Acting President Haxhiu: without political dialogue, especially on the issue of the President, there is no solution on moving forward
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, said that the February 2025 elections were the last regular elections after a full governing mandat “After these were those of December 28 of that same year, and then those of June 7 of this year. Both of these elections were unnecessary and harmful, both for the citizens and for the budget of the Republic. Above all, all of these elections proved similar electoral results,” emphasized the Acting President. She further said that three consecutive electoral processes with approximate results are ample evidence that without political dialogue, especially on the issue of the President, there is no solution on moving forward. “If in the winter and spring of this year the request and complaint was to discuss in advance before each constitution of institutions, regardless of the result, now is the moment, the opportunity and the necessity to implement this. Let us start not from what we can easily do, but from what is really the knot that is constantly leading us to elections: the issue of the President”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. In these circumstances, she said, although it is the third step in formal terms, the issue of the President, in our case, is the first step we should start from. According to her, it is evident that without an agreement, the path is paved for a new electoral process, which will practically not bring anything new, much less a solution. “Based on these facts and the experience of these two years, with the will to find a political consensus, I have invited the leaders of all parliamentary political entities. Allow me to express my complete regret that despite my sincere invitation, political entities such as PDK and AAK refused the same. I consider this refusal a wrong, reckless act and above all a lack of will to overcome barricading positions. Such positions do not help anyone, much less our Republic”, stated Acting President Haxhiu. Acting President Haxhiu emphasized that the citizens of the country are constantly speaking clearly through elections, and it is our duty as their representatives and as leaders of political parties and institutions to implement it in practice. “Kosovo needs a lot of work. Elections should be the last option, maybe not an option at all. I remain hopeful that by Tuesday we will have reflection and the meeting will be as useful as possible towards finding a solution,” said Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu commemorated Hasan Prishtina on the 93rd anniversary of his assassination
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, on the 93rd anniversary of his assassination, commemorated Hasan Prishtina, one of the figures who gave political direction to the Albanian national movement at the beginning of the 20th century. “I am ready to give my life for this homeland at any time,” said Hasan Prishtina in the Ottoman Parliament, in December 1910, while speaking on violence against Albanians, the closure of Albanian schools and repression in Kosovo,” said Acting President Haxhiu. She further added that two years later, he led the 1912 Uprising, turning the demands of Albanians into a political program and into action. “After 1912, he dedicated most of his activity to Kosovo and the Albanians who remained outside the borders of the Albanian state. He was among the leaders of the “Kosovo National Defense” Committee and, even when he took on high responsibilities in Albania, Kosovo remained at the center of his political commitment. Hasan Prishtina was assassinated in Thessaloniki, on August 13, 1933, by Ibrahim Çelo. He left behind more than two decades of political engagements for Kosovo and for the rights of Albanians,” emphasized Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu: Green Fest has been giving the city music, art, ideas and new reasons to come together for many years
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, participated tonight at the opening of the “Green Fest” festival in Mitrovica. In her address to the participants, Acting President Haxhiu said: “I am glad to be with you tonight at Green Fest, right here in Mitrovica, which is known to many as the city of miners.” “But, before it became a city of miners, Mitrovica was a city of meeting points. Here, where the Ibër and Sitnica rivers meet, trade routes intersected and later were joined by the railway that connected the city of Mitrovica with many other places,” said Acting President Haxhiu. She further added that with the establishment of Trepça, miners, engineers and families from different parts of Kosovo, but also beyond, came, and they brought with them their language, customs, music, but also their experiences. “From this movement, a city with a rich urban life was born, with cinema, theater, jazz and rock music, with artists and writers who left an indelible mark on our culture. I believe that Green Fest also belongs to this tradition of Mitrovica. For 16 years, it has brought together music, art, young people, ideas and conversations about the city of Mitrovica itself. During all these years, Green Fest has constantly returned to what is closest to Mitrovica, to the rivers that run through the city, to the lands, to the consequences that industry has left and this year to biodiversity”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. She also said that these are things that are in front of our eyes every day and perhaps we do not see them enough. According to her, precisely when we talk about biodiversity, we are talking about everything that surrounds us, about plants, about birds, fish, insects, about water, about the land, which enable them to live, but also about the connections between them. “Often nature is lost little by little, without us noticing. A river can flow as before, while within it there is less and less life. Therefore, biodiversity is also a political issue. The state of water, land and air cannot depend only on the care of each of us, but for them we need accurate data, control, strict and concrete measures and responsibility as well from institutions”, said Acting President Haxhiu. She further said that in nature no species survives alone, adding that, at the end of the day, biodiversity is also a story of coexistence. “And in Mitrovica, this word is related to the very history of this city. For many years, differences have become borders and people have become accustomed to seeing the city from different sides. But, Mitrovica has been a city where rivers, work, knowledge, but also culture have met. This is the Mitrovica that we should remember more often and bring to the fore again”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. She further said that Kosovo institutions are working every day for Mitrovica. “Culture is also returning to the spaces that belong to it. The ‘Muharrem Qena’ theater has been renovated, the ‘Adem Jashari’ stadium is being rebuilt, while the house of the famous Mitrovica poet Latif Berisha will be transformed into a museum. But the city is not only made up of roads, bridges, schools or theaters, it is also made up of the people who fill them with life, artists, musicians, organizers, young men and women, all those who for years have been creating spaces where Mitrovica meets itself, but also with others”, said Acting President Haxhiu. In the end, Acting President Haxhiu said that Green Fest has been giving the city music, art, ideas and new reasons to come together for many years, and perhaps this is precisely how Mitrovica is slowly emerging from the shadow of division, creating more and more things that unite us.
Acting President Haxhiu on International Youth Day: Kosovo needs your energy, creativity, knowledge, but also your courage
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, on International Youth Day, hosted a group of young people at the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo. Acting President Haxhiu, addressing the attendees, said that I want you to see this day not only as just a visit to the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, but also as an opportunity to bring your voice, energy, ideas and vision to a place where decisions are made that directly affect the lives of the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo. “Today, all you here are from different fields and profiles, but you are united by one very important thing: each of you has chosen to do something, to create something or to build something. Some of you write codes and build applications, some deal in music, theater, some in film, some train every day to compete and represent our Republic. While, some others have started a small business, with few resources but with a lot of work, with a lot of courage and with a lot of faith in what you do. There are also those of you who study, research, debate, on issues related not only to your future, but also to the future of the Republic of Kosovo”, said Acting President Haxhiu. Meanwhile, for those who have come from abroad, Acting President Haxhiu said that this shows that distance does not diminish the connection with Kosovo. “On the contrary, many of you carry Kosovo with you wherever you go through your work, your success, your language, your culture, but also the contribution you make. Each of you has a unique story and a different path, but you all have something in common: you have everything you can give to the country. And, precisely for this reason, your presence today in an important institution like the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo is very important. Today you will present your work, your talent and your successes before us, and it is a great pleasure for us to see you and listen to you attentively”, affirmed Acting President Haxhiu. According to her, beyond today’s presentations, it is important that the voice of young people is heard even when this day ends. “We know that you don’t always find the space and opportunities you need, that many good ideas wait a long time for an opportunity, and that often the path to success is harder than it needs to be. However, I encourage you to continue, to continue to learn, work, create, compete and build, because I am very convinced of your potential and the belief you have in yourself. And this is exactly what we should see as a society and as institutions, not only the potential of young people but also our responsibility to create the opportunity for them to turn this potential into success”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. She further said that the Republic of Kosovo was built by generations that gave much for the freedom and right that we today build our lives on in a free and independent country. “Your generation has a duty to make this freedom a real opportunity for every young person who wants to learn, work, create and build their future here. Our commitment must be to a Kosovo where a young man or woman can have a good education, honest work and the opportunity to move forward without having to leave the country to fulfill themselves. A Kosovo where work and talent have weight, where merit is appreciated and where justice applies equally to everyone”, said Acting President Haxhiu. Acting President Haxhiu encouraged them not to give up on their ideas even when the path ahead seems difficult. “Do not be afraid, demand more from institutions, from society and from yourself. Kosovo needs your energy, your creativity, your knowledge, but also your courage. I thank you for being here today at the Assembly, but above all I thank you for what you give to our Republic every day! Where you live, where you learn, where you create, where you compete but also where you work”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu received the US Senator Joni Ernst: In recognition of her engagement over the years, I bestowed on Senator Ernst the Presidential Medal of Merit
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, received today the US Senator Joni Ernst. Acting President Haxhiu said that Senator Ernst is a proven friend of Kosovo and an important voice in support of the partnership between the Republic of Kosovo and the United States of America. Acting President Haxhiu and Senator Ernst discussed current political developments in Kosovo, security issues and the importance of continuing close cooperation with the United States. “In recognition of her engagement over the years, I bestowed on Senator Ernst the Presidential Medal of Merit, for her valuable contribution to the strengthening of the Kosovo-US partnership and supporting the development of the defense capacities of the Republic of Kosovo,” said Acting President Haxhiu. The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, said that Kosovo will continue to build its future alongside the United States, strengthening a partnership that has special strategic and historical importance for our country.
Acting President Haxhiu’s address at the 9th Ambassadors’ Conference
Honorable Prime Minister, Mr. Albin Kurti, Honorable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Glauk Konjufca, Honorable Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Prime Minister Damka, Honorable Ambassadors and Heads of Missions of the Republic of Kosovo, Honorable Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Honorable Guests, Honorable Media, Such meetings undoubtedly provide us with the opportunity to step away, even for a moment, from the daily rhythm of diplomacy and see our foreign policy in a broader perspective. This is especially necessary today, when many of the principles on which the international order of recent decades is based are being questioned. The relations between great powers are changing, while the economy, technology and security have become part of the same race for influence. Multilateral institutions, built on the belief that rules can limit power, are increasingly faced with cases where power is the one that tries to define the rules. In this reality, the way in which states build and exercise their influence in international relations is of particular importance. Alliances, partnerships and institutions are not only tools through which states pursue their interests, but also important sources of international influence. For many years, our diplomacy has rightly focused on the support that Kosovo required: on recognition, membership in international organizations, votes and political support. But relations between states last only when, beyond the next request, both sides have reasons to maintain and develop that relationship. Therefore, the task is to find those points where our interests coincide, where Kosovo has something to offer and where cooperation is in the interest of both parties. In less than two decades of statehood, Kosovo has managed to build an international position that once seemed much more distant. Today, 121 countries recognize us, while new recognitions over the past year have shown that this process is not over and that positions held for years can change. Non-recognitions are not a single political category. Spain does not have the same history as Greece, Greece does not have the same interests as Slovakia, and none of them see Kosovo in the same way as a country in Latin America or Asia. If we want to change a position, we must first understand what concerns them, what interests they have, and what argument might make sense to them. Diplomacy begins when, before we speak, we try to understand the other side and understand the reasons for their positions. In this regard, we have strong legal support: the International Court of Justice has found that Kosovo’s declaration of independence did not violate international law. We must use this argument, but of course we will not remain limited to it. Eighteen years after independence, we have the opportunity to speak to states that do not yet recognize us about the Kosovo we have built and what we can do together. Kosovo has applied for membership in the European Union and continues to wait for this process to move forward. At the same time, we have chosen unequivocally to remain in line with the European Union’s foreign and security policy. Our Euro-Atlantic orientation is clear, but a rules-based order is only credible if the rules apply equally even when their implementation is politically difficult. If the countries of the Western Balkans are invited to meet the integration criteria, then progress should depend on the criteria and not on obstacles that a country cannot solve through its own reforms. This should be part of our argument in every European capital. The Parliamentary Assembly has supported Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe. We now wait for the process to be completed and for our citizens to gain full access to European mechanisms for the protection of their rights and freedoms. NATO, meanwhile, is part of our security history and the future we aim for as a state. For Kosovo, the connection with the Alliance began in 1999 and continues today with the presence of KFOR and the cooperation that our institutions have built with allied countries. The relationship with the United States of America has been crucial for Kosovo and our shared history remains a strong bond. However, we must say that the generation of American politicians who directly experienced Kosovo in the nineties is shrinking. New generations are entering Congress, the administration, the media and the institutions where American foreign policy is formed. Many of them do not have Kosovo as part of their personal political memory. In this endeavor, we can rely much more on the diaspora. Albanians in the United States and Europe have long played an important role for Kosovo, but now we have a generation that has created a name and connections in universities, institutions, businesses, but also in various professions. We must work more closely with them and use the knowledge, experience, but also the contacts they have created in the countries where they live and operate. Honorable Ambassadors, Relations with Serbia, as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Konjufca mentioned, remain one of the main challenges of our Republic’s foreign policy. Serbia must bear responsibility for the terrorist attack in Banjska, for the attacks on KFOR members, journalists, other citizens, for the surrender of the terrorist leader Milan Radoicic and others involved in this terrorist attack, but also for clarifying the fate of over 1,500 persons who disappeared by force during the war in Kosovo. Addressing these issues is a necessary part of any process that aims for a genuine and sustainable normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. This responsibility becomes even more sensitive in light of the developments of recent days. In Zubin Potok, at the locations of Kalludër e Vogël and Jabukë, mortal remains suspected of belonging to victims of the 1998–1999 war have been found, while our institutions are also working on a third location suspected of being a mass grave. For our diplomats, this should be an ongoing issue of communication with the governments and institutions of the countries where they serve: our partners should know that even
Acting President Haxhiu hosted a reception for Kosovo ambassadors and consuls currently on mission in various capitals of the world
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, accompanied by the Prime Minister in office, Albin Kurti, and the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Glauk Konjufca, hosted tonight Kosovo ambassadors and consuls currently on mission in various capitals of the world. In her address to the participants, Acting President Haxhiu said that each of you serves in a different political environment and sees closely how interests and alliances change. “What worries Washington is not always what worries Brussels, Ankara or any other capital. Many of the distinctions that once helped us understand the world are becoming less clear. Allies disagree, rivals cooperate where it is convenient, and interests often outweigh divisions we have taken for granted. And precisely when things change so quickly, diplomacy requires the patience to work even when the result is not immediately visible. It is said that “there is nothing dramatic in the success of a diplomat”, because those small advances that, at first glance, may seem completely insignificant: a conversation at the right time, a relationship carefully maintained, the insistence on returning to an issue that is not resolved the first time. I believe you know this part of the job very well. Your work rarely makes the news, but often it is precisely there that things that later become important begin”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. She further said that Kosovo is still at that stage of its history when many things abroad have to be earned through hard work. According to Acting President Haxhiu, there are countries where our name is well known and where we have friends who have been with us for years, adding further that there are also countries where we still have to explain who we are, what we want and why our issues deserve attention. “This makes your work different from that of diplomats from countries with a much longer state history. In many cases, the relationship with the country where you serve is still new and a large part of the work falls on you. There are cases when you start almost from scratch and you have to build relationships step by step. A minister, an advisor or a journalist should know you even outside of the days of crisis, have spoken to you before the day comes when you have to ask them for something. That way, when a difficult moment comes, you don’t start from scratch”, said Acting President Haxhiu. According to her, in many countries, Kosovo is still known through a certain period of its history, some connect it with the war, some with the declaration of independence, some with the developments we have had after the declaration of independence. “From afar, no country is fully known. That is why the meeting with you is important. You give people the opportunity to get to know Kosovo beyond that moment in history with which they have connected it and see it as the country it is today”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu: EtnoFest is so strongly connected to Kukaj that it is difficult to think of it anywhere else
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, participated at the opening of the 16th edition of the EtnoFest Traditional Arts and Culture Festival, which is held in the village of Kukaj. In her address to the participants, Acting President Haxhiu said that in his memoir, Father Zef Pllumi conveyed to us the message he had received from Father Marin Sirdani: “Live to tell”, adding further that this message made us understand that what is not told risks being lost. According to her, when a person shares with others what he has seen and learned, one’s experience continues to live in their memory. “EtnoFest continued this message in its own way. For years, in the village of Kukaj, houses have been reopened and people have gathered in the yards, passing on to the young people the songs, stories and crafts that have been passed down from one generation to the next”, said Acting President Haxhiu. She said that this scene may seem quite natural to us today, however, according to her, years ago, when Kukaj was emptying and many of the houses were being neglected, it was difficult to predict that artists and the public from Kosovo and beyond would gather here. “Fadil and Sheqerije renovated an old stone barn and turned it into a theatre. They placed seats in the yard, where the first performances were given. From that first yard, the festival gradually spread to the village of Kukaj. Thus, EtnoFest was born, an annual festival where people return every summer”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. She further stated that this year’s theme, “Memory”, is a natural continuation of this work. “Artists come here to listen to the songs and stories of the residents, see how the craftsmen work and create new works from them. The residents open their homes to them and make them part of the place, so the festival has taken on its distinctive character from them. EtnoFest is so strongly connected to Kukaj that it is difficult to think of it anywhere else. The performances take shape according to the houses and courtyards where they are performed, while the residents keep the festival connected to the life of the village”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. For this reason, she said that gratitude belongs to Fadil Hysaj and Sheqerije Buqaj and everyone who has worked with her over the years, to the team that prepares the program, to the artists who adapt their work to the village and to the residents who welcome the visitors. According to her, behind every evening that the audience experiences with ease, there is a long work, which often begins many months in advance. “Of course, the support of institutions will continue even more. The festival has shown what it can do for Kukaj and for the cultural life of the country, and institutional support is very important to increase. Our task is to make sure that the organizers, residents and artists have an easier time developing the festival further”, affirmed Acting President Haxhiu. Acting President Haxhiu said that after a few days, the stages will be removed and the audience will leave, the residents will return to their jobs, while the team will start thinking about the next edition. Finally, Acting President Haxhiu wished that EtnoFest will have the audience it deserves this year and that, next summer, it will gather us again here, in Kukaj.
Acting President Haxhiu visited the “Women in Business” Fair: this fair is a testimony of the potential, creativity and commitment of women entrepreneurs
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, on the opening day, visited today the “Women in Business” Fair, organized by the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation (MINT), through the Kosovo Investment and Enterprise Support Agency (KIESA). Acting President Haxhiu said that this fair is a testimony of the potential, creativity and commitment of women entrepreneurs, who with their work and ideas are making a valuable contribution to the economic development of our country. “Such initiatives create space for the promotion of local products and support for the role of women in the economy. The fair will be open until August 5, at “Mother Teresa” Square in Pristina,” said Acting President Haxhiu. She has invited all citizens to visit and get to know the work and products of our women entrepreneurs.
Acting President Haxhiu: Dua Lipa has made Kosovo part of her public narrative wherever she has been present
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, has said that Dua Lipa has made Kosovo part of her public narrative wherever she has been present. According to her, Sunny Hill was born from this connection and from her desire to bring to Prishtina artists with whom she shares the world’s biggest stages. “For young Albanian artists, the festival is one of the rare opportunities to appear in front of such a large and diverse audience. Meanwhile, thousands of people from different countries travel to Prishtina precisely for Sunny Hill. For many of them, the festival is also the first direct encounter with Kosovo, the city and its people. Few cultural events have given Kosovo so much resonance abroad and brought it closer to a wide international audience,” said Acting President Haxhiu. The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, congratulated Dua Lipa and the entire Sunny Hill team for this edition and thanked the artists, the audience and everyone who worked on and behind the scenes to make these three nights in Prishtina possible.