President Osmani in Potsdam: the Republic of Kosovo -a success story in strengthening democracy and alliances with western partners

The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, is participating at the international conference on democracy and freedom of the press, Colloquium M100 Sanssouci. German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, as well as diplomats, journalists and representatives from academia and civil society from all over the world are also attending the conference.
President Osmani continues the coordination for the visa liberalization in a telephone conversation with her Latvian counterpart Egils Levits

The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, held a phone conversation today a phone call with the President of Latvia, Egils Levits as part of ongoing consultations with other counterparts.
The First Gentleman Prindon Sadriu received his counterpart from Hungary Mr. Veres István Attila

At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, the President of the Republic of Hungary Mrs. Katalin Novák is staying in Kosovo on an official visit, accompanied by the First Gentleman Mr. Veres István Attila.
Reception with high state honours of the President of Hungary Katalin Novák
Joint press conference of the President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani Sadriu and the President of Hungary Katalin Novák
Reception with high state honours of the President of Hungary Katalin Novák
President Osmani's speech at the meeting of regional leaders of the Brdo-Brijuni Process

Honourable Presidents, Honourable Hosts, I want to thank you for welcoming us back to the beautiful Brdo Pri Kranju. As the Brdo-Brijuni Process marks its 11th anniversary, I would like to thank President Pahor and President Milanović for their leadership and vision to bring the Western Balkans region closer to the European Union. I believe that you all agree with the fact that President Pahor, in particular, has played an essential role in this initiative and that he is leaving behind an extraordinary legacy as a promoter of regional cooperation and the Euro-Atlantic future of our region. At the origin of this initiative lies the aspiration to increase trust between the countries of the region and contribution to the enlargement of the European Union with the countries of the Western Balkans. Today, a decade later, this initiative remains as important as it was in its genesis. For Kosovo, the future as a member of the European Union is a future that we will never give up. Although our region may have moved closer to the EU and we welcome the opening of negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, we strongly believe that the EU should accelerate the pace. It should be clear to all of us that it is only a European future for countries that aspire and coordinate policies with the European Union, for countries that are promoting and believe in the values ​​of the European Union, is the future that enables peace, stability and prosperity in the region and in Europe. I have said many times that there cannot be a whole, free, united and peaceful Europe without the Western Balkans as part of it. This is no longer a matter of meeting some technical criteria; this is a matter of fundamental importance in terms of geopolitics and security. Whenever we talk or think about the European Union, we think about the values ​​it represents and on which it is built. At their foundation lies respect for human rights and freedoms. Today those rights and freedoms continue to be denied to my people. We are in the year 2022 and it has already been 4 years since the European Commission confirmed that Kosovo has met all the criteria for visa liberalization. However, citizens of the Republic of Kosovo are still denied the right to travel freely within the EU. As you can imagine, this limits their options and potential. But mostly this affects the feeling of freedom, as the foundation on which the EU stands. We hope that this injustice and discrimination will end soon. When I say: soon, I mean this year, during the Czech Presidency of the EU. We strongly believe in what the EU represents as a project of political integration. Therefore, we hope that the EU will stand up for what is right and keep its promise as its credibility is at stake. Dear colleagues, A little over a year ago we met in the same place under challenging circumstances as a result of COVID-19. This year, as we hope that COVID-19 is a thing of the past, our continent is facing one of the greatest tragedies of our modern times. Russia's illegal and unprovoked war on Ukraine is taking a great number of human lives. While we have said 'never again' many times, history is repeating itself again on European soil. What is happening in Ukraine is a clear indication that freedom and democracy can never be taken for granted. As a result, this shows us the importance of alliances built on common values ​​and the urgency of their strengthening and further strengthening. This is no time for hesitation or guesswork. This war marks the trial of our time. You cannot pretend to be a friend of Europe and a friend of Russia at the same time. You cannot be a genocide denier and at the same time claim to promote the spirit and actions of solidarity and empathy. You cannot shake hands with the victim and the aggressor at the same time. Today we either choose to be on the right side of history or we are not, and there is no acceptable middle ground. In the face of Russia's aggression and hegemonic appetites, we cannot and must not remain passive or silent. I could not find more appropriate words than the words of President Clinton in 1999 when he spoke about what was happening in our region. He said: “Hesitating in moments when faced with an aggressor is equivalent to the act of giving permission to kill.” Therefore, the Republic of Kosovo has immediately coordinated the sanctions against Russia with those of the European Union and the United States. We know very well the tremendous suffering that wars bring; therefore we choose to promote and defend freedom. We know very well the feeling of being a victim of aggression and genocide; therefore we choose to promote and protect the peace. We know well the feeling of injustice, discrimination and oppression; therefore we choose democracy and respect for human rights. Changes in our continent's security architecture require bold, wise and timely action. The Euro-Atlantic Alliance has served as a guarantor and guardian of peace and stability on both sides of the ocean and in our region. NATO means security and security means development and prosperity. The more NATO's presence in our region has expanded, the stronger and more stable the security layer has become and the greater the contribution to peace and stability. Dear Presidents, Russia's illegal war on Ukraine is also affecting our energy and food security. Today, we face the prospect of a seriously challenging winter. As the days grow colder and winter approaches, the possibility of serious challenges to our energy systems becomes an ever greater threat. The European energy crisis is real and as such should serve as an impetus for the expansion of regional cooperation. The same applies in the case of food security. Guaranteeing supplies and ensuring sufficient food reserves for the coming months could
President Osmani's speech at the meeting of regional leaders of the Brdo-Brijuni Process

Honourable Presidents, Honourable Hosts, I want to thank you for welcoming us back to the beautiful Brdo Pri Kranju. As the Brdo-Brijuni Process marks its 11th anniversary, I would like to thank President Pahor and President Milanović for their leadership and vision to bring the Western Balkans region closer to the European Union. I believe that you all agree with the fact that President Pahor, in particular, has played an essential role in this initiative and that he is leaving behind an extraordinary legacy as a promoter of regional cooperation and the Euro-Atlantic future of our region. At the origin of this initiative lies the aspiration to increase trust between the countries of the region and contribution to the enlargement of the European Union with the countries of the Western Balkans. Today, a decade later, this initiative remains as important as it was in its genesis. For Kosovo, the future as a member of the European Union is a future that we will never give up. Although our region may have moved closer to the EU and we welcome the opening of negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, we strongly believe that the EU should accelerate the pace. It should be clear to all of us that it is only a European future for countries that aspire and coordinate policies with the European Union, for countries that are promoting and believe in the values ​​of the European Union, is the future that enables peace, stability and prosperity in the region and in Europe. I have said many times that there cannot be a whole, free, united and peaceful Europe without the Western Balkans as part of it. This is no longer a matter of meeting some technical criteria; this is a matter of fundamental importance in terms of geopolitics and security. Whenever we talk or think about the European Union, we think about the values ​​it represents and on which it is built. At their foundation lies respect for human rights and freedoms. Today those rights and freedoms continue to be denied to my people. We are in the year 2022 and it has already been 4 years since the European Commission confirmed that Kosovo has met all the criteria for visa liberalization. However, citizens of the Republic of Kosovo are still denied the right to travel freely within the EU. As you can imagine, this limits their options and potential. But mostly this affects the feeling of freedom, as the foundation on which the EU stands. We hope that this injustice and discrimination will end soon. When I say: soon, I mean this year, during the Czech Presidency of the EU. We strongly believe in what the EU represents as a project of political integration. Therefore, we hope that the EU will stand up for what is right and keep its promise as its credibility is at stake. Dear colleagues, A little over a year ago we met in the same place under challenging circumstances as a result of COVID-19. This year, as we hope that COVID-19 is a thing of the past, our continent is facing one of the greatest tragedies of our modern times. Russia's illegal and unprovoked war on Ukraine is taking a great number of human lives. While we have said 'never again' many times, history is repeating itself again on European soil. What is happening in Ukraine is a clear indication that freedom and democracy can never be taken for granted. As a result, this shows us the importance of alliances built on common values ​​and the urgency of their strengthening and further strengthening. This is no time for hesitation or guesswork. This war marks the trial of our time. You cannot pretend to be a friend of Europe and a friend of Russia at the same time. You cannot be a genocide denier and at the same time claim to promote the spirit and actions of solidarity and empathy. You cannot shake hands with the victim and the aggressor at the same time. Today we either choose to be on the right side of history or we are not, and there is no acceptable middle ground. In the face of Russia's aggression and hegemonic appetites, we cannot and must not remain passive or silent. I could not find more appropriate words than the words of President Clinton in 1999 when he spoke about what was happening in our region. He said: “Hesitating in moments when faced with an aggressor is equivalent to the act of giving permission to kill.” Therefore, the Republic of Kosovo has immediately coordinated the sanctions against Russia with those of the European Union and the United States. We know very well the tremendous suffering that wars bring; therefore we choose to promote and defend freedom. We know very well the feeling of being a victim of aggression and genocide; therefore we choose to promote and protect the peace. We know well the feeling of injustice, discrimination and oppression; therefore we choose democracy and respect for human rights. Changes in our continent's security architecture require bold, wise and timely action. The Euro-Atlantic Alliance has served as a guarantor and guardian of peace and stability on both sides of the ocean and in our region. NATO means security and security means development and prosperity. The more NATO's presence in our region has expanded, the stronger and more stable the security layer has become and the greater the contribution to peace and stability. Dear Presidents, Russia's illegal war on Ukraine is also affecting our energy and food security. Today, we face the prospect of a seriously challenging winter. As the days grow colder and winter approaches, the possibility of serious challenges to our energy systems becomes an ever greater threat. The European energy crisis is real and as such should serve as an impetus for the expansion of regional cooperation. The same applies in the case of food security. Guaranteeing supplies and ensuring sufficient food reserves for the coming months could
President Osmani met her counterparts from Albania and Montenegro

The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, met today on the side-lines of the meeting of leaders of the Brdo-Brijuni Process with her counterparts from Albania Bajram Begaj and as well Montenegro, Milo Đukanović.
President Osmani participates at the meeting of the presidents of the region of the Brdo-Brijuni process in Slovenia

The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, together with the presidents of the states of the region, will participate at the 11th meeting of the Brdo-Brijuni process.