President Osmani’s address at the constitutive meeting of the Council on Democracy and Human Rights
Distinguished guests, welcome to the inaugural meeting of the Council for Democracy and Human Rights; Honourable Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Konjufca, Honourable Prime Minister, Mr. Kurti, Honourable Head of the USAID in Kosovo, Zeinah Salahi, Honourable Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, Representatives of Justice Institutions, Independent institutions of the country, Distinguished representatives of the civil society, Dear media and all of you who are present here with us today, Welcome once again to the inaugural meeting of the Council on Democracy and Human Rights. On December 9th last year, Kosovo lined up next to the countries invited by President Biden to be part of the first edition of the summit for Democracy. The Summit for Democracy, an extremely apt initiative at a time when democracies around the world have become a direct target of increasingly authoritarian tendencies, is the platform that has united countries from all over the globe in their efforts to consolidate democratic values and to further promote and empower them. To work towards the strengthening of democracy and the spread of democratic values ​​means to work for the preservation of the pillars on which modern, prosperous societies are built and whose philosophy is focused on the preservation and promotion of human rights. Kosovo today is an example of a genuine democracy, but also an example of a country that constantly works to improve the level of democracy by focusing on protecting the interests of its citizens, but also becoming more and more empowered as a credible partner regionally and internationally. As I said in my speech on behalf of the Republic of Kosovo at the Summit for Democracy – Democracy is at the foundation of our society, it is deeply rooted in our historic struggle for freedom and human rights. But as important as our journey so far, our remaining path is just as important and strategic. Events in Europe today, but also in different parts of the world, prove to us that democracy is never a finished project. Rather, democracy requires constant maintenance in order to be sophisticated, advanced, and protected. In this spirit, and in accordance with the commitments of the Republic of Kosovo that we have presented during the Summit for Democracy, we are committed to establishing a coordinating council through which we will not only be committed to fulfilling the commitments as presented at the Summit for Democracy, but we will also work together to ensure full respect of democratic standards in any other strategic process for the country and for our citizens. Respectively, this Council that I have established will serve as a high-level coordination forum, whose primary purpose is to coordinate and manage the work towards the fulfilment of the commitments of the Republic of Kosovo within the Summit for Democracy, as well as the fulfilment of other commitments of institutions related to strengthening the rule of law, strengthening democracy, strengthening the role of women in Kosovo society, advancing human rights and freedoms, and cooperating with civil society and the media. Therefore, at the end of last month, by decree, I established the Council on Democracy and Human Rights, which is one of our commitments in order to support the work of all institutions in fulfilling their duties. But, at the same time, this Council is also our guarantee for the commitment and systematic and institutional coordination in terms of fulfilling the commitments also in cooperation with our international partners, and in particular with the United States of America. I am extremely pleased that this Council reflects in its structure the 3 main pillars of the commitments we made on December 9th, as following: The first pillar: the rule of law and the fight against corruption, The second pillar: the fight against authoritarianism, The third pillar: advancing human rights, diversity and inclusion with a focus on advancing women's rights and gender equality. As a result, we have sitting around this table with us today the: 1.1. The Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, as a Member of the Council; 1.2. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, as a Member of the Council; 1.3. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, as a Member of the Council; 1.4. Minister of Internal Affairs, as a Member of the Council; 1.5. Minister of Justice, as a Member of the Council; 1.6. People's Advocate, as a Member of the Council; 1.7. Chairman of the Central Election Commission, as a Member of the Council; 1.8. Chairman of the Kosovo Judicial Council, as a Member of the Council; 1.9. Chairman of the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council, as a Member of the Council; 1.10.Chairman of the Community Advisory Council, as a Member of the Council; 1.11.Director of the Anti-Corruption Agency, as a Member of the Council; 1.12.Chief of the Agency for Gender Equality, as a Member of the Council; Also, 3 representatives from civil society, who are also members of the Council, represent the field of rule of law, democratization and gender equality. Two representatives have already been selected in an open process, and through a competition, and for the third voting is underway within the Civikos civil society platform, and from the next meeting we will be joined by the third member selected by civil society itself. The composition of the Council can be expanded to include other members in order to ensure the comprehensiveness and rigorous implementation of the commitments made during the Summit for Democracy. All of us who are present are in the service of democracy every day, and each of us has the opportunity, mandate, and platforms available to contribute directly to the fulfilment of these commitments. I must say that I am extremely happy for the fact that from the first meeting of this Council we have the opportunity to report on very positive results and substantive achievements since at the very first 3 months of this year, for which I want to thank the relevant institutions. As the Council commences its work today,
President Osmani’s address at the constitutive meeting of the Council on Democracy and Human Rights
Distinguished guests, welcome to the inaugural meeting of the Council for Democracy and Human Rights; Honourable Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Konjufca, Honourable Prime Minister, Mr. Kurti, Honourable Head of the USAID in Kosovo, Zeinah Salahi, Honourable Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, Representatives of Justice Institutions, Independent institutions of the country, Distinguished representatives of the civil society, Dear media and all of you who are present here with us today, Welcome once again to the inaugural meeting of the Council on Democracy and Human Rights. On December 9th last year, Kosovo lined up next to the countries invited by President Biden to be part of the first edition of the summit for Democracy. The Summit for Democracy, an extremely apt initiative at a time when democracies around the world have become a direct target of increasingly authoritarian tendencies, is the platform that has united countries from all over the globe in their efforts to consolidate democratic values and to further promote and empower them. To work towards the strengthening of democracy and the spread of democratic values ​​means to work for the preservation of the pillars on which modern, prosperous societies are built and whose philosophy is focused on the preservation and promotion of human rights. Kosovo today is an example of a genuine democracy, but also an example of a country that constantly works to improve the level of democracy by focusing on protecting the interests of its citizens, but also becoming more and more empowered as a credible partner regionally and internationally. As I said in my speech on behalf of the Republic of Kosovo at the Summit for Democracy – Democracy is at the foundation of our society, it is deeply rooted in our historic struggle for freedom and human rights. But as important as our journey so far, our remaining path is just as important and strategic. Events in Europe today, but also in different parts of the world, prove to us that democracy is never a finished project. Rather, democracy requires constant maintenance in order to be sophisticated, advanced, and protected. In this spirit, and in accordance with the commitments of the Republic of Kosovo that we have presented during the Summit for Democracy, we are committed to establishing a coordinating council through which we will not only be committed to fulfilling the commitments as presented at the Summit for Democracy, but we will also work together to ensure full respect of democratic standards in any other strategic process for the country and for our citizens. Respectively, this Council that I have established will serve as a high-level coordination forum, whose primary purpose is to coordinate and manage the work towards the fulfilment of the commitments of the Republic of Kosovo within the Summit for Democracy, as well as the fulfilment of other commitments of institutions related to strengthening the rule of law, strengthening democracy, strengthening the role of women in Kosovo society, advancing human rights and freedoms, and cooperating with civil society and the media. Therefore, at the end of last month, by decree, I established the Council on Democracy and Human Rights, which is one of our commitments in order to support the work of all institutions in fulfilling their duties. But, at the same time, this Council is also our guarantee for the commitment and systematic and institutional coordination in terms of fulfilling the commitments also in cooperation with our international partners, and in particular with the United States of America. I am extremely pleased that this Council reflects in its structure the 3 main pillars of the commitments we made on December 9th, as following: The first pillar: the rule of law and the fight against corruption, The second pillar: the fight against authoritarianism, The third pillar: advancing human rights, diversity and inclusion with a focus on advancing women's rights and gender equality. As a result, we have sitting around this table with us today the: 1.1. The Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, as a Member of the Council; 1.2. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, as a Member of the Council; 1.3. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, as a Member of the Council; 1.4. Minister of Internal Affairs, as a Member of the Council; 1.5. Minister of Justice, as a Member of the Council; 1.6. People's Advocate, as a Member of the Council; 1.7. Chairman of the Central Election Commission, as a Member of the Council; 1.8. Chairman of the Kosovo Judicial Council, as a Member of the Council; 1.9. Chairman of the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council, as a Member of the Council; 1.10.Chairman of the Community Advisory Council, as a Member of the Council; 1.11.Director of the Anti-Corruption Agency, as a Member of the Council; 1.12.Chief of the Agency for Gender Equality, as a Member of the Council; Also, 3 representatives from civil society, who are also members of the Council, represent the field of rule of law, democratization and gender equality. Two representatives have already been selected in an open process, and through a competition, and for the third voting is underway within the Civikos civil society platform, and from the next meeting we will be joined by the third member selected by civil society itself. The composition of the Council can be expanded to include other members in order to ensure the comprehensiveness and rigorous implementation of the commitments made during the Summit for Democracy. All of us who are present are in the service of democracy every day, and each of us has the opportunity, mandate, and platforms available to contribute directly to the fulfilment of these commitments. I must say that I am extremely happy for the fact that from the first meeting of this Council we have the opportunity to report on very positive results and substantive achievements since at the very first 3 months of this year, for which I want to thank the relevant institutions. As the Council commences its work today,
Hero Agim Ramadani is a symbol of freedom, courage and unification
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani has commemorated on the 23rd anniversary of the fall the hero Agim Ramadani.
In honour of the Constitution Day President Osmani received the students of the Constitutional Department of the University of Prishtina
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, in honour of the Constitution Day received at a meeting a group of students of the field of Constitutional Law at the University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, accompanied by the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Mr. Avni Puka.
Presidentja Osmani përkujtoi 23-vjetorin e Masakrës në Lagje të Re dhe në Rakoc të Kaçanikut
President Osmani's address on the 23rd anniversary of the Battle of Koshare
Dear families of martyrs, our heroes! Honourable representatives of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, honourable members of the Assembly of Kosovo, ministers of the Government of Kosovo, Honourable Chairmen of Political Parties of the country, Honourable representatives of the Kosovo Security Force, KSF Generals, Many dear compatriots who have come from different countries of Europe, but also from further away to honour our heroes today, Honourable former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army, comrades of Agim Ramadani, Sali Çekaj and other martyrs, Dear brothers and sisters from the Republic of Albania! Distinguished representatives of local government, mayors and respectable participants; April 9th is a special day in the history of the Republic of Kosovo: it marks the frontal war in the wider region of the Koshare border belt, with the aim of expelling the Serbian occupying forces from the Albanian-Albanian border area and with the aim of liberating our country. This was one of the most glorious battles fought by the Kosovo Liberation Army, more precisely by the Third Operational Group, which consisted of the 131st and 134th Brigades and the Diversion-Observer Battalion, which later merged into the 138th Brigade. On April 9th as well, the constitution of our Republic was approved, thus symbolizing the goal for which many heroes such as Agim Ramadani, Salih Çekaj and many, many other martyrs were sacrificed in the glorious Koshare. They joined eternity along with the heroes and heroines of the rifle and pen who sacrificed themselves for the freedom and independence of our country. Therefore, while we congratulate today the Constitution Day, we also congratulate the symbolism of the liberation of Kosovo and honour the glorious battle of Koshare and the heroic fight of the Kosovo Liberation Army. The Constitution, the basic act of the state, is thus related to the battle for freedom, to its bloodshed and to the determination that the women and men of Kosovo openly expressed in the battle of Koshare. We have the Constitution and the state because we had our heroes. The Battle of Koshare also showed that inequality in armaments is not the defining key to wars. The fighting spirit, the determination to see the country free and the willingness to sacrifice everything for it are more powerful than any military arsenal. Therefore, today, we commemorate this battle as one of the proudest moments of our glorious history. This battle proved that freedom has no price, but also that the price of freedom we have paid as a people is extremely high. But it also showed that the determination to achieve freedom and also the spirit of a people are invincible. In its greatness, in the insurmountable and decisive role that this battle played in the KLA fight for freedom, it preserves a place of honour in our collective memory as a people. Without exaggeration, as the commander of the sabotage-observation battalion, Mr. Quni, it touches the boundaries of legends with the way it is organized. When the heroes Xhemajl Fetahaj and Milazim Shala fell in battle, less than three days later, they were replaced by their brothers, Xhevat Fetahaj and Xhevdet Shala, thus fulfilling the legends about renewal and our epic tradition in a real battle. Koshare raised hopes for freedom and complemented the symbolism of the eventual removal of iron barriers in twentieth-century Europe. Koshare was the seal of the missing freedom in Albanian lands. The sacrifice of Albanian sons and daughters from all lands testified to the incompatibility, but also the readiness of the Albanians to fight the injustices that had been done to them for many centuries. The breaking of the border between Kosovo and Albania on April 9th 1999, marked not only a moral victory for the KLA, but it paved the way for the supply of weapons and logistical support to many war zones inside Kosovo. Meanwhile, it raised the hope of thousands of deportees from the country that the iron line had been broken and a return to the land of the ancestors was not only possible but also inevitable. But Koshare also witnessed our early alliance with the West and with democratic countries around the world, the West which was found near our struggle for freedom at a difficult time in history, when the Albanian people were facing the genocide perpetrated against them by a killer regime whose trial is not yet complete and justice for the victims has not yet been put in place. Coordination with NATO experts to specify the location of Serbian forces in the territory of Kosovo was the first joint step in realizing our dream of joint affiliation and participation in military operations with NATO, which the Kosovo Security Force you are living it day by day. President Rugova's Euro-Atlantic vision and the sacrifice of the sons and daughters of the KLA are being realized in a free Kosovo, whose institutions are working to consolidate the country strongly in the community of Western values. This strategic determination of ours and this vision of ours would be impossible without the sacrifice of thousands of our sons and daughters, therefore the memory of them will be permanent. It will be renewed not only on anniversaries like this one today, but throughout our journey. We bow to them, to the sacrifice of Agim Ramadani, the sacrifice of Sali Çekaj, Xhemajl Fetahu and thousands of other martyrs who fell for the freedom of Kosovo. They stand on the foundations of our freedom and statehood. Institutional care to testify is essential. Likewise, care for the families of the martyrs, for the war invalids, for the veterans and for all those who gave everything for our state. The historical memory of Koshare, for the sacrifice and bravery shown there, is a necessity in building a state as our heroes wanted. Koshare will always remain our guiding light in every step forward towards the strengthening of our beloved state. Glory to the heroic
President Osmani's address on the 23rd anniversary of the Battle of Koshare
Dear families of martyrs, our heroes! Honourable representatives of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, honourable members of the Assembly of Kosovo, ministers of the Government of Kosovo, Honourable Chairmen of Political Parties of the country, Honourable representatives of the Kosovo Security Force, KSF Generals, Many dear compatriots who have come from different countries of Europe, but also from further away to honour our heroes today, Honourable former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army, comrades of Agim Ramadani, Sali Çekaj and other martyrs, Dear brothers and sisters from the Republic of Albania! Distinguished representatives of local government, mayors and respectable participants; April 9th is a special day in the history of the Republic of Kosovo: it marks the frontal war in the wider region of the Koshare border belt, with the aim of expelling the Serbian occupying forces from the Albanian-Albanian border area and with the aim of liberating our country. This was one of the most glorious battles fought by the Kosovo Liberation Army, more precisely by the Third Operational Group, which consisted of the 131st and 134th Brigades and the Diversion-Observer Battalion, which later merged into the 138th Brigade. On April 9th as well, the constitution of our Republic was approved, thus symbolizing the goal for which many heroes such as Agim Ramadani, Salih Çekaj and many, many other martyrs were sacrificed in the glorious Koshare. They joined eternity along with the heroes and heroines of the rifle and pen who sacrificed themselves for the freedom and independence of our country. Therefore, while we congratulate today the Constitution Day, we also congratulate the symbolism of the liberation of Kosovo and honour the glorious battle of Koshare and the heroic fight of the Kosovo Liberation Army. The Constitution, the basic act of the state, is thus related to the battle for freedom, to its bloodshed and to the determination that the women and men of Kosovo openly expressed in the battle of Koshare. We have the Constitution and the state because we had our heroes. The Battle of Koshare also showed that inequality in armaments is not the defining key to wars. The fighting spirit, the determination to see the country free and the willingness to sacrifice everything for it are more powerful than any military arsenal. Therefore, today, we commemorate this battle as one of the proudest moments of our glorious history. This battle proved that freedom has no price, but also that the price of freedom we have paid as a people is extremely high. But it also showed that the determination to achieve freedom and also the spirit of a people are invincible. In its greatness, in the insurmountable and decisive role that this battle played in the KLA fight for freedom, it preserves a place of honour in our collective memory as a people. Without exaggeration, as the commander of the sabotage-observation battalion, Mr. Quni, it touches the boundaries of legends with the way it is organized. When the heroes Xhemajl Fetahaj and Milazim Shala fell in battle, less than three days later, they were replaced by their brothers, Xhevat Fetahaj and Xhevdet Shala, thus fulfilling the legends about renewal and our epic tradition in a real battle. Koshare raised hopes for freedom and complemented the symbolism of the eventual removal of iron barriers in twentieth-century Europe. Koshare was the seal of the missing freedom in Albanian lands. The sacrifice of Albanian sons and daughters from all lands testified to the incompatibility, but also the readiness of the Albanians to fight the injustices that had been done to them for many centuries. The breaking of the border between Kosovo and Albania on April 9th 1999, marked not only a moral victory for the KLA, but it paved the way for the supply of weapons and logistical support to many war zones inside Kosovo. Meanwhile, it raised the hope of thousands of deportees from the country that the iron line had been broken and a return to the land of the ancestors was not only possible but also inevitable. But Koshare also witnessed our early alliance with the West and with democratic countries around the world, the West which was found near our struggle for freedom at a difficult time in history, when the Albanian people were facing the genocide perpetrated against them by a killer regime whose trial is not yet complete and justice for the victims has not yet been put in place. Coordination with NATO experts to specify the location of Serbian forces in the territory of Kosovo was the first joint step in realizing our dream of joint affiliation and participation in military operations with NATO, which the Kosovo Security Force you are living it day by day. President Rugova's Euro-Atlantic vision and the sacrifice of the sons and daughters of the KLA are being realized in a free Kosovo, whose institutions are working to consolidate the country strongly in the community of Western values. This strategic determination of ours and this vision of ours would be impossible without the sacrifice of thousands of our sons and daughters, therefore the memory of them will be permanent. It will be renewed not only on anniversaries like this one today, but throughout our journey. We bow to them, to the sacrifice of Agim Ramadani, the sacrifice of Sali Çekaj, Xhemajl Fetahu and thousands of other martyrs who fell for the freedom of Kosovo. They stand on the foundations of our freedom and statehood. Institutional care to testify is essential. Likewise, care for the families of the martyrs, for the war invalids, for the veterans and for all those who gave everything for our state. The historical memory of Koshare, for the sacrifice and bravery shown there, is a necessity in building a state as our heroes wanted. Koshare will always remain our guiding light in every step forward towards the strengthening of our beloved state. Glory to the heroic
President Osmani’s message on the occasion of the Constitution Day of the Republic of Kosovo
Today, on Constitution Day, we recall the long and painful sacrifice of our people, so that one day, in the constitution of our country, the dream of living free can be fulfilled.
President Osmani: The Battle of Koshare, the seal of the missing freedom
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani participated at the marking of the anniversary of the Battle of Koshare entitled “Ditët e shqipes”, held under Madam President's patronage.
On the eve of the Battle of Koshare anniversary, President Osmani decorates post mortem 5 soldiers of the KLA Brigade 138 “Agim Ramadani”
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, on the eve of the Battle of Koshare anniversary, today decorated post mortem with Presidential Medal five soldiers of KLA Brigade 138 “Agim Ramadani”.