are doing exactly that, not only on anniversaries, but every day. From today, this Museum will be in daily use, for all those who want to learn about the horrific crimes that Serbia committed against the citizens of Kosovo, and above all, to get to know the truth. This Museum, as well as our freedom, are the result of the sacrifice of our people for freedom, but also the result of the support of our precious allies. As Mayor Latifi said, in addition to the work of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo to build this Museum, the United States of America has also supported us. Therefore, thank you for supporting us in preserving our collective memory. Honourable participants, The Museum of Atrocities and Massacres of Krushë e Madhe should serve as a memory not only for the families of the victims, not only for Kosovo, but as a memory for all humanity. This Museum is our painful history, but I hope that it will not be the history of tomorrow for anyone, in any country in the world. Today we are inaugurating the Museum that is not only a memory for the victims, but is also a guardian of the truth for the generations that will come after us. This is because the Museum is proof of our collective determination to protect the truth of our liberation war at all costs, to protect our dignity, and to protect our country. The war crimes and genocide that aimed to exterminate the Albanian people of Kosovo by the Milosevic regime never get old, so we never stop demanding that the perpetrators be brought to justice. We bow before the sacrifice of all the victims, before the selflessness and courage of all the sons and daughters of the KLA, who, supported by the North Atlantic Alliance, led by the USA, made possible the realization of the dream of many generations for freedom. In the renewed Krushë, we must keep the story of the truth alive forever. The museum of these atrocities against the people of Krusha must inspire us to strive for a world where such atrocities are never allowed to happen again! As the Museum will serve our collective memory, we will serve the eternal memory of all the victims, of all the heroes of the KLA and the maintenance of the freedom of the state and the alliances that have always stood by us! Thank you! Glory to all the heroes, all the fallen and freedom martyrs!
The President: Krusha e Madhe – a symbol of Kosovo’s pain and truth
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani participated at the commemorative gathering on the 25th anniversary of the Massacre in Krushë e Madhe. Madam President’s full post: Krusha e Madhe – a symbol of Kosovo’s pain and truth. From today, this pain and truth will be portrayed in the Museum, with the accounts of the survivors of the massacre and the family members of the victims and those who are forcibly disappeared. Glory to all those who fell for freedom!
The President: 25 years ago, 46 members of the Berisha family in Suharekë were massacred on the doorstep of their house
25 years ago, 46 members of the Berisha family in Suharekë were massacred on the doorstep of their home by the forces of the Serbian genocidal regime. Even more severe is the pain arising from the unsolved fate of some of the members of the Berisha family. Vjollca with her son Gramoz and Shyhrete escaped, and are a true evidence of the brutality of the Serbian criminal regime perpetrated during this massacre. In search of justice and in respect for victims and families, we will never remain silent. Justice for the victims and bringing to light the fate of the forcibly disappeared are a continuous toil of ours!