President Osmani received the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania Igli Hasani
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received today the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania Igli Hasani, with whom, in addition to the latest political and security developments, she also discussed the need for continuous interstate coordination in the politics of external affairs. According to President Osmani, Albania has supported Kosovo throughout the difficult periods of its people, as well as in the process of state formation and state building, for which she expressed her gratitude to the Minister Hasani and the Albanian state. At the meeting with Minister Hasani, President Osmani emphasized that Kosovo needs Albania’s support even further in the international arena, especially in the organizations in which it is not as yet represented. “Beyond the historical connection and the strategic partnership, Kosovo and Albania must have common goals and harmonized strategies in the interest of the two countries,” said President Osmani. President Osmani potentiated that the strengthening of the state of Kosovo and the consolidation of its international position is a continuous goal, which also requires Albania’s support. “Kosovo’s position in the international arena needs the continuous contribution of Albania’s foreign policy,” said President Osmani, emphasizing that for Kosovo, Albania is not only a strategic partner, but also a state with which it has fraternal, cultural and national ties. In this context, President Osmani and Minister Hasani also discussed coordination on the issue of new recognitions, inclusion in the Partnership for Peace as a preliminary step to membership in NATO, but also in other international organizations. In relation to recent developments with the political and security situation, President Osmani said that Kosovo’s institutions are committed to coordination and cooperation with international partners and friendly countries in the region in addressing security challenges. According to President Osmani, the recent developments in the north of Kosovo and the hostile actions of Serbia and its leadership, require increased commitment and attention from the international factor but also from the countries of the region in order to maintain peace and stability.
Ismet Krasniqi is appointed as advisor to President Osmani
Ismet Krasniqi, former Secretary General of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo for almost 17 years, has been appointed as an advisor to President Vjosa Osmani. Throughout his engagements, Mr. Krasniqi distinguished himself for dedication and professionalism. Advisor Krasniqi has been a professional supporter of all the processes of utmost importance to our country, starting with the former President Ahtisaari package, professional and technical preparations for the declaration of Kosovo’s Independence, the concussion of the supervision of Independence, the technical engagement in monitoring and completion of documentation for the needs of our delegation at the ICJ, as well as preparations for constitutional amendments. A special contribution Mr. Krasniqi also provided to the ensuring of the presence of the donor community in the Assembly and the participation of civil society in the work of the Assembly. President Osmani welcomed Mr. Krasniqi and emphasized that his engagement is an added value for the Cabinet, due to his long institutional and professional experience.
President Vjosa Osmani’s address at the commemorative ceremony held on the 25th anniversary of the Reçak Massacre
Honourable Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Konjufca, Honourable Prime Minister Kurti, The distinguished friend of Kosovo, Ambassador Walker, Honourable Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, Representatives of the institutions of our Republic, Honourable ambassadors and diplomats, Honourable Mayor Aliu, Honourable families of the victims of the Reçak Massacre, Honourable survivors of this Massacre, Distinguished guests, On the 25th anniversary of the Reçak Massacre, we gather here again to commemorate and honour all those civilians whose lives were savagely taken by the Serbian regime on January 15th 1999. We are here because the Reçak Massacre is our permanent reminder of the brutality against children, women and men, who suffered just because of their affiliation, just because they were Albanians. But today, we are not here just to commemorate the victims and to express our pain for them, we are here above all to demand justice. January 15th 1999 shook the foundations of human consciousness everywhere in the democratic world, as the world experienced one of the most terrible massacres which took place in Europe, at the end of the 20th century. This Massacre has living witnesses who experienced the viciousness of that day. In addition to the surviving residents, whose testimonies are essential not only for our historical memory but also for the identification of the perpetrators of the crime, this Massacre also had a chief witness, who is with on this anniversary, Ambassador William Walker. The saddest event in his life, Ambassador Walker, unequivocally and based on what he saw at Kodra e Bebushit, called it a massacre and a crime against humanity. This powerful testimony gave a turn to our entire struggle for freedom against the genocidal Milosevic regime. This massacre energized world diplomacy, which intensified the efforts to stop the barbarism against the Albanian people of Kosovo and at the same time strengthened the efforts of the girls and boys of the KLA for the freedom of the country. Just like on the day when the crime in Reçak was described as a crime against humanity, today we need to say it repeatedly and everywhere that in this small village with a great history, defenceless and unarmed civilians were killed, and the call for justice for them is in function of protection of the human dignity of the victims and of their families. Seeking justice is not just a request, it is a sacred duty that transcends borders, transcends ethnicities and political affiliations. The families of those massacred in Reçak, who continue to bear the burden of the loss and pain of their members, deserve that the perpetrators of this crime against humanity be brought to justice. They and our country are on the side of truth. And this truth is best summed up in Ambassador Walker’s sentence: A crime against humanity has occurred in Reçak! In Reçak, once again, as in every massacre against civilians in our country, the intention of the then Serbian regime to exterminate the Albanian people in Kosovo was fully revealed. The call for justice reaffirms our belief in the triumph of truth over cruelty, responsibility over impunity and humanity over hatred. Honourable participants, The Reçak Massacre, which is filled with indescribable pain of the families of the victims and for all our people, reminds us that freedom and peace have come at an extremely high price. Today, we are here to tell all the families who have lost their loved ones, the massacred people of Reçak are also our family, they are our mutual pain, they are our constant pain. The families and survivors show dignity and courage in facing this tragedy, showing an example of human courage and resilience, by always seeking only justice. Facts are more powerful than continuous Serbian propaganda, truth is always more powerful than lies, so for Reçak there is only one truth. In 1999, civilians were brutally killed by a genocidal regime, the Milosevic regime. This was the truth then, this is truth today and will always remain so in the annals of history. No matter how much the regime tries to deny the continuity of Milosevic, that of Vucic, who today imprisons and tortures even those Serbs who accept this truth and place flowers on the graves of children killed during the war. For this reason, Reçak needs justice, because justice is a guarantee that macabre crimes like this never happen again! Only justice gives meaning to peace and freedom. May the memory of those who fell in Reçak be eternal!
President Osmani received the European Parliament Rapporteur for Kosovo Viola von Cramon
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received today the European Parliament Rapporteur for Kosovo Viola von Cramon. The latest developments in the country with a special focus on security, as well as the engagements by Kosovo’s institutions in terms of the EU integration path were discussed at the meeting. On this occasion, President Osmani spoke of the importance of the EU moving forward in relation to Kosovo by granting it the status of a candidate country. President Osmani also reiterated once again the importance of abolition of the EU measures, which are still in force, pointing out the injustice of this decision as well as the disbalance they create in the positioning of the parties in the dialogue. In relation to this issue, President Osmani confirmed that Kosovo remains a party committed to the full implementation of the agreements. The fact that this will be an electoral year at the European Union level, and the potential implications of the results of these elections in our country, in the region and beyond were also discussed.
President Osmani has formally decreed the opening of the Special Mission of the Republic of Kosovo to the Holy See
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osman, has formally decreed the opening of the Special Mission of the Republic of Kosovo to the Holy See. “After two years of intensive work with the Holy See, I have formally decreed the opening of the Special Mission of the Republic of Kosovo to the Holy See. This is an important milestone for Kosovo and a new chapter in relations with the Holy See, which we are committed to deepening,” wrote President Osmani.
President Vjosa Osmani’s statement following the US State Department approval of Kosovo’s request to purchase Javelin weapon defense systems
Our Republic is now entering a new and decisive phase for our National Defense Capabilities, developing the Kosovo Security Force to NATO standards, and further deepening relations with our strategic partner, the United States. As the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the KSF, I wish to commend all the efforts and energies that our defense institutions have put forth over the years to ensure that we meet the eligibility criteria of the U.S. State Department Foreign Military Sales Program. In particular, I wish to extend gratitude to Secretary of State Blinken, with whom we engaged in discussions regarding FMS back in July 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the United States Congress, which has now received official notification of Kosovo’s intent to purchase weapons systems via the FMS program. As the U.S. Government crucially noted: “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security of the United States by improving the security of a European partner which is an important force for political and economic stability in Europe. The proposed sale will improve Kosovo’s long-term defense capacity to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and to meet its national defense requirements.” I have full confidence that the Congress will support this possible sale to the most pro-American nation on earth, as an act which will enhance security in Kosovo, our region, as well as the European continent.
President Osmani received the Chargé d’ Affaires of the US mission to Kosovo, Alyson Grunder
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, received today in the Chargé d’ Affaires at the Embassy of the United States of America to Kosovo, Ms. Alyson Grunder. The intensification of cooperation with the USA in the field of security and defense, as well as the latest developments in the country were discussed at the meeting. President Osmani informed Ms. Grunder on the President’s priorities during the following months, and also discussed the importance of continuing regular communication with the US, in order to achieve mutual objectives. The latest developments in various strategic sectors were also discussed. On this occasion, President Osmani announced the second edition of the International Forum for Women, Peace and Security, on which she highly appreciated the close cooperation and support received from the USA and the Office of Secretary Antony Blinken in particular.
President Osmani commemorates the activist and journalist Enver Maloku on the 25th anniversary of his murder
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani commemorated the activist and journalist Enver Maloku, on the 25th anniversary of the murder. President Osmani’s full commemoratory post: Today marks 25 years since the insidious murder of Enver Maloku, the activist and courageous journalist, the man who transformed free speech and accurate information into the principles of a society and marked an era of courageous and professional reporting. He cultivated free speech and courageously informed the others about the tragedy of his people, becoming a powerful spokesman for the freedom and independence of Kosovo. As a spokesman of the political and human will of his nation, he remains an example of a man dedicated to the free speech and freedom of his nation. But, just on the verge of freedom, Maloku was killed at the entrance of the building where he lived. Unfortunately, justice has failed until today to bring to justice those responsible for this murder, as has for many others, committed immediately after the war. Therefore, we must once again repeat the call to the responsible institutions to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice, including all the post-war murders. May the memory of Enver Maloku be eternal!
President Osmani at the meeting with the Prime Minister of Ireland, Leo Varadkar: Kosovo deserves the EU candidate country status
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received today the Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar. Current political and security developments, mutual interests and the expansion of opportunities for increased cooperation were discussed at the meeting. Excellent relations between Kosovo and Ireland were once again reconfirmed, as President Osmani thanked Prime Minister Varadkar for his steadfast support to Kosovo’s ongoing efforts for sustainable peace, stability and economic development. President Osmani expressed her gratitude for Ireland’s support to Kosovo’s path towards obtainment of Council of Europe membership. Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of continuation of this support towards the final membership in the Council of Europe, the EU, as well as in other international organizations. “Membership in the Council of Europe is to the benefit of all citizens of Kosovo and enables advanced protection of human rights,” emphasized President Osmani. President Omani also stated that it is time that Kosovo’s relations with the EU should be raised to the next level. “Kosovo deserves the status of a candidate country. Kosovo embodies European values, and in this spirit, there is a continuous engagement that our legislation is in harmony with EU laws. It is the right moment for us to receive the status of a candidate country,” said President Osmani. In relation to the recent developments in the country, President Osmani potentiated that Kosovo has already taken meaningful steps in de-escalating the situation in the north of the country and called the EU’s measures disproportionate and detrimental to the citizens of Kosovo. In this context, President Osmani expressed gratitude for Ireland’s stance against these measures and repeated the call for their revocation, because the current measures in force against Kosovo are unfair and create a lack of balance in the dialogue. As far as the security situation is concerned, President Osmani said that the lack of measures against Serbia in relation to the terrorist attack and the act of aggression on September 24th in Banjskë only encourages it to carry out similar acts again, which affects not only the stability of Kosovo, but also of the region. President Osmani and Prime Minister Varadkar emphasized the importance of cooperation in addressing global challenges and promoting development in all spheres of common interest, with a special focus on education and healthcare.
Madam President thanks the President of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed Bin Zayed for accepting her visa waiver proposal
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani has thanked the President of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed Bin Zayed for accepting her proposal to waive the visa requirement for the citizens of Kosovo. “I thank the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Mohamed Bin Zayed, for accepting my proposal to waive the visa requirement for citizens of Kosovo. The agreement reached during our meeting last month has already been signed, paving the way for greater cooperation opportunities between our two countries and our citizens,” wrote President Osmani.