Osman in Finland: We don't want favors, but merit processes and integration.

I am especially honored to be in Finland, the birthplace of the late Ahtisaari, who is a major figure of peace whose leadership has helped pave the way for freedom and independence of Kosovo. His legacy still remains interlocked into the tissue of our modern Republic”, President Osmani said at the beginning of his word.

Underlining the strong link between the two countries, the president stressed that the people of Kosovo will always maintain gratitude for what Ahtisaari and Finland have done for Kosovo. She singled out friendship as a bond that belongs not only to the past but is alive, growing, and focused on the future.

“We are proud to call you one of our closest partners, and yet Finnish support has been long-term even through contribution to the KFOR mission. Over 7 thousand Finnish soldiers, men and women have maintained peace and stability in our region”, she added, stressing that there will be the honour of sharing the Presidential Military Medal of the Finland Armed Forces as a high assessment of all support in the KFOR mission.

President Osmani announced that with her Finnish counterpart, she had a fruitful discussion on building ever closer relations between our peoples and states. It linked this to similar stories of the two countries in the face of oppression and freedom struggle.

“As two countries that have had historic difficulties against oppression we know very well the price of freedom, and for that, Kosovo and Finland have remained steadfast with Ukraine since the first day of the Russian holiday. So, our countries must continue to raise their voices against Russia's territorial ambitions and its imperialistic thinking, thus stabilising our institutional achievements”, Osmani said.

Next, the first state stopped at Kosovo's Euro-Atlantic integration processes, stressing commitment to democratic values and respect of the law.

Kosovo today has the highest level of democracy, rule of law and is among the fastest performing economies in our region”, she said, recalling that despite compliance with EU foreign and security policy, membership in the Council of Europe is still under consideration.

“We don't want favors, we don't want cuts, we just want merit processes, integration and compliance with European values, for which we have had support from Finland from the first day,” stressed Osmani, praising also Finland for historic NATO membership, which, according to it, has made Europe safer.

Under the deepening security co-operation, President Osmani suggested that she has proposed today to her Finnish counterpart a more comprehensive military and defence agreement between the two countries. The “would be a natural step, when our democracies should stand side by side and reflect bilatheral co-operation”, she added.

Speaking to reports with Serbia, President Osmani stressed that Kosovo has chosen dialogue as the only means to resolve remaining issues, noting the importance of respecting international agreements and rule of law.

Our neighbor doesn't believe in these principles, but we have extended our hand of cooperation, as we want to make sure that our children, the first generation that has known only peace and not war, never get past what we've been through at”, Osmani underlined.

In closing its address to President Osmani thanked Finland for its hospitality and for the successful involvement of the Kosovo diaspora, reconfirming the devotion of the Republic of Kosovo as an independent state, proud of its identity, history and potential, brilliant youth to offer new opportunities for co-operation.