Acting President Haxhiu participates in the 23rd Annual Assembly of the Kosovo Women’s Network Members
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, participated today at the 23rd Annual Assembly of the Kosovo Women’s Network Members, where she praised the long-standing role of this network in advancing women’s rights, strengthening democracy, and raising standards of equality in the country. In her address, Acting President Haxhiu emphasized that the contribution of Kosovo women is not measured only in great historical moments, but also in the daily work that has kept the family, the community, and society itself afloat. Recalling the “Bread for Drenica” march in the spring of 1998, she shared a personal memory from her childhood, when she saw her mother and the women of the neighborhood coming out with bread in hand in solidarity with the citizens of Drenica. “I realized that the pain of others is not foreign, that difficult times are faced, and that when women are involved, society progresses,” said Ms. Haxhiu. She praised the Kosovo Women’s Network as one of the clearest examples of civic organization that has turned the silent strength of women into public influence, being for decades, a clear voice for equality, protection from violence, women’s participation in decision-making, and fairer policies. Acting President Haxhiu emphasized that institutions benefit when they cooperate with civil society and with organizations that bring knowledge, serious research, and the real experience of citizens to decision-making processes. “Laws become better when they are based on knowledge. Policies become fairer when they are based on experience,” she said. Finally, Ms. Haxhiu thanked the network members for their work and perseverance over the years, emphasizing that every time a woman is represented and heard, Kosovo’s democracy becomes more complete.
Acting President Haxhiu: today the constitutional order of Kosovo spoke, which Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku defended to the end
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, said that with the verdict announced today by the Basic Court in Prishtina, Blagoje Spasojevic and Vladimir Tolic were sentenced to life imprisonment, while Dusan Maksimovic was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the terrorist attack in Banjskë. Acting President Haxhiu said that today the constitutional order of Kosovo spoke, which Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku defended to the end. “This decision is a demonstration that the attack on the Kosovo Police, on the constitutional order and on the security of our country will not remain unpunished,” emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. She further said that justice for the terrorist attack in Banjskë does not end here, adding that it will only be completed when all those responsible, including the terrorist Milan Radoicic, are brought to justice. Glory to the hero Afrim Bunjaku, said Acting President Haxhiu at the end.
Acting President Haxhiu: Eliot Engel loved Kosovo and as such, Kosovo shall never forget him
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, delivered a speech at the solemn session in honour of the US Congressman, Eliot Engel. On this occasion, Acting President Haxhiu said that today, at this solemn session, we remember and honour a man who left an indelible mark on the history of Kosovo, further adding that today, we honour and remember the loyal friend, but also the righteous US legislator, who, during the most difficult days of our recent history, together with many other US congressmen and senators, raised his voice powerfully against the violation of our rights, repression and persecution by the Serbian-Yugoslav regime. “For 32 years, 16 consecutive terms, he served with honesty and determination at the US Congress. He chaired the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives. Throughout his entire political career, he never ceased seeking justice for the people of Kosovo, thus demonstrating the high human virtues of a rare politician and a great man,” emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. She further said that during the dark years, when the Albanians of Kosovo were suffering under the Milosevic regime and the world was still hesitant to act, Eliot Engel raised his voice. “Between Kosovo and the United States lie oceans and thousands of kilometres. On the map we are far apart, in size and power we are incomparable, but in the life of oppressed nations, the greatest distance is being far from attention and decision-making. Small countries often have to knock long on the doors of the world to be heard. In many cases those doors remain closed until it is too late. Our region knows this waiting well, but when you have friends like Congressman Eliot Engel, opening such doors is possible and is historic,” said Acting President Haxhiu. In her address at the Kosovo Assembly, Acting President Haxhiu said that on June 11, 1996, the Democrat Congressman managed to secure the support of both Democrats and Republicans on the issue of Kosovo. Acting President Haxhiu said that they sent President Bill Clinton a letter, which, among other things, stated: “We believe that the time has come for the situation in Kosovo to be given the attention it deserves. This means that the United States must pay the highest level of attention to Kosovo now, so that the situation there does not deteriorate further.” She further added that a few weeks later, on July 26, 1996, the US House of Representatives discussed Resolution 155 on Kosovo, a text that Engel himself had drafted and which condemned the repression in Kosovo, demanded the restoration of the civil and political rights of our people, and brought Kosovo back to Washington’s attention. “In relation to the Kosovo issue, Engel understood that just causes require unity and the agreement of both Republicans and Democrats. Therefore, he successfully managed to secure broad support in Congress. Two years after the resolution, on March 17, 1998, Engel spoke about the escalation of violence in Kosovo in the US Congress and demanded that the repression by the genocidal regime of Serbia against the Albanians of Kosovo should not be tolerated in any way. He put Kosovo on the agenda in Washington” said Acting President Haxhiu. She further added that in those difficult years, Kosovo did not benefit from late reactions, but from people who spoke in time and where their words mattered, and according to Acting President Haxhiu, Engel was one of those people. “During his visit to Kosovo, in September 1999, he clearly expressed his desire for our people to live free and independent. When we declared independence on February 17, 2008, he was among the most determined supporters of international recognition. But what made him special was not only that historic moment, but the fact that he did not leave after it. He knew and said it openly, that independence is not the end of a road, but the beginning of a difficult task. Thus, he continued to stand by Kosovo, supporting the strengthening of democratic institutions, the development of our security forces and the deepening of the strategic partnership with the United States of America. Even in periods when our path was difficult and the challenges were very great, his voice remained unchanged”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. According to her, this was not an ordinary diplomatic engagement, it was loyalty to a heartfelt friendship. “Eliot Engel did not love Kosovo from afar, with soft statements and ceremonial visits, he defended it with arguments, with votes, with presence and with unwavering faith in the justice of our cause. He was aware of the price of such positions and yet he stood by them,” said Acting President Haxhiu. She further added that today, when we remember him, we do not only remember Congressman Engel, we remember first and foremost the man who chose to be on the side of justice during very difficult times for our people, but also for our country. “Engel’s legacy will not remain solely in the archives of our history. It lives on in the strong and strategic friendship between Kosovo and the United States of America, a friendship that he cultivated with patience and conviction. He lives first and foremost in the memory of our citizens, who know that their freedom has had true defenders beyond our borders,” emphasized the Acting President. She further added that his life ended where it was shaped, in the Bronx, surrounded by his family and loved ones. But, according to the Acting President, his influence will be felt long in the heart of every Albanian and will always be remembered with deep respect and dignity, as a man who stood by Kosovo when it needed him most. Acting President Haxhiu said that Eliot Engel loved Kosovo, and as such, Kosovo will never forget him.
Acting President Haxhiu participated at the memorial tribute and signed the Condolence Book in honour of the life and work of academician Rexhep Qosja
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, today participated at the memorial tribute and signed the Condolence Book in honour of the life and work of academician Rexhep Qosja. In honour of the life and work of academic Rexhep Qosja, by decision of Acting President Haxhiu, Friday, April 24, 2026, has been declared a State Day of Mourning in the Republic of Kosovo. Acting President Haxhiu said that with this decision, our state expresses its respect and gratitude for a personality who gave to Albanian culture knowledge, body of work and authority
Acting President Haxhiu declares Friday a day of national mourning in Kosovo
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, pursuant to the Constitution of Kosovo, has decided that tomorrow, Friday, April 24, 2026, is declared a Day of National Mourning in the Republic of Kosovo. “In honour of the life and work of academician Rexhep Qosja, Friday, April 24, 2026, is declared a day of national mourning in the Republic of Kosovo. With this decision, our state expresses its respect and gratitude for a personality who gave Albanian culture wisdom, work and authority,” said Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu: Kosovo lost academician Rexhep Qosja, while the Albanian world lost one of its greatest personalities of critical thought, literature and study
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, said that today, Kosovo lost academician Rexhep Qosja, while the Albanian world lost one of its greatest personalities of critical thought, literature and study. “We lost a personality who was present in our cultural, academic and political life for decades. For more than half a century, Academician Qosja was present in the Albanian space with books, studies, debate and stance,” said Acting President Haxhiu. She further said that the literary scholar, critic, novelist, essayist, professor, and public polemicist coexisted within his being. “In literary studies, he left behind a precious legacy for Albanian literature and its decisive periods. In prose, with the novel “Death Comes to Me Through Such Eyes”, he brought one of the works that expanded the boundaries of the Albanian novel, turning the experience of fear, power and oppression into literature with lasting value. In “Secrets Told”, Qosja proved that even at the end of his creative journey he remained acutely aware of time, society and the decline of values”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. According to Acting President Haxhiu, for many generations of students, readers and scholars, Rexhep Qosja was a school in itself, adding further that through his work, many learned to read literature as a reflection of society, history and language as the foundation of identity. “Rexhep Qosja, departed for eternity, precisely on International Book Day, reminding us that the creator is most honored by the work he leaves behind. As he said, heroes of the mind withstand time the longest. Academician Qosja was a hero of the mind, and as such he will be a guide for generations,” said Acting President Haxhiu. Acting President Haxhiu expressed her sincere condolences to the family, friends, collaborators, and to the great number of his readers.
Acting President Haxhiu received Deputy Prime Minister Fikrim Damka and a delegation representing the Turkish community, on the occasion of the Day of Turks, April 23rd
Acting President Albulena Haxhiu, on the occasion of the Day of Turks, April 23rd, a date that also coincides with the establishment of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and the journey of the modern Turkish state, received today Deputy Prime Minister Fikrim Damka and a delegation representing the Turkish community. “I expressed my gratitude for the valuable contribution that the Turkish community has made over the years in building democratic institutions, public life and social development of Kosovo”, said Acting President Haxhiu. Community’s role and involvement in education, culture and the country’s institutions, as well as the importance of preserving and promoting its identity were discussed at the meeting. “I reconfirmed the readiness to further expand the cooperation and emphasized the importance of strengthening the excellent relations between Kosovo and Türkiye,” emphasized Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu visited the Digital School and the “BONEVET” NGO : It is extremely important for Kosovo to have so many young people who have a lot of potential
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, on the occasion of Innovation Day, which was yesterday, visited the Digital School and the “BONEVET” NGO today. On this occasion, Acting President Haxhiu said that it was a pleasure to start the day today at AAB College at a very important conference for girls in ICT, then we continued at the Digital School, where we learned more about developing skills in technology and digitalization, and now we are at the premises of “BONEVET”. “We have had information related to “BONEVET” activities, but today we were also in greater detail informed on the teaching programs related to technology, mathematics, science, art and similar. We saw many students who, with great energy, are working in robotics, an important field. I wished them success in all the competitions they may have in the future”, stated Acting President Haxhiu. She further added that it is extremely important for Kosovo to have so many young men and women who have a lot of potential, and “BONEVET” enables them by encouraging them to develop their creativity, but also their talent. “I also offered my support, but also to the service to act as a bridge with other institutions, considering that during this period the institutions have supported projects of organizations that deal with this field”, said Acting President Haxhiu. She further pledged that the support will continue and that she will help where possible, so that their work becomes as easy and as useful as possible. Meanwhile, Flatra Thaçi, Managing Director at “BONEVET”, while thanking Acting President Haxhiu, said that it is a great pleasure to have her in our spaces, adding that “BONEVET” is open to the entire community, but normally to all citizens of this country. “We interpret the work we do every day with great love and passion, as a team, as people who adore technology, we adore innovation and education above all. Therefore, it is very important for us to have the support of institutions because without institutions, our work cannot reach where we aim it to”, said Flatra Thaçi.
Acting President Haxhiu participated at the “Future Makers: Girls in ICT” conference
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, participated today at the “Future Makers: Girls in ICT” conference”. Acting President Haxhiu, on this occasion, said that when industry, academia, institutions and civil society come together, we understand that major challenges are not faced separately, but only when we are together. She further added that with the development of artificial intelligence, this change is gaining even greater momentum. “The labour market is changing. Many professions are adapting, some are disappearing, others are emerging. In times like these, countries that turn education, knowledge and technology into national priorities advance”, she emphasized. The Acting President said that we are a young country, with many young men and women who want to move forward. “Our path has not been easy. We have built many things ourselves, with our own efforts, but from this we have drawn strength, we have drawn knowledge, but also faith that we can rise up whenever we face challenges”, said Acting President Haxhiu. She further added that once the wealth of nations was measured by land, mines, factories, of course these are also very important, but today it is being measured more and more by knowledge, innovation and the ability to create. “This is our opportunity, but no country moves forward by leaving half of itself behind. Therefore, the inclusion of girls and women in technology is not only related to equality, certainly with equality but not only with equality, it is also related to the development of the economy, the advancement of society and the future of our country”, affirmed the Acting President. According to her, Albanian women and girls have always known how to find their way. “With work, knowledge and perseverance, they have supported families, built societies and opened new paths even when it was almost impossible. Even today, this spirit characterizes them. We have many examples that prove this truth. Drena Kusari from Gjakova, appointed a few weeks ago to one of the highest management positions at Microsoft, shows us that from Kosovo it is possible to reach the top of the technology world. Çamërie Mazreku from Malisheva, engaged as a software engineer at Netflix, proves that our talent can find a place in the largest companies of the world. Mira Murati, among the most well-known names in artificial intelligence today, is another proof that knowledge and dedication know no boundaries”, emphasized the Acting President. In addition to these names, according to Acting President Haxhiu, there are many other women and girls that we may not even see, but who are leaving their mark in universities, companies, start-ups, laboratories and institutions with their work. She further said that each of their achievements is an open door for the girls who come after them. According to the Acting President, these stories show us that our talent can go far when it finds support and when it finds opportunity. “Now I want to address the girls here at this conference in particular. The road ahead of you will not always be easy. You will encounter people who will doubt you, who will prejudge you, even those who will tell you that this field is not for you. There will be fatigue, uncertainty, there will be trials, but these are temporary difficulties, and they do not in any way determine your ability. Do not wait for everything to be fixed to take the first step, because the path is often clarified only when we walk. Do not think that technology belongs to someone else. It needs your knowledge, your ideas, but also your courage. If someone underestimates you, respond with work. If the road seems long to you, walk step by step. If you encounter difficulties, do not give up because that is where your strength begins”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. She further said that Kosovo needs female programmers, engineers, artificial intelligence researchers, and cybersecurity experts, with Acting President Haxhiu thanked Ms. Sahatqija for the work she is doing in this direction! “The digital future waits for no one. Every girl who moves forward also moves Kosovo forward. I strongly believe that many of those who will lead the digital future of Kosovo are in this hall today”, said the U.S. President. At the conclusion, Acting President Haxhiu said that we now have a minister who is dealing with this issue on a daily basis. “Therefore, I also thank her for the great commitment she is making in this direction and I am very convinced that, knowing Lulëzon, he will always stand by you in relation to the requests you may have”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu received the Chairperson of the Prosecutorial Council, Mr. Arian Gashi
Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, received today the Chairperson of the Prosecutorial Council, Mr. Arian Gashi, with whom she discussed the achievements and challenges facing the prosecutorial system of the country. “We talked about justice reforms and the necessity of concluding the process for the election of the Chief State Prosecutor as soon as possible”, said Acting President Haxhiu. The budgetary requirements, infrastructure, and the need for more prosecutors and support staff, issues that affect institutional efficiency, were also discussed at the meeting. “I reaffirmed my commitment to institutional independence and strengthening of the rule of law in the Republic of Kosovo”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu.