President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani to attend NATO Summit in Washington D.C.
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, has traveled to Washington D.C. at the invitation of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to participate in an event organized by the U.S. State Department on Women, Peace, and Security, held within the framework of the NATO Summit marking its 75th anniversary.
Why is this relevant
Secretary Blinken’s invitation is significant as it marks the first time that Kosovo has been invited to events at a NATO summit. In a released statement, the Presidency of Kosovo highlighted that this opportunity enables the creation of new partnerships in Kosovo’s journey towards NATO membership.
“Kosovo’s participation in the event organized by Secretary Blinken dedicated to the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda is a strong indicator of the growing role Kosovo is playing in advancing this agenda globally and its commitment to principles and values supported by NATO,” the Presidency said.
The Office of the President was selected among three global partners by Secretary Blinken’s Office to establish the Regional Center of Excellence for Women, Peace, and Security. The agreement to establish this Center was signed by President Osmani and the Office of Secretary Blinken in April 2024, during the Women, Peace, and Security Forum.
The NATO Summit in Washington D.C. serves as a platform for member states and partner countries to collaborate on urgent global security issues and reaffirm their commitment to a safer future.
Go deeper
Editorial note: The opposition’s protest that wasn’t
Published on December 23, 2024
Parliament Leaders’ Conference rejects opposition’s request on Inquiry into Durrës Port Project
Published on December 23, 2024
Why is this important: The opposition’s requested inquiry would have lasted six months, overlapping with the critical pre-election period. During election seasons, Parliament’s activities, including those of inquiry committees, are limited, making the establishment of such a committee practically unfeasible. The Democratic Party has a history of opposing projects proposed and implemented by their Socialist rivals for political gain. When in power, the Berisha government halted several projects initiated by the Municipality of Tirana, then led by Edi Rama, even demolishing some under construction on questionable grounds without awaiting court rulings. In opposition, the Democrats have continued this pattern, at times organizing protests—some of which turned violent—against projects that later proved to be highly popular and contributed significantly to the Socialists’ electoral successes.
SPAK reclassifies charges against former Minister Ilir Beqaj in sterilization concession case
Published on December 23, 2024
Why is this important: The decision marks a significant escalation in the case, as the charges now carry more severe penalties. Until now, Beqaj was accused solely of abuse of office, while his deputy faced charges of fraud, document forgery, and abuse of office. Businessman Ilir Rrapaj had been charged with fraud. The judge handling this case, previously gained attention when she accepted a request to lift house arrest for opposition leader Sali Berisha, whose own corruption case is set to begin soon. Berisha has credited his party for the new direction in the sterilization case, suggesting it influenced SPAK’s decision to strengthen the charges against the former Socialist minister.