Acting President Haxhiu: Although justice has yet to be served, the memory and sacrifice of those who fell for freedom remain eternal
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, paid homage today at the city cemetery in Peja in commemoration of five members of the Kastrati family, Sokol (Çelë) Kastrati, Xhafer (Çelë) Kastrati, Valdet (Sokol) Kastrati, Adrian (Xhafer) Kastrati and Alban (Xhafer) Kastrati, as well as their neighbour, Hasan (Emrush) Muratagiqi, who were brutally killed by the Serbian criminal hand on 28 May 1999. Acting President Haxhiu stated that, although justice has yet to be served, the memory and sacrifice of those who fell for freedom remain eternal.
Acting President Haxhiu Extends Condolences to the Gagica Family
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, has sent a telegram of condolences to the Gagica family following the passing of Hafiz Gagica, a renowned activist of the national cause. In her telegram, Acting President Haxhiu wrote that Hafiz Gagica was “one of the important voices of the Albanian diaspora in Germany”. “At a time when Kosovo needed its voice to be heard abroad, Mr. Gagica was among those who worked with dedication to organize the diaspora, to keep the bond with the homeland alive, and to affirm Kosovo’s right to freedom, democracy and independence”, the telegram states. The Acting President also commended his close cooperation with the historic President, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, as well as his engagement in the political organization of the diaspora. She extended her deepest condolences to the Gagica family, his friends, fellow activists and all those who knew him and valued his work.
Acting President Haxhiu receives in a meeting the Chairperson and Secretary General of the Consultative Council for Communities
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, received today in a meeting the Chairperson and Secretary General of the Consultative Council for Communities. The meeting focused on the role of the Council as an important mechanism for communication between communities and the institutions of the Republic, as well as on the need for the concerns, proposals and priorities of communities to be addressed with due and regular institutional attention. Acting President Haxhiu emphasized that equality gains meaning when citizens have access to institutions, services and decision-making. She reaffirmed the commitment of the Presidency to continued cooperation with the Council, in the service of the rights, representation and participation of all communities in the public life of the Republic of Kosovo.
Acting President Haxhiu received in a meeting Congressmen Keith Self and Suhas Subramanyam
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, received today in a meeting Republican Congressman Keith Self and Democratic Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, as part of a delegation of the United States Congress. Acting President Haxhiu expressed her gratitude for the continued support of the United States and the U.S. Congress for the Republic of Kosovo, emphasizing that, for the people of Kosovo, this support has been of historic, political and human significance. “For Kosovo, friendship with the United States is both institutional and personal. Our people remember who stood by us at the most defining moments of our modern history”, Acting President Haxhiu emphasized. She thanked Congressman Self for his clear support for Kosovo’s path towards NATO, as well as for his attention to the rights of Albanians in the Presheva Valley. Acting President Haxhiu underlined that, for Kosovo, NATO membership is a matter of long-term security, regional peace, and Kosovo’s natural place among democratic states. Acting President Haxhiu also welcomed Congressman Subramanyam’s participation in the delegation, highlighting the importance of cooperation in areas such as technology, cybersecurity, education, innovation and public service. During the meeting, Acting President Haxhiu stated that Kosovo remains committed to further deepening its partnership with the United States in security, defense, economy, diplomacy and Euro-Atlantic integration. She emphasized that Kosovo is grateful for American support and wishes to honour this friendship by standing alongside the United States as a reliable partner for peace, security and democratic progress.
Acting President Haxhiu visited the Islamic Community of Kosovo: Eid al-Adha is a sacred celebration of the Islamic faith, reminding us of the values of sacrifice, solidarity, kindness, respect and dedication to the country
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, visited the Islamic Community of Kosovo on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. On this occasion, Acting President Haxhiu extended her greetings to Mufti Naim Tërnava and his associates on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. “On this occasion, allow me to extend my greetings to all Muslim believers, as well as to Albanians wherever they may be, both within Kosovo and abroad, on the occasion of Eid al-Adha”, Acting President Haxhiu said. She further stated that Eid al-Adha is a sacred celebration of the Islamic faith, reminding us of the values of sacrifice, solidarity, kindness, respect and dedication to the country. “These are values that we must uphold ever more strongly and around which we must remain united, as institutions, as citizens, and as a society,” Acting President Haxhiu said. She thanked the Islamic Community of Kosovo and Mufti Naim Tërnava for the positive role they have continuously played in our society, for their positive influence in combating the negative phenomena facing our society, and also for their assistance to citizens in need. “It is precisely the Islamic Community of Kosovo, through the ‘Bereqeti’ Association, and through its associates and partners, that has helped thousands of families throughout this period,” Acting President Haxhiu said. She further said that the Mufti also conveyed a message today and informed her that he had delivered a lecture calling for an end to hate speech, attacks and lynching language, as such language has no place in our society. She therefore thanked him for this aspect as well. “Allow me once again to extend my greetings to all of you, including the media, today on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. I wish the very best to the citizens and to every family!”, Acting President Haxhiu said.
Acting President Haxhiu attended the marking of the National Day of the Republic of Croatia: Croatia has been a steadfast friend of Kosovo throughout various chapters of its history
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, participated tonight at the reception hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia to the Republic of Kosovo, on the occasion of the marking of the National Day of the Republic of Croatia. In an address to the participants, Acting President Haxhiu said that Croatia has been a steadfast friend of Kosovo throughout various chapters of its history. “In the years when our cause needed friends, at the moment of the recognition of our independence, and today, when we work for our European and Euro-Atlantic future,” said Acting President Haxhiu. She further added that long before our modern diplomatic relations, human bridges existed between our two peoples. “It is enough to remember Milan Šufflay, the Croatian scholar who gave Albanian history a special place in European thought, as well as the Albanians who stood by Croatia in its most difficult years, our friendship is based on memory, sacrifice and mutual respect. Among the Arbënesh of Zara, public servants like Ermina Lekaj Prljaskaj, and of course footballers like Ardian Kozniku and Kujtim Shala, we can say that Albanians have been present in Croatia in all serious places: in history, in parliament and in football”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. Acting President Haxhiu thanked Ambassador Barišić, whose warmth and energy, according to Acting President Haxhiu, have given this friendship even greater vitality. Acting President Haxhiu, on behalf of the people and institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, conveyed her warmest congratulations to the people of Croatia. “I wish that the friendship between Kosovo and Croatia continues to strengthen, and that our region moves forward with greater trust, more viable democracy and much more clarity on the European path,” said Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu: Great news for Albanian art
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, conveyed her congratulations on the great news for Albanian art. “Ermonela Jaho is honored by France, Eliza Dushku by Lesley University, Gjyljeta Berisha in the team of the film Fjord, winner of the Palme d’Or, while Elbenita Kajtazi returns to the Prishtina audience. Congratulations!” wrote Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu received the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Kosovo, Mr. Jonathan Hargreaves
Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, received today the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Kosovo, Mr. Jonathan Hargreaves. The latest political developments in the country, with particular emphasis on the electoral process, the importance of its smooth conduct and the preservation of institutional stability were discussed at the meeting. Acting President Haxhiu thanked the United Kingdom for its continued support to the Republic of Kosovo and stressed the importance of the close partnership between the two countries.
U.S. President Haxhiu visited “Bodrumi i Vjetër”, one of the most famous wineries in the country
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, said that in the city known for its tradition of viticulture and wine in Kosovo, a stop at “Bodrumi i Vjetër”, one of the most famous wineries in the country, could not be missed. “With a tradition that dates back to 1953, this winery has managed, through tireless work, dedication and continuous investments in quality and modern technology, to place the name of Kosovo on the European map of the most qualitative wines”, said Acting President Haxhiu. She further said that during the visit, we had the opportunity to see the production process, the high standards applied, and the unique combination of modern technology with the extraordinary potential offered by the fertile soil of Rahovec. “The fact that around 70% of production is exported abroad is clear evidence of quality and a success story that deserves appreciation,” emphasized Acting President Haxhiu.
Acting President Haxhiu: The Dubrava massacre took place inside a state institution, under the administration of the Serbian state, on unarmed, confined and defenceless people
The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, participated today at the marking of the 27th anniversary of the Dubrava Prison massacre. In her address to the participants, Acting President Haxhiu said that a prison is a place where the state closes the door from the outside. “The one who is in the inside has neither weapons, nor freedom, nor the opportunity to defend himself. The life of the prisoner is in the hands of the institution that guards him. For this reason, the Dubrava massacre cannot be treated as an ordinary war crime. The Dubrava massacre took place inside a state institution, under the administration of the Serbian state, on unarmed, confined and defenceless people,” said Acting President Haxhiu. Acting President Haxhiu said that the gravity of the crime becomes even more serious due to the fact that the Albanian prisoners were not there by chance. “In the spring of 1999, people were brought to Dubrava from prisons and detention centers, from Kosovo but also from Serbia. Political convicts, convicted of various crimes, those arrested due to circumstances of the war, were gathered there. All of them found themselves inside that prison that had become an instrument of state crime”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. According to her, in Dubrava, the Serbian state built the crime upon a double trap. “First, it kept the Albanian prisoners inside a facility where it had introduced the logic of war. Then, when the danger of bombing became imminent, those who held the keys left to hide, while the Albanians imprisoned there remained locked up. On top of that deliberate abandonment, a deceptive act was also built: to attribute the murders to NATO attacks. On May 19, the prison facilities were hit, including the pavilions, while on May 21 there were strikes again during the day on the prison facilities and the surroundings,” said Acting President Haxhiu. She further said that some of the Albanian prisoners, who were outside the wards for routine prison work, took the tools they had with them and started breaking the doors and locks to get their comrades out of their cells. “In the midst of that horror, the prisoners found a way to send a message to the world. With white plastic pieces, in the prison yard, they wrote the word “HELP”. It was a simple, short, but understandable call to the world. Through this call, the prisoners showed that they are alive. And this was successful, because the airstrikes stopped. But even that word, “HELP”, became a reason for the killers’ rage. Because it broke their script. It showed that there were living people inside the prison, prisoners and witnesses”, said Acting President Haxhiu. Acting President Haxhiu said that after this, on May 22, the prisoners were ordered to line up, under the pretext that they were going to be transferred. “Instead of being transferred, they were shot. Lined up, unarmed, defenseless, they were shot inside the prison yard. Survivors’ testimonies speak of other attacks during that day and the following day, of people seeking refuge in damaged buildings, of wounded people who received no help, of prisoners who tried to save each other. The mechanism of the crime also involved Serbian prisoners, convicted of serious crimes, who were armed and put at the service of the Serbian state apparatus. On May 23, the violence continued. Attacks on prisoners who remained inside the complex further increased the death toll,” said Acting President Haxhiu. She stated that 116 Albanian prisoners were killed and hundreds more were injured in Dubrava prison, in a space where the Serbian state had full responsibility over them. “On the eve of these days, on May 16, 1999, Professor Ukshin Hoti was also released from Dubrava Prison. Since that day, he has remained missing. A rare political mind of Kosovo, a man who had thought of freedom as a historical order, disappeared right there”, claimed Acting President Haxhiu. Acting President Haxhiu said that in Dubrava, the Serbian state acted as a murderous machinery. “It had prisoners in registers, in wards, in rows, under orders and locked up. This is why Dubrava has special legal and moral weight. There the crime did not happen because the state was absent. There the crime happened because the state was present in every link: in command, in the guard, in the weapon, in the deception and in the attempt to hide the truth”, claimed Acting President Haxhiu. According to Acting President Haxhiu, today it is not enough to mention Dubrava as a date. “We must understand it as evidence of Serbia’s monstrous crimes against defenceless Albanian citizens. We must also understand it as evidence of our duty to ensure that the names of the murdered, the testimonies of the survivors and the full truth of Dubrava become part of the state conscience of the Republic of Kosovo”, said Acting President Haxhiu at the end of her address.