PRISTINA, Jan 25 /ATA/ Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, in an interview with the BBC, stated that Kosovo represents the example of a country that understands firsthand the cost and journey toward peace, recalling the wartime period and the decisive role of international allies.
She emphasized that international intervention provided Kosovo with the opportunity for peace and freedom, while also highlighting the state’s achievements over the years.
“There are many reasons, but perhaps let us go back in time, 26 years ago. Kosovo was a country that was torn by war. Genocide was being committed against the people of Kosovo, and under the leadership of the United States, and certainly with the support of the United Kingdom and many democratic countries around the world, our lives were saved. We were given a chance to peace, we were given a chance to live free, and today we are sovereign, democratic, independent, and most importantly, our children are the first generation in the history of our nation who have not known war and have been enjoying peace,” Osmani emphasized.
President Osmani defended Kosovo’s decision to join a new international organization called the “Board of Peace,” emphasizing that the move is grounded in Kosovo’s historical experiences, the need for a more proactive approach to achieving peace, and overcoming the veto-induced deadlocks that exist within the United Nations.
“We know how peace can be achieved, and it is achieved through action. At that time, I was a child of war, growing up under grenades, and like everyone of my generation, our lives were at stake. But the point is that what we were hearing then were United Nations General Assembly resolutions – they were pieces of paper, they were words, but zero action – until the United States came along and rallied the world behind to save us. So, the very first reason is this difference between peace making and peace keeping. We need a powerful international organization that is involved in peace making and achieving peece. And then, of course, the UN would be involved in peace keeping, which it does best, and it has done so through the support of many nations here in Kosovo over the past ten years,” she said.
One of the most sensitive points discussed was the possibility of President Osmani sitting next to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the meetings of this board. She responded by emphasizing that, unlike the United Nations Security Council, where Russia has veto power and has blocked Kosovo’s membership, Russia will not have such authority in this new organization.
“It is better to be in an organization where Russia cannot block peace in the world,” she said, adding that the countries criticizing this move already sit next to Russia at the UN.
“We have been trying to become members of the United Nations for a very long time, and Russia has blocked us because of its veto power. In this organization, Russia has no veto. In this organization, the Republic of Kosovo, my country, has been invited to be a founding member, an equal member state,” she emphasized.
Addressing speculation about a high membership fee, Osmani categorically denied that Kosovo had been asked to provide any financial contribution. She clarified that the organization’s charter does not imply any financial obligations on its members, except for those who wish to contribute voluntarily.
“We have not been asked to pay at this stage. The charter does not ask for any specific financial contribution, even after three years, except from those who wish to contribute voluntarily,” she emphasized.
In conclusion, President Osmani emphasized that Kosovo’s role on this board will not be passive. She described Kosovo as a “beacon of light” and a success story in state-building, democracy, and peace-making. According to her, Kosovo will share its best practices to assist other countries in building sustainable peace.
“It is our time to give back for all the help we have received,” she concluded, emphasizing that membership on this board is a strategic move to strengthen sovereignty and actively contribute to global peace.
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