DR. VJOSA OSMANI SADRIU
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO
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President Osmani received the European Union Election Observation Mission team

The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received today the European Union Election Observation Mission team, led by Nathalie Loiseau, MEP.

This meeting took place as part of the framework of joint engagements to ensure a free, fair and democratic electoral process in the general parliamentary elections of February 9th in Kosovo.

During the meeting, President Osmani and President Loiseau discussed the importance of a free, fair and transparent electoral process, underlining that Kosovo has already proven its commitment to organizing democratic elections.

President Osmani, through a letter sent on September 3rd 2024, to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, requested the deployment of an Election Observation Mission.

In this context, President Osmani expressed her gratitude for the EU’s continued engagement to support democracy in Kosovo and recalled the importance of the EU observation missions since 2013. She emphasized that these are the first regular elections under the new Law on General Elections, giving a new dimension to the electoral process in the country.

At the meeting with Ms. Loiseau, President Osmani reiterated the request made in her letter to Mr. Borrell, so that this mission also focuses on the representation of women in all phases of the electoral process. She emphasized the importance of women’s representation on electoral lists, gender budgeting, their presence in the media, as well as addressing issues of gender-based violence during the campaign, including online violence. In this context, President Osmani restated the request that this Mission also focuses on respect for the rights of persons with disabilities, especially regarding their access to polling stations.

Madam President assessed that gender equality is one of the fundamental principles of democracy and should be reflected in all aspects of the electoral process.

President Osmani, based on the reports of the progress of past elections, including the reports of EU observation missions which have concluded that in the northern municipalities of the Republic of Kosovo there has been illegal interference, intimidation and obstruction of the exercise of the right to free voting, stressed the need for the observers of this EU Mission to ensure that they monitor whether the right to free voting is being fully exercised, in accordance with the highest democratic standards throughout the territory of the Republic of Kosovo.

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