Acting President Haxhiu received the Executive Director of the Kosovo Centre for the Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors (KRRT), Ms. Feride Rushiti
Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, received today the Executive Director of the Kosovo Centre for the Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors (KRRT), Ms. Feride Rushiti. “I thanked Ms. Rushiti for her tireless commitment and extraordinary dedication in supporting survivors of sexual violence during the war, a mission of particular importance, not only for the survivors and our society, but also for empowering justice and dignity in our country,” stated Acting President Haxhiu. Acting President Haxhiu assured Ms. Rushiti said that she shall enjoy the full support of herself and of the institutions in every effort to advance the rights, dignity and well-being of survivors.
Acting President Albulena Haxhiu’s address at the Mass dedicated to Don Kelmend Spaqi
Today, on this Easter Monday, we are consigning to eternity a priest, as well as a figure who, during the most difficult moments of our history, became a protective wall to human life and dignity. His activity is evidence of a complete dedication to man, to faith and to the homeland. For 33 years of priesthood, Don Kelmendi served as a guide in times of uncertainty, support in times of fear and a steadfast voice of truth. He lived with the deep conviction that religion and homeland do not exclude each other, and he even witnessed how these two strengthen man’s resolve to serve the other. In this sense, his motto “for Faith, Homeland and Freedom” was also a way of life. In the darkest days of our history, when violence and insecurity aimed to destroy not only life, but also trust in each other, Don Kelmendi stood with the people. In Gllogjan, Pejë, in the spring of 1999, he opened the doors of the “Shna Ndou” church, or as it is popularly known, the Church of Hope, where he sheltered hundreds of citizens who were forcibly expelled by Serbian paramilitary and military forces. There, Don Kelmendi, with the help of the nuns, treated wounded people and assisted young mothers in caring for their babies. On April 4th, 1999, Serbian paramilitary and police forces interrupted his mass, and at gunpoint, asked him to separate the Catholic community from the Muslim one. And he replied that there are neither Catholics or Muslims here, but only defenseless civilians. Dom Kelmendi courageously articulated a fundamental truth: that prior to being different, we are human and we belong to the same country. This stance was not a spontaneous act. It was the result of a character molded by national values, built on faith and ethics that do not negotiate with fear. He came from a family that had known persecution. But this did not make him retreat. On the contrary, it made him clearer in his attitudes and more steadfast in his actions. Equally significant was the way in which himself and the nuns in his parish put coexistence into practice, using the church bells to announce iftar and suhoor for Muslim believers, at war time. In this spirit, he gave the clear message that human dignity and interfaith respect are stronger than any attempt at division. And division was precisely the goal of the Milosevic regime. Don Kelmendi was a simple man in behavior, but great in his acts. Close to people, attentive to their needs, always ready to give, without asking for anything in return. His departure from this life, precisely on Holy Thursday, on the day of the establishment of the priesthood, gives a special symbolism to this departure. His life ended exactly where the call had begun: in service. Today we are consigning to eternity a priest and patriot who put his life in the service of others, a man who left behind a brilliant example, which will not fade with time. On behalf of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, I express the highest institutional gratitude for his life and work. Don Kelmendi left us this legacy to which we owe a responsibility: to preserve and pass on the values that he embodied because such figures are honored only by passing on the values they leave behind. My deepest condolences to the Spaqi family, to the Catholic Church and to all those who knew and loved him. May the memory of Don Kelmend Spaqi be eternal.
Acting President Haxhiu conveys her felicitations for: faith, hope and solidarity are values that keep the society stable even at difficult times
Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, has conveyed her felicitations for the Easter holiday . Acting President Haxhiu said that this holy day reminds us that faith, hope and solidarity are values that keep society stable even at difficult times. “I wish that this holiday brings peace to every family and joy to every home. May this holiday be a moment of reflection and a reverting to caring for each other, preserving human dignity and strengthening the bonds that hold us together,” stated Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu paid homage in Rezallë: The traces of the crime will never be erased, and Serbia’s crimes will never be forgotten
Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, paid homage on the 27th anniversary of the massacre in Rezallë. On this occasion, the Acting President said that 27 years ago, here in Rezalle and in the surrounding villages, merciless massacres were committed by the Serbian regime. “On April 5th, 1999, in Rezallë of Skënderaj and in the surrounding villages, the extermination plan was implemented by the Serbian regime. On that day, that is, on April 5th, 1999, boys and men from the age of 13 to the age of 90, were separated from their families, robbed, forcibly removed from their homes, and then shot. But this was not enough for the Serbian regime; their bodies were abducted and mass graves were dug for their bodies in Serbia,” said Acting President Haxhiu. She emphasized that the goal was to hide the traces of the genocidal crime, but the traces of the crime will never be hidden and the crimes of Serbia will never be forgotten. “They will remain forever in the memory of their families, but also in our collective memory. As institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, we will engage to ensure that there is justice for the Rezallë Massacre, but also for all the massacres, murders, rapes, destruction and expulsions that Serbia has committed in Kosovo,” said Acting President Haxhiu.
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.