President Osmani on the International Day of the Disappeared: We will continue to work together until the return of the very last citizen of our Republic, our freedom will not be complete without their return
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, together with the Speaker of the Parliament, Dimal Basha, the acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, as well as the families of those who disappeared by force during the last war in Kosovo, have paid tribute at the Missing Persons Monument. Below is President Osmani’s full media statement: Today, on the International Day of the Disappeared, as we do every year, we got together with the families of those who disappeared by force during the last war in Kosovo to commemorate each one of them, and also to raise our voice once again for justice and to raise our voice against this ongoing crime of Serbia. And I say that it is an ongoing crime because, beyond the crimes committed in ’98 and ’99 by Serbia, the forced disappearance of individuals, of the loved ones of many families here in Kosovo, is a crime that Serbia commits every day, by keeping them in mass graves, not respecting the agreements reached in Brussels aiming to clarify the fate of these enforced disappearances, Serbia commits a crime against humanity every day and violates international human rights conventions every day. Today, we are in full solidarity with the families, who still live in anxiety and endless pain, even 26 years after the war, but beyond words, we are together with the families in our ongoing efforts for justice and in our ongoing efforts to hold Serbia accountable for this repeated crime. We call once again to all our allies, all our international friends, to put continuous pressure on Serbia, this genocidal state, this state that still not only denies the crime, but also hides the crime, keeping thousands of Albanians from Kosovo, but also victims of other wars that Serbia has caused in the former Yugoslavia, forcibly disappeared. We will continue to work together until the return of the very last citizen of our Republic, and we keep reiterating that our freedom will not be complete without their return.
President Osmani received the US Chargé d’Affaires in Kosovo, Anu Prattipati
President Vjosa Osmani received today the US Chargé d’Affaires in Kosovo, Ms. Anu Prattipati. The latest developments in the country, including the election of the Speaker of the Assembly and the majority of the Deputy Speakers, as well as further steps towards the full constitution of the Assembly, were discussed at the meeting. Among the topics discussed was also bilateral cooperation, where the readiness for further advancement in areas of strategic interest for both countries was reaffirmed. On the eve of the High-Level Week of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where President Osmani will participate again this year as the head of the Kosovo delegation in her capacity as Head of State, the agenda and expectations from the planned meetings and activities were discussed.
The Consultative Council for Communities held its successive meeting under the chairmanship of President Osmani
The Consultative Council for Communities held its successive meeting under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani. Important issues related to the needs and priorities of communities in the country, with a focus on their equal participation in social, institutional and economic life, were discussed at the meeting. The inclusion of communities in state processes was classified as essential for the realization of their rights, including social rights, and in building an inclusive society where every citizen enjoys equal treatment. The members of the Council expressed their gratitude to President Vjosa Osmani, highly appreciating her commitment to addressing and supporting community issues, as well as her willingness to always be by their side in solving challenges and advancing equal rights for all.
President Osmani, at the meeting with the French representative, supports the construction of new bridges over the Ibër and calls for the urgent lifting of measures against Kosovo
President Vjosa Osmani received today the French Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Ambassador René Troccaz, and discussed political developments in Kosovo and regional security. Madam President reiterated Kosovo’s strategic orientation towards integration into the European Union and NATO, as well as its unwavering commitment to membership in the Council of Europe, emphasizing that reforms, the rule of law and compliance with European standards remain the main priorities. Madam President emphasized that Kosovo is committed to political stability and the full democratic functioning of institutions, citing the election of the Speaker of the Assembly and the majority of deputy speakers as key steps in this direction. Regarding the opening of the new bridge over the Ibër river and the continuation of the construction of an additional bridge, President Osmani emphasized that she welcomes their construction, highlighting the positive role that bridges play in the integration, unification and rapprochement of citizens, through facilitating movement, cooperation and transport. She further recalled that the closure of the main bridge in Mitrovica in 1999 was not made for security reasons but due to extremely harmful political decisions and that it is regrettable that 26 years after the closure and now 10 years after the Brussels agreement to open the bridge, it remains closed. She added that it is not the bridges that create tensions, but violent people, such as illegal criminal structures financed by Serbia, which have created violence and tensions over these decades. “It is the criminal and destabilizing activity of Radojcic and criminal groups in the north that hindered normality and free movement, creating an atmosphere of fear and tension, not the bridges,” she emphasized. Madam President also explained that these illegal criminal structures are solely responsible for the violence and tensions, and not the infrastructure that is being built to unite communities. Regarding the European Union’s restrictive measures against Kosovo, President Osmani said that, in addition to being unjust, these measures unreasonably hit the citizens of Kosovo and their well-being and also harm the democratic processes and development of the country, as well as damage the credibility of the EU-led dialogue. In conclusion, Madam President reaffirmed Kosovo’s readiness to be a reliable partner in strengthening peace, stability and regional cooperation.
President Osmani presented the Presidential Medal of Merit to Prof. Dr. Nimetullah Hafiz
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, presented today the Presidential Medal of Merit to Prof. Dr. Nimetullah Hafiz, awarded in April of this year, in honor and gratitude for his extraordinary contribution to the field of education, science, culture and Turkish literature in Kosovo and beyond. Professor Hafiz worked at the University of Pristina, in the Department of Turkish Language and Literature. Hafizi is one of the key figures in contemporary Turkish literary creativity in Kosovo and the first scholar to defend his doctoral thesis in the field of Turkish language. During his career, he made valuable contributions as a teacher, researcher, and publicist.
President Osmani commemorates the hero Ismet Rrahmani
On the 27th anniversary of the fall, we honor and remember Ismet Rrahmani, the hero who dedicated his life to the education of generations and the freedom of the homeland. He was a devout education activist and later a prominent activist of the liberation struggle. The ideals that guided the hero Ismet Rrahmani do not fade, because his every action is a reminder that freedom and education are sacred values that must be preserved. By remembering his life and work, we preserve his legacy and inspire future generations. May the memory of the hero Ismet Rrahmani be eternal!
Madam President’s statement on the constitution of the Assembly
Madam President welcomes the fact that the process of the constitution of the Assembly has begun to unblock and hopes that this process will be concluded as soon as possible, in accordance with the constitution. She wishes the new President Dimal Basha and the elected Vice Presidents of the Assembly, Ms. Albulena Haxhiu, Ms. Vlora Çitaku, Mr. Kujtim Shala and Ms. Emilija Redžepi, fruitful proceedings, in the interest of the country. Madam President hopes that as soon as possible, and in accordance with constitutional procedures, the Assembly will also vote on the new Government that emerged from the will of the citizens at the February 9th elections.
President Vjosa Osmani’s address yesterday at the Alpbach European Forum about the importance of defending democracy and the fight for the rule of law
President Osmani met with the President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen: friendly discussions on strengthening of relations with Austria
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, met with the President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, and the First Lady, Doris Schmidauer in Alpbach. “With the President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, and the First Lady Doris Schmidauer, in beautiful Alpbach. Friendly discussions on strengthening of relations with Austria, one of our nation’s strongest allies,” wrote President Osmani.
Madam President: A generation that knows no borders!
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, met with a group of young Albanians at the Alpbach European Forum. President Osmani wrote: A generation that knows no borders! A beautiful afternoon in the heart of the Austrian Alps, among extraordinary young Albanians at the Alpbach European Forum. They all have one thing in common: the love for their country and a determination to make Kosovo better.