The President: The enforced disappearance of thousands of our citizens, including many children, was a clear attempt to eradicate a nation
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, on the occasion of April 27th, the day of the forcibly disappeared in the last war in Kosovo, said that the enforced disappearance of thousands of our citizens, including many children, was a clear attempt to eradicate a nation. ” This s one of the most heinous crimes of Milosevic’s genocidal regime “, said President Osmani. President Osmani’s full statement: As every day, but especially today, we remember over 1,600 of our fellow citizens who forcibly disappeared during the last war in Kosovo. Today, our thoughts are with their families and we sympathize with their daily pain and anxiety. The forcible disappearance of over thousands of our citizens, including many children, was a clear attempt to eradicate a nation. This is one of the most heinous crimes of Milosevic’s genocidal regime. On days like this, we must understand not only how important it is to demand the return of all those who are forcibly disappeared but above all, how important it is that justice is served.
President Osmani meets the Albanian political entities in North Macedonia
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, as part of her official visit to North Macedonia, met the Albanian political entities: DUI, Alliance for the Albanians, Alternativa, and Besa. Albanian political entities evaluated President Osmani’s speech in the Assembly of North Macedonia as of historical importance. In a meeting with the leaders of these subjects, President Osmani appreciated the commitment of the Albanians for the stability and prosperity of North Macedonia. According to President Osmani, the Albanians of North Macedonia have not only contributed to state building but continue to contribute even further to the European future of their country. President Osmani emphasized that the Albanians of North Macedonia play a significant role in interstate relations, as both countries are ready for deepening cooperation and mutual support in the European journey. In this context, she emphasized Kosovo’s willingness to support the Albanians of North Macedonia in the cultivation, preservation of the Albanian language, cultural heritage, and similar projects. Together with the leaders of the Albanian political entities, they also discussed the need to intensify economic cooperation, in infrastructure, tourism and other areas of mutual interest, and the latest political developments in Kosovo and the region.
President Osmani meets the President of VMRO-DPMNE, Mr. Christian Mickoski
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, as part of her official visit to North Macedonia, met with the President of VMRO-DPMNE, Hristijan Mickoski. During the meeting with Mr Mickoski, President Osmani emphasized the excellent relations with North Macedonia and expressed her willingness to strengthen these relations even more. The President also thanked North Macedonia for its continuous support towards Kosovo, as well as for its loyal attitude towards the European values of democracy and regional cooperation. In this context, President Osmani has emphasized the need to accelerate the integration process of the Western Balkan countries in the EU, as a prerequisite for peace and stability in the region.
Joint media conference of President Vjosa Osmani and President Stevo Pendarovski
President Osmani’s address at the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia
Honourable Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Talat Xhaferi, Honourable citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia, Honourable host, Mr. President Pendarovski, thank you for the invitation for an official visit to North Macedonia, Honourable Prime Minister Kovacevski, a friend of the Republic of Kosovo, Honourable MPs Honourable Excellencies, Ambassadors, Honourable President of the Constitutional Court, Representatives of the religious clergy and all of you present here today, Dobro ve najdov, dragi sosedi I am happy to be visiting the next-door neighbour of Kosovo today and of course, I am honoured that I was given the opportunity to address the members of the Parliament of North Macedonia and through you, the citizens of your country. We are not only geographical neighbours with North Macedonia, but we also share the same values and the same goals. Our common goal is the European family, where our future lies and above all, where we have already demonstrated that we deserve to belong. The Republic of Kosovo and North Macedonia enjoy excellent neighbourly relations not only on paper but also in practice. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, we have made extremely important progress in strengthening bilateral relations and the climate of good neighbourliness, which we have continuously nurtured. In 1999, during our dark days, when our existence was threatened by Milosevic’s genocidal machine, North Macedonia, and especially the Albanians in this country, opened their doors and hearts, becoming a refuge for many forcibly expelled and many others escaped death by becoming refugees in other countries of the world. Therefore, thank you from the bottom of my heart on behalf of all the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo to all those who stood by us in 1998-99! May we return the favour! 24 years after this sad story, we have bright days ahead of us. Today, citizens of both countries come and go as they please. It is completely normal that a large number of car signs in the parking lots of Skopje are from the Republic of Kosovo, and vice versa, we see as many visitors from North Macedonia in the many attractions that our Republic offers. Our connections are strong, frequent, and now fast. We celebrate together, we engage in business activities, we study and have regular academic exchange and we have frequented touristic visits, but above all, we enjoy strong friendships and family ties. Honourable Members of the Parliament, The Albanian people living in North Macedonia have always been and always remain a strong connecting bridge between our two countries. They played a key role in the state formation and state building of North Macedonia and today they are key contributors to its European perspective. In the foundations of the modern Macedonian state, Albanians side by side with other ethnic groups are building a common future on the principles of equality and inclusiveness. They are already included in leadership positions, having a greater representation in state institutions, but there is always room to do more. Despite the challenges from the past, today there are several universities operating in North Macedonia, which offer study programs in the Albanian language. They guarantee the preservation of identity, while laying the foundations of knowledge, which then enables the full integration of Albanians into the society of North Macedonia and beyond. Undoubtedly, the preservation and cultivation of the Albanian language is a very important element in the development of coexistence, just as the diversity and preservation of identities and different cultures is an added value of our societies. Driven by the vision for increased well-being and with the aim of overcoming the socio-economic challenges that our entire region is facing, the increase of investments in the settlements where Albanians live and the capacity strengthening of local self-government units and finances will be seen as a priority. In this manner, additional opportunities are created for citizens to be offered the highest quality services, as well as to guarantee the use of the Albanian language in all institutions of the country. Honourable participants, Relations between Kosovo and North Macedonia are a positive example of good neighbourliness in the Western Balkans. Both countries recognize the importance of this neighbourliness in promoting regional stability, economic development and European integration. Cooperation in areas such as education and culture, mutual economic investments, healthcare and tourism, can help build even stronger ties between states and people, while dialogue and continued engagement on issues such as security and economic development will help in creating a more integrated and prosperous region. Therefore, one of the key areas of cooperation between Kosovo and North Macedonia is that of economic development. We have worked together to increase trade and investment, which has contributed to increased employment opportunities, economic growth and prosperity. The potential is enormously greater, so let’s use it and make sure that this cooperation flourishes even further. We are cooperating with the same zeal in the field of security. Both countries are proving the importance of joint efforts in the fight against organized crime and other security challenges facing our region. Recently, we have intensified cooperation and interaction in the field of defense and we are working to sit next to you as soon as possible in the North Atlantic Alliance, in NATO. However, our states and people are not only connected via political relations but also through concrete investment projects, such as the highway named after the political icon here in North Macedonia, the “Arbën Xhaferi” highway, to the border with North Macedonia. In this spirit, as we discussed today, we are very interested in increasing the infrastructural connections with North Macedonia and we hope that the section of the highway from Bllacë to Skopje will be completed as soon as possible. We are also interested in finalizing efforts to establish common border points at the two main crossing points between our two countries. These projects would really facilitate even more the circulation of citizens and goods and would contribute to the increase of cooperation between our businesses. We have consistently shown commitment
President Osmani was received by the Prime Minister of North Macedonia Mr. Dimitar Kovacevski
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, as part of her official visit to North Macedonia, was received by Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski, with whom she discussed the expansion of cooperation in various fields, as well as the latest developments. President Osmani thanked Prime Minister Kovacevski for the support provided by North Macedonia to the process of Kosovo’s membership in international organizations. In this context, she potentiated the vote in favor by this country in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and asked for the continuation of this support in the following efforts by Kosovo in its membership bids in international organizations. President Osmani discussed the great potential for economic cooperation between Kosovo and North Macedonia. She also spoke of good cooperation in the field of security, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts in the fight against organized crime and other security challenges. In relation to the recent political developments in Kosovo and in the region, the importance of coordination and cooperation to oppose Russia’s influence in the region which poses a threat to regional stability and security was discussed. Regarding the Brussels Agreement, President Osmani assessed that with this agreement, Kosovo and Serbia are equal parties in the context of interstate relations, as they recognize the principle of equality, state sovereignty and territorial integrity in relation to each other. President Osmani stated that in this process, Kosovo continues to be a constructive party and that in coordination with international partners, it remains committed to peace and stability. Among other things, the need to intensify the mobility of citizens through the finalization of common border points, as well as the facilitation of doing business, was also raised. The idea of organizing a joint business forum was also discussed, as well as the finalization of the remaining part of the Bllacë-Skopje highway.
President Osmani was received by the Speaker of the Assembly of Macedonia Mr. Talat Xhaferi
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani on the first day of her official visit to North Macedonia, was received by the Speaker of the Assembly of Macedonia Mr. Talat Xhaferi. At the meeting, President Osmani thanked North Macedonia for its vote in favor of Kosovo, taken by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and in this context asked for the same support in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. At the meeting with Speaker Xhaferi, President Osmani spoke about the importance of intensification of inter-parliamentary cooperation, including the incrementing of meetings and interactions of the respective parliamentary committees. In this regard, the role and contribution of friendship groups in the parliaments of both countries were praised, thus encouraging increasingly proactive approaches. Furthermore, President Osmani mentioned the contribution of the Albanians to the state formation and state-building of North Macedonia and said that they are a powerful connecting bridge between the two states. She also added that they best demonstrate how respect for human rights results in the successful integration of different communities in a society.
President Osmani welcomed with high state and military honours by the President of the Republic of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, at the commencement of her official visit to North Macedonia, was received with high state and military honours by President Stevo Pendarovski. Both presidents reconfirmed the excellent relations between Kosovo and North Macedonia. President Osmani emphasized that the relations with North Macedonia are built on common democratic values and strengthened by the common goal of the Euro-Atlantic future of our countries. “We are two neighbouring countries and our goal is the common Euro-Atlantic future. In this endeavour, our relations are a model of operation in the Western Balkans. Our commitment to good neighbourly relations, peace and stability is also in function of stability in the region and beyond. North Macedonia is Kosovo’s reliable partner and we highly appreciate the support to date and count on continued support in our efforts for membership in international organizations”, stated President Osmani Speaking in regard of inter-neighbourly relations, President Osmani pointed out that the ties between the two countries become even stronger with the contribution of the Albanians of North Macedonia. She said that Albanians had a key role in the formation and state-building of North Macedonia, while today they are key contributors to its European perspective. In this context, President Osmani emphasized that the faster completion of the Bllacë-Shkup highway will provide greater opportunities for the movement of citizens of both countries and mutual exchange. The necessity to open additional border points was also mentioned at the meeting, to the benefit of further facilitating the movement to and from both countries. Speaking in reference to current political developments and those in the field of security, President Osmani added that Kosovo continues to coordinate with its allies and that it remains committed to peace and stability. President Osmani and President Pendarovski also discussed the intensification of cooperation in other areas of mutual interest. e>
President Osmani, at the invitation of President Pendarovski, commences tomorrow her official visit to North Macedonia
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, at the invitation of her counterpart Stevo Pendarovski, will begin tomorrow her official visit to the Republic of North Macedonia. During the visit, following the meeting with President Pendarovski and the joint press conference, President Osmani will meet with the Speaker of the Assembly of North Macedonia Talat Xhaferi followed by an address to the Members of the Assembly of North Macedonia. Afterward, President Osmani will also meet with Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski. Throughout the day, she will also have separate meetings with the parliamentary groups represented in the Assembly, as well as a joint working lunch with women leaders in various fields. During the visit to North Macedonia, President Osmani will also participate in the inauguration of a road named after the Historic President Dr. Ibrahim Rugova at the municipality of Çair. At the headquarters of the Embassy of Kosovo, President Osmani will post-mortem award the “Hasan Prishtina” Order to the iconic leader of the Albanians of North Macedonia, Arbën Xhaferi, well known for his engagements in protection and promotion of the rights of Albanians everywhere. President Osmani will also donate a contingent of books to the Albanian language library in Manastir. During her stay in North Macedonia, President Osmani will place a wreath of flowers on the statue of the national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti-Skënderbeu, at the bust of Hasan Prishtina and at the Mother Teresa commemorative plaque, followed by a visit to the Institute of the Albanian Spiritual and Cultural Heritage (ITSHKSHM). President Osmani will also visit Tetova, where she will meet with the mayor of this municipality Bilall Kasami, and several other mayors of municipalities led by Albanians and a number of intellectuals of this municipality. President Osmani will conclude her visit to this municipality with a visit to the Tetova State University where she will speak to students and academic staff about regional political and security challenges.
President Osmani received the head of the EULEX Mission Lars-Gunnar Wigemark
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, received today the head of the EULEX Mission Mr. Lars-Gunnar Wigemark. The latest developments in the security sector as well as the cooperation with EULEX in terms of the current mandate of this mission were discussed at the meeting President Osmani thanked EULEX for its cooperation with the Kosovo Police in relation to security during the election process in the municipalities in the north of the Republic of Kosovo. She emphasized that Serbia’s actions prior to April 23rd as well as on the election day, prove Serbia’s illegal interference in the election process in the Republic of Kosovo through threats and violence against local Serbs in the northern municipalities. Such acts, emphasized Madam President, are not only in contravention of Brussels agreements but also with the applicable international legal norms.