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.
President Osmani commemorates the Beleg massacre: 46 Albanian civilians were brutally executed and massacred, just because they were Albanians, just because they wanted to live freely in their land
On March 29th 1999, in the courtyard of a house in Beleg, Deçan, the police, military and paramilitary forces of the genocidal regime of Serbia separated men and minors from women, a premeditated inhumane act that preceded the cruel crime. 46 Albanian civilians were brutally executed and massacred, just because they were Albanians, just because they wanted to live freely in their land. On this anniversary, we bow with reverence to the lives unjustly cut short and to the pain of the families who still bear the scars of that day. Remembering them is a pledge that these crimes will never be forgotten and that justice will triumph. May the memory of those who fell for freedom be eternal!
President Osmani honored in Vienna with the “Dr. Erhard Busek” Award for exceptional leadership and commitment to freedom, democracy and Euro-Atlantic integration
Yesterday in Vienna, at the “Kosovo in the EU” conference organized by Andreas Minnich, Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee in the Austrian Parliament and Chairman of the Austria-Kosovo Friendship Association, on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of NATO’s humanitarian intervention in Kosovo, the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Dr. Vjosa Osmani, was awarded the “Dr. Erhard Busek” Award. This Award was given to President Osmani for exceptional leadership and commitment to freedom, democracy and Euro-Atlantic integration. In his speech, Mr. Minnich expressed his deep appreciation for President Osmani’s contribution. “There is no woman in Europe like her who fights so hard for Kosovo’s accession to the EU and who emphasizes what unites us. She is a bridge builder, which is rarely found as such, and she builds bridges not only within Europe, but also across the Atlantic,” pointed out Minnich. He further added that President Osmani is an excellent transatlantic bridge builder. “It is always special to meet with her, to discuss her ideas, her visions and her visions for Kosovo here in Europe, as well as for projects that have real importance around the world. She supports the biggest issues, the grandest of visions. We want to thank her with this Award,” said Minnich. Meanwhile, President Osmani, through a video address, thanked them for the Award, considering it a special appreciation. “The 27th anniversary of NATO’s intervention in Kosovo is a testament to what is possible when justice finds its voice and when the world chooses to stand on the right side of history.” President Osmani further expressed her deep gratitude to Austria, praising it as a steadfast and principled friend. On this occasion, she thanked the Austrian Parliament for organizing this conference that honors NATO’s decisive intervention 27 years ago to stop the genocide against the people of Kosovo. President Osmani further emphasized that freedom is not given, but earned, defended and carried forward from generation to generation/ “Kosovo is not just a resilience story. It is a story of determination to build a state where dignity, equality and democracy are not just aspirations, but realities lived every day,” said President Osmani. In this regard, President Osmani emphasized that the path forward is clear. “Kosovo belongs to the European Union and NATO, not only as a political objective, but as a continuation of the values that we embody as a country: peace, freedom, justice, the rule of law and sustainable partnership with democracies around the world”, emphasized President Osmani. At the end, President Osmani thanked Mr. Andreas Minich, Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, MEP Helmut Brandstätter, President of PAN-Europa Reinhard Kloucek, MEP Lukas Mandl, as well as all Austrian friends who support Kosovo’s path towards the EU as well as our diaspora in Austria, for cultivating friendship between our two countries. President Osmani also expressed her gratitude to the “Dr. Erhard Busek” Award committee for honoring her with this award. The “Dr. Erhard Busek” Award is an award of the Austria-Kosovo Friendship Association, established on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Erhard Busek, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education in Austria, leader of the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe, promoter of peace and a united Europe, and great supporter and friend of Kosovo.
President Vjosa Osmani commemorates the massacre of the Bogujevci, Duriqi and Llugaliu families
On March 28th, 1999, 16 members of the Bogujevci, Duriqi and Llugaliu families, innocent women and children, were brutally murdered by the forces of the Serbian genocidal regime in Podujevë. This massacre remains evidence of the cruelty of a regime that did not spare even the most defenseless lives. Children who should have grown up in peace, and women who supported their families, were barbarically killed simply because they were Albanians. The pain for them is eternal, while justice for such crimes remains an obligation that does not fade with time. May the memory of the martyrs be eternal!
President Vjosa Osmani: Izbica is not only a testimony to the pain and to the price of freedom, it is also a memory that must not fade and a call for justice not to be delayed
27 years ago, 147 innocent civilians were brutally murdered by the Serbian genocidal forces, among them a 6-month-old baby, Dafina Qelaj. A life that had just begun was barbarically ended, along with many others, inside their homes, just because they were Albanians. Izbica is not only a testimony to the pain and to the price of freedom. It is also a memory that must not fade and a call for justice not to be delayed. Serbia’s crimes, which were committed to exterminate our people, must face justice. Remembering the fallen is an obligation, while justice for them remains a trust. May the memory of the fallen and martyrs be eternal!
President Osmani: Thanks to the work of our champions and the vision of the Kosovo Judo Federation, our country has become a world capital of judo
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, visited the National Judo Center a few days ago. President Osmani wrote: I had the pleasure of visiting the National Judo Center a few days ago! Grandmaster Toni, Majlinda, Distria, Laura and the entire excellent team, every time I am with you, I feel the strength of discipline, the spirit of champions and the great love for Kosovo. Special gratitude also to the teams from Ukraine, America and Japan, who choose Kosovo as the place where they train, grow and challenge themselves every day. Today, thanks to your work and the vision of the Kosovo Judo Federation, our country has become a world capital of judo, where talents from all over the globe come to train with the best. Thank you for the hospitality!