National Statement of President Vjosa Osmani
Summit for Democracy, Dear President Biden, dear colleagues, Democracy is more than a mere system of governance. For the Republic of Kosovo, it was our strong desire for democracy that secured our path to freedom and independence. And by strengthening it today, democracy will pave our way for a brighter future within Euro-Atlantic institutions. At its very heart, democracy is fundamentally about having the right to choose your path, your future, and your destiny. The people of Kosovo have chosen their path. This Year’s Summit for Democracy has certainly been our Year of Action! With full force and fervor we have worked to implement the commitments we set out last year. But the Year of Action, has also been a year of substantial global challenges, with indiscriminate and flagrant violations of human rights happening across the world as we gather here today. Kosovo knows too well what it’s like for an innocent people to be on the receiving end of a brutal and genocidal war, which is precisely why without a second thought we immediately imposed sanctions on Russia and have relentlessly supported the people of Ukraine. The immense suffering of the Ukrainian people serves as a stark reminder that there is no price too high to pay for freedom and democracy – and we will continue to stand with our allies to defend these values anywhere in the world. Over the past year, we have made significant progress in advancing our democracy, strengthening the rule of law and fighting corruption. We are implementing the National Strategy on the Rule of Law, alongside uncompromising and record-pace reforms to ensure accountable, equitable and responsive governance throughout public institutions. Our efforts have been recognized the world over. Together with our friends from the Dominican Republic we have co-led the Rule of Law cohort within the Summit for Democracy. In addition, according to Freedom House, Kosovo ranked as the third most improved democracy in the world in 2022, and in just two years has jumped 20 places higher in Transparency International’s Anti-Corruption Index. Since we last met, we have worked tirelessly to advance diversity and inclusion as a cornerstone for the protection of human rights. We committed to establishing the Presidential Council for Democracy and Human Rights – and we delivered. This Council has ensured oversight of our pledges and commitments by the highest institutions in the country and across every layer of governance, and its work will continue beyond the second edition of the Summit. We are also proud to report the adoption of a bold national strategy against gender-based violence and for having taking meaningful steps to guarantee women’s rightful place in public institutions and decision-making roles. A strong democracy is a democracy that also delivers for women. We have made significant strides, but as long as women continue to face misogyny in the workplace, violence at home, silencing in the classroom or abuse while walking down the street – this battle is far from over. During this Year of Action, Kosovo has led the global discussions on advancing women’s rights by hosting the international forum on Women, Peace and Security with over 500 thought-leaders from 6 continents, and this coming October we look forward to welcoming you all for the second edition in our capital Prishtina. Dear colleagues, Our commitment to democracy isn’t just a Summit pledge, it’s our everyday existence on the frontline against autocracies. Our commitment has and always will be unbreakable. Our commitment to working with partners across the world to defend and nurture it is equally so. As President Biden recently said: “it is in moments of great upheaval and uncertainty that knowing what you stand for matters most. And knowing who stands with you makes all the difference.” It is only through joining forces that we can build a future where democracy is a reality for all. Thank you.
President Osmani at the Second Summit for Democracy in a plenary session with President Macron, British Prime Minister Sunak and German Chancellor Scholz
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, at the invitation of the President of the United States of America Joe Biden, will represent the Republic of Kosovo at the Second Summit for Democracy being held virtually today, organised by the White House. In a plenary session, which will take place at 15:00, President Osmani will be the speaker alongside the following world leaders: the president of France Emmanuel Macron, the prime minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak, the chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz, the prime minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson, the prime minister of Iceland Katrín Jakobsdóttir, the president of Colombia Gustavo Petro, as well as the heads of state and government of Zambia and the Bahamas. The Summit for Democracy will be opened by President Joe Biden at 12:00 hours and will bring together countries around the globe in their efforts to consolidate democratic values, to promote and further empower them. The Republic of Kosovo throughout the past year has achieved significant successes in the three commitments which were aimed at strengthening the rule of law and the fight against corruption, the fight against authoritarianism, the advancement of human rights, diversity and inclusiveness with a focus on advancing women’s rights and gender equality. Due to this success, out of more than 100 participating countries, the Presidency of the Republic of Kosovo as the leading institution in Kosovo during the “Year of Action” within the framework of the Summit for Democracy, has been selected by the White House to co-lead the thematic group on the rule of law.
President Osmani commemorated the 24th anniversary of the massacre in Beleg, Deçan
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani has commemorated the 24th anniversary of the Beleg in Deçan massacre, when the police and the military and paramilitary forces of the Serbian genocidal regime killed and massacred 46 Albanians. “This massacre is a painful memory not only for Beleg but for all of Kosovo. It shows the brutality of the Serbian regime against the people of Kosovo. The memory of this massacre is not only in function of keeping the truth alive but also a motive not to cease seeking for justice,” said President Osmani.
President Osmani received the Mayor of Linz, Mr. Klaus Luger
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received today the Mayor of Linz in Austria, Mr. Klaus Luger, with whom she discussed the good cooperation that our two countries nurture, the models of cooperation at the local level as a promoter of the integration of society and sustainable economic development, as well as the role that the Kosovar diaspora traditionally has had in the municipality of Linz and throughout Austria. President Osmani emphasized Austria’s continuous support to Kosovo, either during the 90s, when it recognized Kosovo’s diplomas and helped shape entire generations, or after the Kosovo war when it helped in its reconstruction and development. The possibilities of cooperation between Kosovo and Austria, especially in the fields of economy, information technology and education were also discussed at the meeting. Madam President also thanked Mayor Luger for the fruitful cooperation between Linz and Podujevë and emphasized the importance that these types of cooperation have in improving local economies and the well-being of our citizens. The Mayor of Linz municipality expressed his pleasure for the visit and thanked the President for Kosovo’s partnership with his country and with the city of Linz. He said that the Kosovar diaspora is well integrated into Austrian society and has become an important developmental factor.
The President: Izbica is among the many testimonies of the genocide of the Serbian state, perpetrated with the intention to exterminate the Albanian people
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani accompanied by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, paid homage today at the Memorial Complex in Izbica. President Osmani said that today in Izbica we commemorate the 147 individuals assassinated by the Serbian genocidal forces. “This was one of the most terrible massacres perpetrated by Serbia, of the genocidal Serbian state, against the Albanian people. And the crime did not end with the killing and with the massacre of our citizens in Izbica but doubled when the Serbian forces exhumed the dead and reburied them in mass graves in various places all over Serbia and Kosovo. Their bodies were found years later, including the body of six-month-old Dafina, which shows the cruelty of the crimes that Serbia committed in Kosovo,” said President Osmani. Madam President also added that Izbica is also among the many testimonies that the Serbian state committed genocide. “Izbica is also among the many testimonies demonstrating that the Serbian state committed genocide with the goal to exterminate the Albanian people. Even today, at this place, we share the pain with all the families who have lost their loved ones, because their pain is the pain of all of Kosovo. Freedom became possible because of all these victims, because of the just war of the Kosovo Liberation Army and of course, because of the sacrifice of all our people. The glory of all those who gave their lives for our freedom will be eternal,” emphasized the President.
Madam President receives a letter of gratitude from President Erdoğan: The endeavours of your search and rescue team to save the lives of people trapped under the rubble will always be remembered with gratitude
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani has received a letter of gratitude from the President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, for the help and support provided to ease the consequences of the earthquakes in Türkiye. “I would like to thank you on behalf of my nation and my personal behalf for sharing our pain and providing support in a short time by sending a message of condolence for the victims caused by earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş, which directly affected ten provinces with a devastating force and which caused deep pain to our country. The fact that amicable countries stand by us in such occurrences of natural disasters, gives us the strength to endure,” states President Erdoğan’s letter. President Erdoğan also adds that the aid of the Republic of Kosovo has made a great contribution to the people who are struggling with the appalling effects of the earthquakes, “Your help has made a great contribution to our people, who are struggling with the appalling effects of the earthquake at these hard winter days. The efforts of your search and rescue team to save the lives of people trapped under the rubble will always be remembered with gratitude.” “On this occasion, I reiterate my best wishes for your health and happiness, as well as for the well-being and prosperity of the amicable and fraternal people of Kosovo,” concludes President Erdoğan’s letter.
The President commemorates the 40 men, women and children of the “Dardania” neighborhood in Peja, killed by the forces of the Serbian genocidal regime
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani commemorated the 40 men, women and children of the “Dardania” neighborhood in Peja, barbarically murdered by the forces of the Serbian genocidal regime. Madam President’s full statement: On March 27th, 1999, 40 men, women and children of the “Dardania” neighborhood in Peja were barbarically murdered by the forces of the Serbian genocidal regime. Today we honor all those murdered on this sorrowful day and we also sympathize with their families. We are determined to never stop remembering them and never cease fighting for justice!
President Osmani commemorates the 24th anniversary of the massacre of the Berisha family
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, has commemorated the 24th anniversary of the massacre of the Berisha family. President Osmani’s full statement: 24 years ago, a horrendous massacre of an entire family took place. 46 members of the Berisha family were massacred on the threshold of their house, while the corpses were taken elsewhere. Fate decreed that three of them, Vjollca with her son and Shyhrete be saved. Today they keep alive the memory of the murdered members and the memory of the genocide against us. They are the memory and evidence of this genocide upon the Albanians of Kosovo.
The President: The broken hearts of the mothers, wives, sisters and children of the people of Krusha e Madhe and Krusha e Vogël are still looking for the missing justice
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani paid her homage in Krushë te Madhe and Krushë te Vogël on the 24th anniversary of the massacres in these villages. Madam President’s full statement: The broken hearts of the mothers, wives, sisters and children of the people of Krusha e Madhe and Krusha e Vogël are still looking for the missing justice, 24 years after the cruelty committed by the Serbian genocidal. We will remain silent, we will not give up until justice is served and until the fate of the intellectual Ukshin Hoti and the other forcibly disappeared is brought to light. We owe this to our past, present and future. We owe this to the values of freedom and peace, which rest on the sorrowful fate of the victims of Krusha and thousands of others throughout Kosovo. Our freedom is the result of the fallen, the heroes and the contribution of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
President Osmani: We will never allow any massacre to be forgotten, we shall speak and defend the truth about them everywhere
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani has commemorated the 24th anniversary of the massacre in Tërrnje, Suharekë. President Osmani’s full statement: 24 years ago, the forces of the Serbian genocidal regime entered the village of Tërrnje in Suharekë, in the early hours of the morning and massacred 46 children, women and men. This exposed the brutality of the Serbian criminal regime, which targeted civilians regardless of their age. More than two decades after this day of horror, the memory of them remains eternal. We will never allow this massacre to be forgotten, just like all the others carried out throughout Kosovo. We will speak and defend the truth about them everywhere. May the memory of those killed in Tërrnje be eternal!