Yesterday in Vienna, at the \u201cKosovo in the EU\u201d conference organized by Andreas Minnich, Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee in the Austrian Parliament and Chairman of the Austria-Kosovo Friendship Association, on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of NATO’s humanitarian intervention in Kosovo, the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Dr. Vjosa Osmani, was awarded the “Dr. Erhard Busek” Award.<\/p>\n
This Award was given to President Osmani for exceptional leadership and commitment to freedom, democracy and Euro-Atlantic integration.<\/p>\n
In his speech, Mr. Minnich expressed his deep appreciation for President Osmani’s contribution.<\/p>\n
“There is no woman in Europe like her who fights so hard for Kosovo’s accession to the EU and who emphasizes what unites us. She is a bridge builder, which is rarely found as such, and she builds bridges not only within Europe, but also across the Atlantic,” pointed out Minnich.<\/p>\n
He further added that President Osmani is an excellent transatlantic bridge builder.<\/p>\n
“It is always special to meet with her, to discuss her ideas, her visions and her visions for Kosovo here in Europe, as well as for projects that have real importance around the world. She supports the biggest issues, the grandest of visions. We want to thank her with this Award,” said Minnich.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, President Osmani, through a video address, thanked them for the Award, considering it a special appreciation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 27th anniversary of NATO\u2019s intervention in Kosovo is a testament to what is possible when justice finds its voice and when the world chooses to stand on the right side of history.\u201d President Osmani further expressed her deep gratitude to Austria, praising it as a steadfast and principled friend. On this occasion, she thanked the Austrian Parliament for organizing this conference that honors NATO\u2019s decisive intervention 27 years ago to stop the genocide against the people of Kosovo.<\/p>\n
President Osmani further emphasized that freedom is not given, but earned, defended and carried forward from generation to generation\/ \u201cKosovo is not just a resilience story. It is a story of determination to build a state where dignity, equality and democracy are not just aspirations, but realities lived every day,\u201d said President Osmani.<\/p>\n
In this regard, President Osmani emphasized that the path forward is clear. \u201cKosovo belongs to the European Union and NATO, not only as a political objective, but as a continuation of the values that we embody as a country: peace, freedom, justice, the rule of law and sustainable partnership with democracies around the world\u201d, emphasized President Osmani.<\/p>\n
At the end, President Osmani thanked Mr. Andreas Minich, Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, MEP Helmut Brandst\u00e4tter, President of PAN-Europa Reinhard Kloucek, MEP Lukas Mandl, as well as all Austrian friends who support Kosovo\u2019s path towards the EU as well as our diaspora in Austria, for cultivating friendship between our two countries.<\/p>\n
President Osmani also expressed her gratitude to the \u201cDr. Erhard Busek\u201d Award committee for honoring her with this award.<\/p>\n
The \u201cDr. Erhard Busek\u201d Award is an award of the Austria-Kosovo Friendship Association, established on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Erhard Busek, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education in Austria, leader of the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe, promoter of peace and a united Europe, and great supporter and friend of Kosovo.<\/p>\n