Acting President Haxhiu received the credentials of the new Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Kosovo, Ms. Astrid de Vries
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, received today the credentials of the new Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Kosovo, Ms. Astrid de Vries, welcoming her and wishing her great success in her diplomatic mission. “Kosovo and the Netherlands have built excellent relations and a friendship based on trust and cooperation over the years. The Netherlands has stood by Kosovo during important stages of our journey and continues to strongly support our European and Euro-Atlantic future,” said Acting President Haxhiu. Acting President Haxhiu and Ambassador de Vries discussed opportunities to further expand this cooperation in the areas of economy, education, culture, security, and other fields of mutual interest. “I wished Ambassador de Vries success in her new tenure and assured her of my full cooperation in further expansion of the relations between Kosovo and the Netherlands,” emphasized Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu: today, Kosovo lost Flora Brovina, the woman who dedicated her entire life to her people and her country
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, stated that today Kosovo lost Flora Brovina, the woman who dedicated her entire life to her people and her country. “A physician, humanitarian, and human rights activist, she stood by children and families during Kosovo’s most difficult years. She organized, provided aid, protested, and raised her voice against violence and repression, turning public engagement into a daily form of resistance. Even when this brought her into direct confrontation with the Serbian regime, she did not back down,” emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. She further noted that in the spring of 1999, Brovina was arrested and sent to prisons in Serbia, where she was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment. “Even there, she did not abandon her convictions. International human rights organizations, writers, and institutions from various countries around the world campaigned for Flora Brovina’s release. She was a political prisoner, a KLA war veteran, and part of the generation that sacrificed so much for Kosovo’s freedom,” highlighted Acting President Haxhiu. According to her, Flora Brovina was also a distinctive voice in Albanian literature. “In the verses she wrote, womanhood, childhood, pain, birth, loss, and freedom took the form of lived experiences. Her poetry possessed the gentleness of a physician, the sensitivity of a woman, and the resilience of someone who had endured profound challenges. After the war, she continued her engagement in the country’s institutional life. For years, she served as a Member of the Assembly of Kosovo and was a signatory to the Declaration of Independence,” said Acting President Haxhiu. The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, extended her deepest condolences to the Brovina and Begu families, as well as to friends, colleagues, and all those who knew and esteemed her. “May the memory of Flora Brovina be eternal,” said Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu participated at the concluding day of “Women’s Week”
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, participated today at the concluding day of “Women’s Week,” an event organized by the NDI. In her address to the participants, Acting President Haxhiu thanked the National Democratic Institute (NDI) for its engagements within the Republic of Kosovo and for this significant program—which has for years brought together women and men from institutions, political parties, municipalities, civil society, the media, and diverse communities to meet, debate, and collaborate. She also expressed her gratitude to the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, and the Embassy of Canada for supporting this initiative. She noted that this year’s theme, “Power in Partnership: From Dialogue to Action,” links gender equality to the quality of our democracy, adding that a democratic society listens to everyone’s voices and provides them with the opportunity to influence the decisions being made. “However, equality is not measured solely by the number of women present in a room, on an electoral list, or within an institution. It is, above all, measured by their power to lead, to make decisions, and to bring about change or directly influence the lives of the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo,” emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. According to her, dialogue is valuable when it brings about change—specifically, when citizens’ concerns translate into decisions and budgetary allocations, and when rights enshrined in law are implemented in everyday life. Acting President Haxhiu stated that, for this reason, cooperation between central institutions and municipalities is of great importance. She also said that citizens should not have to waste time figuring out which institution bears responsibility; rather, they expect institutions to cooperate and resolve the problems they face. “This applies especially to women. An entrepreneur looking to expand her business deals simultaneously with the municipality and central institutions, just as a municipal assembly member does when she seeks to see an initiative of hers through to implementation. Therefore, women’s experiences must be taken into account from the very beginning—when laws, budgets, and public services are being drafted—rather than being added as an afterthought. When women participate in decision-making, institutions gain a clearer view of the reality they are addressing. The position of women in society changes slowly because it is shaped simultaneously across schools, workplaces, and public life; when only one of these areas changes, the others often hold women back in their previous position,” stated Acting President Haxhiu. Furthermore, Acting President Haxhiu noted that girls successfully complete their schooling and university studies, women launch and lead businesses, and our schools and health centers function largely thanks to their extraordinary work. “However, the higher up we look within institutions and companies, the less frequently we find their names at the top. Gender quotas have brought women into municipal assemblies and the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, yet challenges persist; we do not see women heading electoral lists or running for mayor,” emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. She said that Majlinda Kelmendi, Distria Krasniqi, and Nora Gjakova were the first to win Olympic gold medals for Kosovo, while Donjeta Sadiku won gold at the Mediterranean Games held recently in Taranto, adding that girls starting sports today have role models that previous generations lacked. “These examples demonstrate that talent and ability exist. The question is whether our institutions, political parties, and society provide women with equal opportunities to showcase that talent in politics, the economy, and public life in general. Equality takes time, but it also requires decisions. It is our responsibility—as institutions and political parties—to ensure women have the same opportunities as men. For parties, this means having more women at the top of electoral lists and competing for public office. The decisions we make today must shorten this process,” asserted Acting President Haxhiu. Acting President Haxhiu further stated that the safety of women in public life must also be addressed. “Women in politics, journalism, and civil society are frequently targeted on social media. They are attacked based on their gender, appearance, families, and private lives, rather than for their work or the positions they hold. A society—a democracy—cannot be truly free if a segment of its citizens pays a higher price for speaking out publicly. No woman should be forced to choose between participating in public life and her safety, dignity, or integrity,” emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. She added that institutions have a duty to protect these women so they can continue their work without fear, and that the same standard must apply to all. “Political parties, the media, and each and every one of us bear the responsibility of ensuring that hate speech and the intimidation of women and girls in public life does not become a norm. Therefore, I invite you to cooperate in this regard, as well as to stand in solidarity and support one another, because the response to threats and violence must never depend on the name, party, or profession of the woman being attacked. The standard must be the same for everyone,” said Acting President Haxhiu. Acting President Haxhiu stated that “Women’s Week” brings together women and men from diverse parties, municipalities, and communities. She further noted that while we may not agree on everything in a democracy—something she views as normal—we must recognize the need to work together on issues that affect the lives and dignity of citizens. “As I mentioned, a woman leading a business, a school, or an institution expects clear rules and equal treatment from institutions—regardless of political divisions or differences, as well as gender or ethnic distinctions. Institutions exist to serve everyone equally. Throughout this year, Women’s Week has fostered discussions and formulated recommendations based on the experiences of women and their communities. Its success will be measured by how many of these recommendations translate into concrete decisions within municipal assemblies and other responsible institutions, the extent of budgetary support they receive, and the degree to which they alter the reality on the ground—thereby directly impacting the lives of girls and women
Acting President Haxhiu: Following the nomination by the VETËVENDOSJE! Movement, I have designated Mr. Albin Kurti as Prime Minister-designate to form the Government of the Republic of Kosovo
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and following the nomination by the VETËVENDOSJE! Movement, has designated Mr. Albin Kurti as Prime Minister-designate to form the Government of the Republic of Kosovo. “I wish Mr. Kurti success in fulfilling the responsibilities arising from the trust placed in him by the citizens, and in forming the Government as swiftly as possible, in the service of the Republic of Kosovo and its citizens”, said Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu: The September 11 attack was an attack on freedom, democracy and human dignity
Acting President Albulena Haxhiu, together with Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, paid tribute at the “Kosova Kujton” memorial, dedicated to the victims of September 11 in the USA. In her remarks, Acting President Haxhiu said that twenty-five years ago, September 11 began as a completely ordinary morning. “This is also how the US Commission of Inquiry Report on September 11 begins. Tuesday, September 11, 2001, dawned with mild weather and clear skies in the eastern United States. Millions of people were getting ready for work. Some headed toward the Twin Towers in New York, others toward the Pentagon. People were lining up to visit the White House. President George W. Bush had gone for an early morning run. At 8:46, the first plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. In Kosovo, it was 2:46 p.m. Just two minutes later, the first television broadcasts began showing images of the North Tower in flames. While the broadcast continued live, at 9:03 New York time, the second plane hit the South Tower,” said Acting President Haxhiu. According to her, from New York to Prishtina, people remained glued to their screens, watching the same tragedy unfold as it was happening. She further said that that American morning, which had begun with clear skies and people heading to work, in a matter of minutes became the morning that divided time into before and after September 11. “In those hours of terror and chaos, the willingness of people to help one another was also seen, without having time to think long about the danger, themselves or the consequences. It was seen in the firefighters entering buildings while others were trying to get out, in the police officers and rescue teams, in the passengers who decided to act, and in ordinary people helping one another,” emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. According to Acting President Haxhiu, the September 11 attacks were an attack on the United States of America, but the pain nevertheless immediately crossed its borders, adding that in cities around the world people gathered in silence, lit candles and sent messages of condolence. “In Prishtina and in other cities across Kosovo, people took to the streets to express solidarity with the American people. They lit candles, gathered at rallies and marches, and came forward to donate blood. The streets were filled with citizens carrying American flags and banners reading “America, we stand with you”, as a sign of solidarity with the American people on that day of mourning. Kosovo in 2001 was still recovering from the war. Just two years earlier, the United States had stood by us during one of the most difficult periods in our history. Our stories are different and each carries its own pain, but from our own recent experience, we knew the weight of a friend’s presence in the most difficult days,” Acting President Haxhiu said. She said that when America was attacked on September 11, the citizens of Kosovo did not experience it as the tragedy of another country, a distant country. “The pain of that day entered our homes, our conversations and was experienced with a special sense of closeness, like the pain of losing a great friend. The attack itself was understood as an attack on freedom, democracy and human dignity, values that had also been at the foundation of American support for Kosovo. Some citizens of Kosovo went as far as the American Office in Prishtina and volunteered to fight alongside American soldiers. It was an extraordinary and spontaneous response, showing how deeply Kosovo felt America’s pain,” Acting President Haxhiu emphasized. Acting President Haxhiu said that twenty-five years after September 11, we have a generation that did not live through that day; for them, September 11 is history learned from the accounts of those who experienced it, from photographs and from images that have remained etched in the world’s memory. “This is also why, after a quarter of a century, it is not enough just to remember those who lost their lives. We must also tell those who came after what happened that day, how quickly the ordinary course of life can be disrupted, but also how much one person can do for another in the most difficult moments. Younger generations must also know that the solidarity of those days quickly turned into political action. NATO, for the first time in its history, invoked Article 5, according to which an attack against one ally is considered an attack against all,” stated Acting President Haxhiu. Acting President Haxhiu further said that twenty-five years later, memory takes us back once again to that clear morning and to the 2,977 people who started an ordinary day but never returned home, it takes us back to their families and to all those who, amid the fire and chaos, risked their lives to save someone else’s life. “Kosovo felt its pain then and shares its memory today, honouring the victims and preserving that same closeness that was demonstrated during the most difficult days for our two countries. May the memory of the victims of September 11 be eternal,” said Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu attended the celebration of Swiss National Day
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, attended this evening’s celebration of Swiss National Day. Over the years, Kosovo has forged a special bond with Switzerland, founded on friendship, cooperation and, above all, the ties between our people. “In my address, I highlighted that, for many families in Kosovo, Switzerland has long been part of everyday life. Many of our relatives and friends have lived in Switzerland for years, and entire generations have grown up there while maintaining strong ties with Kosovo. These close connections between our people have ensured that Switzerland has never felt far away”, said Acting President Haxhiu. She further emphasized that Kosovo remembers Switzerland’s support during the most difficult years of our history and its continued contribution to building institutions, developing the country and supporting our citizens. According to Acting President Haxhiu, our relationship today continues to grow through cooperation in politics, security, education, the economy and culture, but above all through the people who connect our two countries. “I highlighted that the contribution of Kosovo Albanians in Switzerland is now evident in many areas. Football is perhaps the most visible example, but fortunately, it is not the only one. From politics to science, people such as Ylfete Fanaj and Ardian Jusufi demonstrate that those who once found refuge and opportunity in Switzerland now actively contribute to its development and success. I expressed pride in these stories and gratitude to Switzerland, where many of our people found safety, built their lives and became an important part of Swiss society”, underlined Acting President Haxhiu. Finally, Acting President Haxhiu wished the Swiss people peace, prosperity and good health, and thanked our Swiss friends in Kosovo for their friendship and their important role in our country’s journey.
Acting President Haxhiu received the credentials of the new ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Republic of Kosovo, Mr.. Arnaud Dusaucy
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, today received the credentials of the new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Republic of Kosovo, Mr.. Arnaud Dusaucy, whom she welcomed and wished every success in his diplomatic mission. “Over the years, Kosovo and Belgium have built excellent relations founded on friendship, partnership and Belgium’s continued support for our country, from the wartime period and its early recognition of Kosovo’s independence to the state-building and Euro-Atlantic integration processes”, Acting President Haxhiu emphasized. During the meeting, the parties discussed opportunities to further deepen political and economic cooperation, increase exchanges and investment, and advance Kosovo’s European and Euro-Atlantic perspective. “I expressed my conviction that, during Ambassador Dusaucy’s tenure, we will further advance relations between our two countries and open up new areas of cooperation for the benefit of our citizens”, Acting President Haxhiu stated.
Acting President Haxhiu receives the credentials of the new Ambassador of the Republic of France to the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Jean-François Huchet
Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, today received the credentials of the new Ambassador of the Republic of France to the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Jean-François Huchet. On this occasion, Acting President Haxhiu welcomed Ambassador Jean-François Huchet to Kosovo and wished him every success in his diplomatic mission, expressing her conviction that, during his mandate, the relations between our two countries will be further strengthened. “Kosovo highly values France’s friendship and support, both during the war and throughout the years of state-building. Today, our relations are founded on broad cooperation in the political, economic, security, education and cultural fields,” Acting President Haxhiu emphasized. Opportunities to further expand this cooperation were also addressed at the meeting, particularly following the recent agreements between Kosovo and France, which create new opportunities for cooperation. “I wished Ambassador Huchet a successful mandate and assured him of my full commitment to further strengthening the partnership between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of France,” Acting President Haxhiu said.
Acting President Haxhiu: The Kaçanik Constitution was the response of a people who refused to give up their right to define their own destiny
Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, said that on September 7, 1990, amid severe repression and political persecution, the delegates of the Assembly of Kosovo gathered in Kaçanik and adopted the Kaçanik Constitution, providing a constitutional basis for the will expressed on July 2 for Kosovo to become a republic. “As Serbia was dismantling Kosovo’s autonomy, abolishing its institutions and attempting to forcibly subjugate the political will of its citizens, the Kaçanik Constitution was the response of a people who refused to give up their right to define their own destiny. It is for this reason that its significance goes beyond the legal text adopted that day. It demonstrates that even under conditions of occupation and repression, Kosovo had the people, the knowledge and the will to give legal form to its political determination,” Acting President Haxhiu said. She further added that behind its drafting was the work of jurists who, under extraordinary circumstances, built a constitutional order based on the will of the people of Kosovo, while the vote of the delegates embodied the courage of a generation that assumed the responsibility of giving the demand for a republic the form of a constitutional act. “The path that began with the July 2 Declaration and took constitutional form on September 7 continued through the resistance of the people of Kosovo, the liberation war and the sacrifice of many generations, leading to the liberation of the country and the declaration of independence on February 17, 2008,” Acting President Haxhiu emphasized. Acting President Haxhiu further said that today, on the anniversary of the Kaçanik Constitution, we honour its drafters, the delegates who adopted it, and all those who, during the most difficult years, kept the demand for a republic alive. “What took constitutional form on September 7, 1990, was a political determination that the history of Kosovo would carry forward toward independence and statehood,” Acting President Haxhiu highlighted.
Acting President Haxhiu: The Kosovo Police is one of the main pillars of our state
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, attended the ceremony marking the 27th anniversary of the establishment of the Kosovo Police, where she commended the institution’s contribution to maintaining public order, security, and the sovereignty of the Republic. In her address, Acting President Haxhiu recalled that the Kosovo Police was established only a few months after the liberation, on 6 September 1999, when 176 cadets started their training in Vushtrri as its first generation. “Liberation was not the end of the road. It was the beginning of a great responsibility to build a state in the service of its citizens, one that would protect their lives and dignity, and where the law would be equal for all. Therefore, the history of the Kosovo Police is an inseparable part of Kosovo’s journey as a free country,” said Acting President Haxhiu. She highlighted that, from the first 176 cadets to more than 9,000 police officers serving today, the Kosovo Police has grown and professionalized alongside the state. Referring to the high level of citizens’ trust in the Kosovo Police, Acting President Haxhiu said that this trust is both an assessment and a responsibility. “Citizens’ trust is not a permanent privilege of any institution. It is earned through hard work, preserved through integrity, and demonstrated every day through the way we treat citizens and enforce the law,” she said. Acting President Haxhiu also commended the development of the Kosovo Police’s professional and operational capacities in the fight against organized crime, human trafficking, terrorism, economic and cybercrime, and smuggling, as well as its ever-expanding cooperation with European security partners. She reaffirmed the importance of the Republic of Kosovo’s membership in INTERPOL, emphasizing that Kosovo’s full inclusion in international security mechanisms is in the shared interest of combating international crime. Acting President Haxhiu devoted a special part of her address to police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. “Over the course of 27 years, 25 police officers have lost their lives in the line of duty. They are not only part of the history of the Kosovo Police, but also of the history of the Republic and of the freedom we enjoy today,” said Acting President Haxhiu. She specifically mentioned Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku, who was killed on 24 September 2023 in Banjska during the terrorist attack, emphasizing that he fell while defending the Republic of Kosovo. Acting President Haxhiu expressed her respect and gratitude to the families of all police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, as well as to every member of the Kosovo Police who continues to serve in the protection of citizens and the Republic. “Many of the cases in which you come to the aid of citizens never make the news, and the public will never hear about many of them. But this does not diminish the importance of your work. Whenever the constitutional order, the security of citizens, and the sovereignty of the Republic of Kosovo have been under threat, members of the Police have been at the forefront of their duty,” she said. In conclusion, Acting President Haxhiu underlined that the Kosovo Police is one of the main pillars of the state, and that strengthening it, safeguarding its integrity, and supporting its professionalism remain institutional responsibilities. “The history of the Kosovo Police is the history of building our state; it is a history of hard work, sacrifice, professionalism, and of the people who have chosen to serve in one of the most demanding duties that can be asked of a citizen,” said Acting President Haxhiu. She congratulated all members of the Kosovo Police on the 27th anniversary of its establishment and paid tribute to the memory of police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.