Acting President Albulena Haxhiu’s address on the 27th anniversary of the Battle of Koshare
Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, Ms. Gërvalla-Schwarz, Honourable Mr. Rrustem Berisha, former commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army in Koshare, Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, Honourable members of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, Honourable leaders and representatives of Political Parties, Mr. Ramush Haradinaj, Mr. Ali Ahmeti, who are here with us today, Honourable representatives of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, Honourable families of martyrs, veterans and invalids of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Honourable members of the former 138th “Agim Ramadani” Brigade, Dear citizens of Kosovo, Ladies and gentlemen, Honourable media, The morning of April 9th, 27 years ago, began early in Koshare. The units of the Kosovo Liberation Army set off towards the border line. The terrain was difficult and the confrontation began in the early hours. Fearless and full of courage, our soldiers advanced step by step, until they broke the Albania-Kosovo border, unjustly established almost a century ago, the border that had divided Albanians since 1913. On the first day of this epic, Abush Loku, Bashkim Jasiqi, Ramiz Krasniqi and Rifat Çelaj fell as martyrs. The fighting continued uninterrupted. The next day, the soldiers of the Kosovo Liberation Army managed to take control of the border crossing in Koshare. The “Cobra” unit, together with the first battalion and the military police, were the first to enter that area, which until then was held by the Serbian army. On April 11, during the attempt to take Opllaz, following two days of fierce fighting, the strategist, painter, poet and multidimensional artist, Agim Ramadani,upon whom was the 138th Brigade later baptized, fell on the battlefield. He had led the attack from the first day. He was on the front line when the border was broken. His fall was a great loss for Kosovo, but at the same time it became a strength for his soldiers, who carried out his bequest to remove the border, which at that time divided the Albanians from one side to the other on the Drini. In the following days, the confrontation became even fiercer. On April 19th in a single day, 13 soldiers of the Kosovo Liberation Army fell. One of the main leaders of the battle and the brigade, Sali Çekaj, was also immortalized. At that mountain range, the fighting did not stop. Despite the severity of the attacks, the soldiers of the Kosovo Liberation Army did not surrender, kept the border open and did not retreat at any cost. The fighting continued until June, when entire brigades, special units, operational groups, fighters from all over Kosovo, from all Albanian lands and from our diaspora were involved. The Battle of Koshare was also joined by foreign volunteers who chose to fight here, some of whom fell in Koshare side by side with our fighters. Therefore, today we honor and bow down to the martyrs of Kosovo, the Italian Francesco Bider, the Frenchman Paillard Arnaud Pierre and the Algerian Murad Muhamet Ali. This proves that our fight for freedom was just, so it had such a great and wide resonance that it received support from the entire democratic world. During the Battle of Koshare, 114 KLA fighters were killed and over 380 were wounded. These fighters, who headed to Koshare that spring, knew well what they are getting into, they knew that return was not certain, but they did it for freedom, they fell for freedom and they brought freedom. Therefore, the Battle of Koshare is among the most glorious battles in our modern history. The state of Kosovo was built upon this courage, on decisions taken in highly dangerous conditions and on the sacrifice of entire generations. Honouring the heroes and fighters of the 138th “Agim Ramadani” Brigade, within the framework of the “Ditët e shqipes” event, shows our determination to work with dedication so that Kosovo becomes such as those who fell for our freedom dreamed of. On behalf of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, I express my deepest respects to all the fighters of Koshare! Glory to the martyrs of the Kosovo Liberation Army! May their memory be eternal! Thank you!
Acting President Haxhiu: The Constitution has been the foundation upon which the Republic of Kosovo is based and functions
Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, said that today we mark Constitution Day, recalling April 9, 2008, the day when our state took its full legal and political shape. “Since that day, the Constitution has been the foundation upon which the Republic of Kosovo is based and functions. It defines the constitutional order, guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms and establishes the principles that guide our institutions,” said Acting President Haxhiu. She further stated that commitment to the Constitution remains a prerequisite for stability, development and democratic consolidation.
Acting President Haxhiu: April 9, 1999, in “Lagje të Re” and in Rakoc, marks one of the hardest days of our war
Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, said that on April 9, 1999, in “Lagje të Re” and in Rakoc, marks one of the hardest days of our war, where 28 fallen and 32 martyrs lost their lives. “Among them were men and women, but also young boys and girls, who did not choose to retreat in the face of violence, but to stand firm. Names like Lumnije Raka, Jehona Raka, Emsale Frangu and Mukadeze Lika Muhaxheri remain proof that the sacrifice for freedom has never been unilateral, but joint, equal and unconditional”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. Acting President Haxhiu also said that today, 27 years later, we remember with great honour all those who fell on April 9th, with the responsibility to ensure that this sacrifice is fully preserved, as was their resistance.
Acting President Haxhiu: The memory of Selver Haradinaj remains eternal and our commitment to security, justice and strong institutions will continue
Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, said that 14 years have passed since the terrorist attack with explosives by Serbian criminal structures in the “Tre Rrokaqiejt” neighborhood in the northern part of Mitrovica, which took the life of our citizen Selver Haradinaj. “The image of the destroyed apartment is embedded in the citizens’ memory by that tragic event. All the explosives used were intended to exterminate the entire family and to frighten, terrify and displace other Albanian families from that area”, said Acting President Haxhiu, further adding, “but as we know, many of these families continued to live for years under constant threat and insecurity from those criminal structures, not giving up their properties”. Acting President Haxhiu also added that today the reality has changed. “Thanks to institutional commitment and continuous work to extend law and order, the situation is normalizing and citizens feel safer.” She stated that the memory of Selver Haradinaj remains eternal, and our commitment to security, justice and strong institutions will continue.
Acting President Haxhiu, on the occasion of International Roma Day, visited the Gashi family in Fushë Kosovë: the Roma community’s contribution to the Republic of Kosovo is undeniable
Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo Albulena Haxhiu visited the Gashi family in Fushë Kosovë today on the occasion of International Roma Day. “On this day, which is both a day of reflection and responsibility, we reaffirm that the Roma community is an inseparable part of our society, with a rich heritage and valuable contribution to the Republic of Kosovo”, emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. She stated that our institutional commitment remains clear, “Protecting rights, fighting any form of discrimination and advancing policies that guarantee equal access to education, employment, healthcare and public services is a priority”. According to Acting President Haxhiu, the Roma community’s contribution to the Republic of Kosovo is undeniable. Our obligation is that equality, dignity and inclusion as guaranteed rights are implemented in everyday life.
Acting President Haxhiu received the Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci and the Commander of the Kosovo Security Force, Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari
Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, received today the Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, and the Commander of the Kosovo Security Force, Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari. “We discussed the achievements in the development of defense capacities, current challenges and future steps for towards the strategic strengthening of the KSF,” stated Acting President Haxhiu. She also added that the further development of the KSF remains a state priority and key to the strengthening of the security of the Republic of Kosovo.
Acting President Haxhiu commemorates the Polac massacre and the battle at Abri e Epërme in Drenicë: The truth will not fade away and justice will remain a permanent request
Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, has commemorated the anniversary of the Polac massacre and the battle at Abri e Epërme in Drenicë. Acting President Haxhiu said that we bow with deep respect to the memory of 78 innocent civilians and 8 martyrs who fell in one of the most painful events of our recent history. “This wound still remains open, as even today there are people missing, keeping alive the pain and anguish of their families. The memory of them does not fade, it obliges us to never forget and to seek justice incessantly for all the crimes committed. With the same respect, we also remember the battle at Abri e Epërme in Drenicë, where the martyrs Xhevat Demaku, Bedri Demaku and Imer Shala fell heroically, thus becoming a symbol of sacrifice and resistance for the freedom of the country”, said Acting President Haxhiu. She also added that memory is not only honor but also responsibility, adding further that it is a pledge that the truth will not fade away and that justice will remain a permanent request.
The Presidency of the Republic of Kosovo announces that it has created new official profiles on social networks, in order to ensure continuity of communication with citizens
Following the conclusion of the mandate of the former President, the existing profiles have been taken over by her office and no longer represent the official communication of the Presidency. Public institutions are not linked to individual mandates and they must have stable, clear and continuous communication, in the service of citizens. For this reason, the new official profiles will be directly administered by the institution of the Presidency and will serve as the only source of official information from this institution. This step ensures that official communication remains linked to the institution, preserving and guaranteeing institutional continuity in the function of informing citizens. The profiles on social networks are the property of the Presidency and will remain in use by the highest state institution, regardless of whomever exercises the function of the President.
Acting President Haxhiu received the Executive Director of the Kosovo Centre for the Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors (KRRT), Ms. Feride Rushiti
Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, received today the Executive Director of the Kosovo Centre for the Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors (KRRT), Ms. Feride Rushiti. “I thanked Ms. Rushiti for her tireless commitment and extraordinary dedication in supporting survivors of sexual violence during the war, a mission of particular importance, not only for the survivors and our society, but also for empowering justice and dignity in our country,” stated Acting President Haxhiu. Acting President Haxhiu assured Ms. Rushiti said that she shall enjoy the full support of herself and of the institutions in every effort to advance the rights, dignity and well-being of survivors.
Acting President Albulena Haxhiu’s address at the Mass dedicated to Don Kelmend Spaqi
Today, on this Easter Monday, we are consigning to eternity a priest, as well as a figure who, during the most difficult moments of our history, became a protective wall to human life and dignity. His activity is evidence of a complete dedication to man, to faith and to the homeland. For 33 years of priesthood, Don Kelmendi served as a guide in times of uncertainty, support in times of fear and a steadfast voice of truth. He lived with the deep conviction that religion and homeland do not exclude each other, and he even witnessed how these two strengthen man’s resolve to serve the other. In this sense, his motto “for Faith, Homeland and Freedom” was also a way of life. In the darkest days of our history, when violence and insecurity aimed to destroy not only life, but also trust in each other, Don Kelmendi stood with the people. In Gllogjan, Pejë, in the spring of 1999, he opened the doors of the “Shna Ndou” church, or as it is popularly known, the Church of Hope, where he sheltered hundreds of citizens who were forcibly expelled by Serbian paramilitary and military forces. There, Don Kelmendi, with the help of the nuns, treated wounded people and assisted young mothers in caring for their babies. On April 4th, 1999, Serbian paramilitary and police forces interrupted his mass, and at gunpoint, asked him to separate the Catholic community from the Muslim one. And he replied that there are neither Catholics or Muslims here, but only defenseless civilians. Dom Kelmendi courageously articulated a fundamental truth: that prior to being different, we are human and we belong to the same country. This stance was not a spontaneous act. It was the result of a character molded by national values, built on faith and ethics that do not negotiate with fear. He came from a family that had known persecution. But this did not make him retreat. On the contrary, it made him clearer in his attitudes and more steadfast in his actions. Equally significant was the way in which himself and the nuns in his parish put coexistence into practice, using the church bells to announce iftar and suhoor for Muslim believers, at war time. In this spirit, he gave the clear message that human dignity and interfaith respect are stronger than any attempt at division. And division was precisely the goal of the Milosevic regime. Don Kelmendi was a simple man in behavior, but great in his acts. Close to people, attentive to their needs, always ready to give, without asking for anything in return. His departure from this life, precisely on Holy Thursday, on the day of the establishment of the priesthood, gives a special symbolism to this departure. His life ended exactly where the call had begun: in service. Today we are consigning to eternity a priest and patriot who put his life in the service of others, a man who left behind a brilliant example, which will not fade with time. On behalf of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, I express the highest institutional gratitude for his life and work. Don Kelmendi left us this legacy to which we owe a responsibility: to preserve and pass on the values that he embodied because such figures are honored only by passing on the values they leave behind. My deepest condolences to the Spaqi family, to the Catholic Church and to all those who knew and loved him. May the memory of Don Kelmend Spaqi be eternal.