Osman for Portuguese medium: Serbia with Russia's help is destabilizing Balkans

Asked how Osman describes the current situation between Kosovo and Serbia, he has said the situation is complicated because of the northern neighbour having destabilising goals.

The “is a complicated situation, unfortunately created by our northern neighbour, with destabilising purposes not only against Kosovo but also in Bosnia, Montenegro and other states in the region. But despite the attacks Kosovo has always been peaceful and constructive neighbour. Even though Kosovo has witnessed the commitment to dialogue with Serbia, Serbia has done the opposite. He continues to build an aggressive campaign against Kosovo in the international arena, continues to abuse dialogue by spreading wrong information to some distant states that dialogue is focused on Kosovo's status, which is true and has carried out some destabilising initiatives with Russia's help, maintaining tensions and active conflicts and leaving the region out of European integration, against what we want and protect. Despite all of this, our efforts are sincere, we are very certain in our goals, we speak sincerely with our friends in the EU, the US, and the wider”, Osmani said.

Speaking of Kosovo's UN membership and the demand for recognition from India, Osmani said he knows decisions in major states such as India take time and is optimistic about it.

I am optimistic, but at the same time I am very patient, because I understand that with countries like India things are not as fast as we would like. When it comes to becoming a member of the UN, we have been recognised by most EU members, but the problem is with Russia, which is threatening to use veto rights. Unfortunately because of the lack of reforms within the EU system, countries like Russia block realities worldwide, block human rights protection worldwide, block a series of decisions that the UN Security Council must have resolved long ago. But in the case of Kosovo, there is an even stronger argument for the UN to hold their hands open to us, which is the opinion of the International Court of Justice, where I had the chance to represent my country by other lawyers. The JND was very clear when it said Kosovo's independence is in accordance with international law, but at the same time was very clear, saying it cannot be compared to the goal of other territories around the world to become independent”, it has said of the Portuguese media.

She has said criticisms of disrespect for minorities in Kosovo do not stand as minorities enjoy more rights and protection than any other world country and that Kosovo is recognised for religious tolerance.

These criticisms are not based on reality, and I invite you to come to Kosovo and see for yourself. I'll share some facts: Kosovo has one of the highest standards of protection of ethnic minorities defined in the Constitution, and is nowhere else found in the EU or outside it. The minorities have a guaranteed place in parliament, are represented in all institutions, have rights that are not found in any other European constitution. The fact that being victims of depression, we wanted to ensure that no one else in Kosovo would feel that way. Multiethnicity is, in fact, one of our strongest points, the basic principle of our constitution. And that's why when someone proposes an alleged solution in which territories should be divided based on ethnic origin, we always refuse. We don't believe in monotheism, we believe multiethnicity makes a country not only more diverse, but stronger, because diversity is a wealth. Then, if we look at international reports, we see there have been no particularly important religious attacks on Kosovo in the last decade”, President Osmani has said.

President Osmani has also spoken of religious tolerance in Kosovo, describing the country as known in the world for tolerance among religions.

She was asked whether it is surprising that a majority Muslim state will elect a woman president

Kosovo is a multi-religious and multicultural society. Our constitution defines the country as a secular state. Of course there are different religions in Kosovo, but we are known worldwide for our religious tolerance. There are families where one element is Muslim and the other Catholic and everything is fine. We have a very active Catholic community, with which I work closely and as you know, Mother Teresa's parents are from Kosovo and she is still one of the most popular figures of all, as an example of the good examples she has given us. Religion was never the reason why Kosovo would not progress. We respect each other, we value each other and, even though it is a secular state, Kosovo protects religious freedom in all its forms. Our society has shown us that it is emancipated in terms of gender equality and evidence of this is voting for a woman, making her the most voted person in the country's history, something some EU countries have yet to achieve. My choice was not the result of a political calculator, I was the person with the most votes, so parliament confirmed my election as president. Although we are still fighting discrimination, we can serve as an example for other countries in terms of achievements in public life and, above all, in the way women's representation and, above all, through the vote of citizens”, Osmani said.