President Osmani’s address at the special event held in honour of our multiple Champion, Majlinda Kelmendi
Dear Majlinda! Dear Majlinda's family Distinguished Representatives of all the institutions of the country! Mr. Minister! Madam President! Representatives of the political parties! Honourable Ambassadors! Members of Parliament! Honourable Driton and Agron Kuka! Thank you all wholeheartedly for your presence here tonight! Dear guests! She is rightly considered a legend of the sport of judo. She is rightly considered the heroine of Kosovo. In three decades of her life, she became the face of today's Kosovo, which made our state as we want it. The blue-yellow flag waved to the summits alongside the flags of the largest states around the globe, thanks to her triumph. It kept us in fever, made us cry with joy, made us feel honored, made us proud. Thirty years old is the heroine and the pride of our country. She is not only a world-renowned judoka, not only a world champion with two titles from the world championships, and not only a judoka with four European titles and an Olympic gold medal and not only a winner in the Grand Slam, Grand Prix and Masters. She has in fact challenged the sport of judo with everything that can be won, and has won all that can be won! She is our dream come true, she is our heroine! Kosovo was represented for the first time at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games by Majlinda and for the first time ever she brought Kosovo its first gold medal. Thanks to her dedication, the flag of the Republic of Kosovo waved for the first time at the Olympic Games. She is the first to echo the name of our small country, the state dominated by her peers. This invincible force with consecutive successes was and will be an inspiration for the girls of Kosovo and beyond. This is Majlinda Kelmendi! Much more than the prizes she has won. Distinguished guests, Without Majlinda and the courage to conquer new horizons, without the role model she became to our young people, today we would have neither Distria nor Nora, or many other girls as well. The fastest man in the world, Eric Liddle, who is known as the “flying Scotsman”, says that in the dust of defeat as well as the laurels of victory there is a glory to be found if one has done his best! Majlinda has given her best, she has shone by putting Kosovo on the world map of judo with her fighting spirit, discipline and immense dedication and the love for her country and her people. A little girl with a big soul is no longer just history, it is courage, motivation and hope that breaks stereotypes, whatever they are. Her triumph proved that there are no small states that cannot win in the sport of judo, just as there are no girls that cannot triumph in this sport. Majlinda did both. Demonstrated the power of a girl, as well as the power of a state, for which we will always be grateful! The dream started at the age of 8 when she started her journey in the sport of judo, which she fulfilled with perseverance. She represented the state with dignity, was stoic, fought well and eventually won. She was not seduced by the many enticing financial offers to wear the jersey of any other country but decided to stay with unparalleled fidelity to the colours of her native country – Kosovo. Led by Coach Driton Kuka, Majlinda testified that Kosovar girls can also play a sport, which is traditionally considered boys sport. Of course, this is an extraordinary success under the leadership of a professional, adamant and visionary coach as Toni Kuka is, but also of a leader of the Judo Federation, as is Agron Kuka. Toni is the deserving man, who has aroused the passion for judo not only in Majlinda, but also in many other girls and boys, turning Kosovo into the main competitor of Japan, the country where the sport of judo was born. Therefore, Tony and Agron, thank you for excelling us as a state, for elevating us, and for making us proud alongside the most powerful states in this sporting discipline. But, just like in the process of independence of the country, in judo too Kosovo could not achieve success without the support of friends. The man who did a lot for the judo of Kosovo, but also for Majlinda, is in particular the president of the World Judo Federation, Marius Vizer, and just as rightly, the road leading to the National Judo Centre in Peja, bears his name as a sign of permanent respect for him. Mr. Vizer, the people of Kosovo will always be grateful for the opportunity you have given to Majlinda, judo and the state of Kosovo to excel in international arena. Dear participants, Today we are here to open a new chapter of Majlinda. As she left a successful career in active sports, Majlinda will henceforth continue her journey in other engagements in sports, where I strongly believe that again she will be the unsurpassed address of the success. She deserves any reward, she deserves every reward. We will never be able to repay her for the emotions, for the pride and for the dignity that she gave to us. She encouraged us as a small country to face the powers in the sport of judo. She dared to make her and our state's dream a reality. Therefore, as a brave woman, there is no other way to end this life chapter of hers, except with an honour, which I am bestowing on her today. Like our heroine Shotë Galica in rifle battles, Majlinda in sports battles kept alive the inspiration for generations, our national pride, defended our dignity and waved high the flag of the state of Kosovo. Therefore, I humbly say, thank you Majlinda! I invite you on stage to receive the Order that bears the name of Shotë
President Osmani: Senator Bob Dole never stopped supporting Kosovo
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani accompanied by the Speaker of the Assembly Glauk Konjufca, Prime Minister Albin Kurti and the Charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Kosovo, Nicholas J. Giacobbe, laid a wreath and paid homage today at the bust of Senator Bob Dole.
President: Improving the position of people with special needs in our society is ultimately improving our collective well-being
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, said today on the day of people with special needs that she is with her mind and heart in every school, in every institution, and in every public space where children and adults with special needs still face many challenges in terms of access, mobility and the opportunity to enjoy multiple experiences as most citizens do.
President Osmani awarded the “Saint Tereza” Presidential Medal to the “Gift of Life International”, doctor Mazllum Belegu and humanitarian Albana Krasniqi
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, with the motivation for high humanism and professional commitment to the life and the health of children in Kosovo, awarded today the “Saint Tereza” Presidential Medal to “Gift of Life International”, and their representative for Kosovo, prof. Dr. Mazllum Belegu and the member of the Board of this organization Albana Krasniqi.
The President: Today is the birthday of the creator of our independent Republic, the historic President of Kosovo Dr. Ibrahim Rugova
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani commemorated the historic President of Kosovo Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, on his birthday.
President Osmani received the ombudsmen from Kosovo, Albania and Northern Macedonia
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received today at a meeting
Kosovo's Ombudsman Mr. Naim Qelaj, the Albanian Ombudsman Mrs. Erinda Ballanca
and the Ombudsman of Northern Macedonia Mr. Naser Zyberi accompanied by the
Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination of the Republic of Albania Mr. Robert
Gajda.
President Osmani appoints Major General Bashkim Jashari as the new KSF commander
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, and at the same time the supreme commander of the Kosovo Security Forces has appointed Major General Bashkim Jashari as the new commander of the Kosovo Security Force, in compliance with her constitutional competencies. The appointment was made as prescribed by the law on the KSF, following the proposal made by the Minister of Defense and the recommendation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo. Prior to the appointment of the new KSF Commander, the President of the Republic of Kosovo, based on legal provisions, decreed the discharge of the current KSF Commander Lieutenant General Rrahman Rama after the presentation of the resignation by his side.
President Osmani received the President of Slovenia, Borut Pahor
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, received today the President of Slovenia, Borut Pahor.
Speech by President Osmani at the reception organized by the Embassy of Albania on the occasion of November 28
Highly esteemed attendees, Honourable Ambassador Minxhozi, Honourable representatives of institutions, Mr. Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Konjufca! Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Albin Kurti! Distinguished Ambassadors! Representatives of all institutions in the country! Deputies! Representatives of the religious clergy! Media representatives! Dear guests! Happy Flag Day to all from the bottom of my heart. It is a holiday that always brings us together, and a holiday that Albanians are proud of wherever they are, whether being in Kosovo, Albania, Northern Macedonia, Montenegro or other countries where our compatriots live. November in our national holiday calendar is a rightly marked month. Because, each of us, on November 28, feels proud of this flag, which is a narrator, a narrator not only of our history but also a narrator of our bright future. It is the flag that makes us all Albanians proud wherever we are and before which we bow because a lot has been sacrificed for it. The red and black flag is a symbol of the resistance and determination of the Albanian people for freedom, continuous inspiration for the freedom of the Republic of Kosovo. Declaration of the Independence of Albania and raising the flag in Vlora are sacred acts of our common history, built by the hard work and sacrifice of many men and women. Our history is truly painful, challenging, but also bright and proud. On the one hand, while Albania was challenged and tried to consolidate as a state over the years, Kosovo continued its struggle for freedom and independence. And today, they both, side by side as sovereign and independent states are moving towards the European integration process. Many patriotic women and men like Ismail Qemajli, Isa Boletini did not stop working for Albania to “become self-determined, free and independent”, as stated in the Declaration of Independence of 28 November 1912. Today, we are here together, Albanians from Albania, Albanians from Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and other countries, to toast the 109th anniversary of Albania's independence, see each other, communicate, be educated, exchange ideas, exchange goods, cultural and sports activities because this obstacle-free cooperation is required by our citizens. Today, we are here because we want to convey a message: that of the spirit of integration, of further facilitating the lives of citizens here and there, of removing barriers of any kind, and affirming the European spirit that unites us. We are here because not just Flag Day brings us together! This date has a much more historical weight because as mentioned earlier in addition to Skanderbeg November 28, today we mark November 28 as the birthday of the legendary commander Adem Jashari and on the same day, the Kosovo Liberation Army appeared publicly for the first time. All these events give a much greater meaning to November because they carry in themselves the spirit of freedom and the ideal of many generations. Dear attendees! On this Flag Day anniversary, I feel proud that Albania and Kosovo, despite the challenges, are moving with confident steps towards the European perspective. I wish and rejoice that Albania and Kosovo succeed in all areas of common interest! Kosovo, of course, will continue to be on Albania’s side for the benefit of common interest, further deepening our fraternal and strategic ties! We have a common goal. This goal is called the European Union. We must demonstrate the will and courage that the day when we meet in the EU is not far off. The path is difficult, but just as the dream of generations for our free, independent states has come true, so will the day come when we will sit at a common table in the European Union. Until then, we have to work with honour and on this side and that side of Drin, to strengthen our states in all areas, and remove all barriers to cooperation. We have to serve with dignity and love to advance our countries, where citizens will feel proud, free, descent and equal and will be competitive in the European labour market! Happy Flag Day, happy Independence Day of Albania! God bless the Republic of Albania! God bless the Republic of Kosovo and all Albanians wherever they live!
Speech by President Osmani at the reception organized by the Embassy of Albania on the occasion of November 28
Highly esteemed attendees, Honourable Ambassador Minxhozi, Honourable representatives of institutions, Mr. Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Konjufca! Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Albin Kurti! Distinguished Ambassadors! Representatives of all institutions in the country! Deputies! Representatives of the religious clergy! Media representatives! Dear guests! Happy Flag Day to all from the bottom of my heart. It is a holiday that always brings us together, and a holiday that Albanians are proud of wherever they are, whether being in Kosovo, Albania, Northern Macedonia, Montenegro or other countries where our compatriots live. November in our national holiday calendar is a rightly marked month. Because, each of us, on November 28, feels proud of this flag, which is a narrator, a narrator not only of our history but also a narrator of our bright future. It is the flag that makes us all Albanians proud wherever we are and before which we bow because a lot has been sacrificed for it. The red and black flag is a symbol of the resistance and determination of the Albanian people for freedom, continuous inspiration for the freedom of the Republic of Kosovo. Declaration of the Independence of Albania and raising the flag in Vlora are sacred acts of our common history, built by the hard work and sacrifice of many men and women. Our history is truly painful, challenging, but also bright and proud. On the one hand, while Albania was challenged and tried to consolidate as a state over the years, Kosovo continued its struggle for freedom and independence. And today, they both, side by side as sovereign and independent states are moving towards the European integration process. Many patriotic women and men like Ismail Qemajli, Isa Boletini did not stop working for Albania to “become self-determined, free and independent”, as stated in the Declaration of Independence of 28 November 1912. Today, we are here together, Albanians from Albania, Albanians from Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and other countries, to toast the 109th anniversary of Albania's independence, see each other, communicate, be educated, exchange ideas, exchange goods, cultural and sports activities because this obstacle-free cooperation is required by our citizens. Today, we are here because we want to convey a message: that of the spirit of integration, of further facilitating the lives of citizens here and there, of removing barriers of any kind, and affirming the European spirit that unites us. We are here because not just Flag Day brings us together! This date has a much more historical weight because as mentioned earlier in addition to Skanderbeg November 28, today we mark November 28 as the birthday of the legendary commander Adem Jashari and on the same day, the Kosovo Liberation Army appeared publicly for the first time. All these events give a much greater meaning to November because they carry in themselves the spirit of freedom and the ideal of many generations. Dear attendees! On this Flag Day anniversary, I feel proud that Albania and Kosovo, despite the challenges, are moving with confident steps towards the European perspective. I wish and rejoice that Albania and Kosovo succeed in all areas of common interest! Kosovo, of course, will continue to be on Albania’s side for the benefit of common interest, further deepening our fraternal and strategic ties! We have a common goal. This goal is called the European Union. We must demonstrate the will and courage that the day when we meet in the EU is not far off. The path is difficult, but just as the dream of generations for our free, independent states has come true, so will the day come when we will sit at a common table in the European Union. Until then, we have to work with honour and on this side and that side of Drin, to strengthen our states in all areas, and remove all barriers to cooperation. We have to serve with dignity and love to advance our countries, where citizens will feel proud, free, descent and equal and will be competitive in the European labour market! Happy Flag Day, happy Independence Day of Albania! God bless the Republic of Albania! God bless the Republic of Kosovo and all Albanians wherever they live!