The President: Once upon a time other countries were to us, but today we are able to become a temporary home to those who left theirs behind
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani accompanied by the US Embassy Charge d'Affaires Mr. Nicholas Giacobbe, visited Camp Liya today.
President Osmani meets with the EU official Mr. Marko Makovec, support given to vetting
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, received today at a meeting Mr. Marko Makovec, Director at the EU European External Action Service.
President Vjosa Osmani’s statement at the press conference
Dear citizens, Dear media representatives, thank you for being here today, I have called this press conference to discuss certain issues that have been addressed by the European Commission Report on Kosovo, which has to do exclusively with the rule of law in the country. In particular, I consider it necessary to dwell a little more on some of the issues related to the vetting process in the Republic of Kosovo, law and order in our country, including the north, as well as the issue of the electoral process. With regards to Vetting, European Commission finds that one-off and full re-evaluation of all prosecutors and judges is a source of serious concern. As the President of the country, I do not agree at all with this statement. In fact, the lack of vetting would be a serious concern, not the fulfilment of this process. The non-implementation of the vetting does not contribute to the efforts of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo to guarantee the rule of law, nor to the European future of our country. Further down the report, the European Commission considers that the vetting process should be a final and extraordinary measure, once all existing tools and mechanisms have been exhausted. Even this finding is wrong and even more contradictory because the existing mechanisms have been here for years and have proved ineffective. The truth is that through these mechanisms the increase of professionalism, integrity and citizens' trust in the justice institutions has not been achieved either. The EU itself has been critical of these matters for years. Therefore, vetting is not only important, but it is also necessary, and the only way to achieve all those goals which the European Union itself has presented as requirements and priorities to Kosovo for years. Contrary to what is stated in the European Union Report, this process will be continuous and comprehensive. For years, various local and international reports have noted stagnation in the justice system, and the lack of adequate mechanisms to address these stagnations. As a result, it is very clear that with the existing mechanisms alone there will be no possibilities to implement the desired reforms in our justice system. Vetting will therefore be a key instrument for the verification of the integrity, professionalism and wealth control of the individuals subject to vetting. This process will also be a mechanism to highlight judges, prosecutors and support administrative staff with integrity and professionalism. Vetting will be conducted in accordance with the highest international standards, as well as the best practices of countries that have carried out vetting before Kosovo. This should be seen as the main effort of the institutions of our country to guarantee the rule of law, by undertaking profound reforms in the justice system and ensuring the independence of this system from interventions of both political and criminal nature. Therefore, as President of the country, I not only demand that this process continues and does not stop, but also that it is expedited as a necessity. I encourage all responsible institutions to continue this work with priority and in full cooperation with our international partners. Meanwhile, as President of the country, I will continue as I have done so far, to apply the highest standards of legality and integrity in all my appointments, including those in the justice system. There have been cases in the past when proposals came to my desk that did not meet the legal criteria, whether for persons who have committed criminal offenses in the past, or persons who have solely passed the bar exam in Serbia in 2010, this of course being against the law and none of these have been signed by me. I am not a President who signs blank papers and therefore, in processes involving permanent appointments to the positions crucial for the Rule of Law in the country, such as the case of Judges and Prosecutors, I will always be guided by the principle of implementing and respecting integrity and professionalism. The second topic I want to address is the situation in our northern municipalities in terms of Rule of Law. The European Commission, this year as in previous years, confirms that the situation in the north of the country is challenging in terms of corruption, organized crime and lack of freedom of expression. This situation, according to the Commission, poses a challenge for law enforcement agencies in Kosovo. Also, the European Commission in this report asks Kosovo and its institutions for, and I quote “Additional measures need to be taken to combat illegal crossings and related criminal activities (including corruption), particularly along the border with Serbia.” We ask all EU officials to stay true to these statements so that whenever the law enforcement institutions of the Republic of Kosovo fight crime, corruption and smuggling in every corner of our country, including the north, we have the support of these officials, not their objection. My position as President on this is already clear: in the fight against organized crime and corruption, there is no compromise in any part of our Republic. This has already been proven by the institutions of the country and this position of ours is unwavering. And as these are findings of the European Union, as I also read them, we expect from them full support in terms of the actions of our institutions regarding the rule of law in every part of Kosovo, including the north, as an integral part of our country. Therefore, I hope that in the future EU officials will not make unilateral and unfounded statements which can only increase tensions and hinder our rule of law efforts in every corner of Kosovo. I am glad that there was a reflection in this regard today, so I welcome today's statement by Secretary Blinken on which of course there was never any doubt and which the EU High Representative Borell has already joined in, who stated today that “we welcome and support Kosovo’s commitment to fighting corruption
President Vjosa Osmani's presentation at the United Nations Security Council
Paraqitja e Presidentes Vjosa Osmani në Këshillin e Sigurimit të Kombeve të Bashkuara
President Osmani met with the new KFOR Commander, Major General Ferenc Kajári
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received today at a meeting the new KFOR Commander Major General Ferenc Kajári, whom she congratulated on his new tenure and praised the contribution of the multinational force in ensuring a peaceful and secure environment in Kosovo.
President Osmani received the European Commission report on Kosovo from Ambassador Szunyog
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received today the “European Commission Report on Kosovo” from the Head of the European Union Office in Kosovo Tomáš Szunyog.
President Osmani received at a meeting the Auditor-General Mrs. Vlora Spanca
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Mrs. Vjosa Osmani Sadriu received today at a meeting the Auditor General of the Republic of Kosovo Mrs. Vlora Spanca. President Osmani congratulated Mrs. Spanca on her new tenure and wished her lots of success at work.
President Osmani praised the proceeding of local elections at a meeting with the EU Election Observation Mission delegation
President Vjosa Osmani received at a meeting a delegation of the EU Election Observation Mission. The delegation led by MEP Lucas Mandle and MEP Viola von Cramon also included Róża Thun Und Hohenstein (EPP), Ms Michèle Rivasi (Greens / EFA), Thijs Reuten (S&D) as well as a number of EU experts.
The President: it is the citizens of Kosovo who enable and protect any democratic process that has to do with their lives
The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani has cast her local elections vote today at the Technical Faculty polling station in Prishtina.