The Democracy Summit, Osmani: Kosovo has made remarkable progress in advancing democracy

President Vjosa Osmani has said that for Kosovo it was a strong desire for democracy that secured the way to freedom and independence.

She, in her virtual presentation at the Second Summit of Democracy in the White House, has said democracy will pave the way for a brighter future within Euro-Atlantic institutions.

At its very core, democracy has to do with the right to choose direction, future and destiny. The people of Kosovo have chosen their own path. This year's summit on Democracy has certainly been our year of action! With full strength and enthusiasm, we have worked to implement the vows that we have set last year”, Osmani said.

Full Declaration:

Democracy is more than just a system of government. For the Republic of Kosovo, it was our strong desire for democracy that secured our way towards freedom and independence. And by strengthening it today, democracy will pave the way for a brighter future within Euro-Atlantic institutions.

At its very core, democracy has to do with the right to choose your direction, future and destiny. The people of Kosovo have chosen their own path.

This year's summit on Democracy has certainly been our year of action! With full strength and enthusiasm, we have worked to fulfill the vows that we have appointed last year.

But, “the year of action” has also been a year of significant global challenges, with flagrant human rights violations occurring around the world as we are gathered today.

Kosovo knows very well how an innocent people feel who in their own skin experience a brutal and genocide war, and precisely because we know it, without any doubt we quickly imposed sanctions against Russia and have without stopping the people of Ukraine.

The immense suffering of the Ukrainian people serves as a powerful reminder that no price is too high to pay for freedom and democracy and we will continue to stay with our allies to protect these values throughout the world.

Over the past year, we have made remarkable progress in advancing democracy, strengthening rule of law and fighting corruption. We are implementing the National Strategy for Rule of Law, in addition to non-compromy reforms and at a record rate to ensure an accounting, equal and effective government in all public institutions.

Our efforts have been recognized worldwide. Together with our friends from the Dominican Republic we have joined the time of rule of Law under the Summit for Democracy. In addition, according to Freedom House, Kosovo in 2022 is ranked the third most improved democracy in the world, and in only two years has been raised for 20 countries higher in Transparency International's anticorruption index.

Since our last meeting, we have worked without stopping to advance diversity and inclusion as the foundation for human rights protection. We pledged the establishment of the Presidential Council for Democracy and Human Rights and managed. This Council has provided oversight of our commitments and commitments from the highest institutions in the country and every layer of governance, and the work of this Council will continue beyond the second edition of the summit.

We are also proud to report on the adoption of a bold national strategy against gender-based violence and for taking significant steps to guarantee the woman's rightful place in public institutions and decision-making roles.

A strong democracy is a democracy that works for women as well. We have taken important steps, but as women continue to face mobbing in workplaces, domestic violence, forced silence in class or mistreatment during street walks this battle is far from over.

During this “action years”, Kosovo has led global discussions on advancing women's rights as a host of the International Forum for Women, Peace and Security with over 500 influential participants in this area from 6 continents, and in October of this year we will welcome you all to the second edition in our capital, Pristina.

Dear colleagues,

Our dedication to democracy is not only a summit pledge, it is our daily existence on the front line against the autocracy.

Our devotion has been and will always be invincible.

Our devotion to working with partners worldwide to protect and feed him is also invincible.

As President Beden recently said: “in moments of major unrest and uncertainty, the most important thing is to know what it represents. And knowing who's with you makes the difference. ”

Only through uniting forces can we build a future where democracy is a reality for all.

Thank you.