DioGuardi, a former Republican congressman, proposed Faton Bislimi for the presidency in a letter addressed to the leaders of Kosovo’s four largest political parties – Vetëvendosje (LVV), PDK, LDK and the Alliance.

He urged political leaders to consider Bislimi’s candidacy on its merits rather than on political or personal preferences.

“Kosovo deserves better. It deserves functioning institutions, political leaders willing to put the interests of the Republic above party priorities, and a president capable of uniting the country rather than deepening its divisions,” DioGuardi wrote.

He said Kosovo needed a president able to win the trust of more than one political camp, engage with both the government and opposition without becoming an instrument of either, represent all citizens and communities, and represent the country with credibility and dignity in Washington, Brussels and other international capitals.

DioGuardi said he had known Bislimi for more than two decades and had followed his commitment to Kosovo and his development as a public servant.

Bislimi’s background includes education in North America, including a degree from Harvard, experience with U.S. democratic institutions and service as a member of Kosovo’s parliament. He has also worked in political, academic, civic and international fields to strengthen Kosovo and its ties with the United States, DioGuardi said.

“A president must be more than a professional biography. A president must have character, independence and sound judgment. The presidency must belong to the Republic, not to a party,” he wrote, adding that he believed Bislimi possessed those qualities.

DioGuardi also praised Bislimi’s ability to build bridges between generations, Kosovo and its diaspora, Pristina and Washington, and political forces that are currently divided.

He urged party leaders to put Bislimi’s name on the table and assess his candidacy on its merits.

“Kosovo does not need another president who becomes the trophy at the end of a political contest. Kosovo needs a president who can become a symbol of the end of that contest,” DioGuardi wrote.

He said Bislimi had the education, experience, political acumen and commitment needed to serve as president, describing him as the candidate best prepared to lead the country at a time when consensus was most needed.

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Osmani received Colonel Jonathan Lloyd of the Louisiana National Guard, departing commander of Regional Command East of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission, along with his successor, Colonel Sam Sargeant.

She thanked Lloyd for his service and commitment during his tenure, crediting him with contributing to strengthened security and stability in Kosovo and the wider region. Osmani presented him with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of his work.

According to a statement from her office, President Osmani welcomed Sargeant and assured him of the full support of Kosovo’s institutions in fulfilling his mandate and that of the NATO-led mission.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the people of Kosovo, the head of state stated that continued presence of the United States Army within KFOR is essential for maintaining peace and stability in Kosovo and across the region.

She added that Kosovo would remain grateful to the United States for its steadfast support at every stage of the country’s development.

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“President Osmani expects all parliamentary parties to implement the recent Constitutional Court ruling and finalize the constitutive session of parliament within 30 days, as required by the court,” Kupina said.

“If necessary, the President is ready to request further clarification from the Constitutional Court,” he added.

Since April 15, 39 unsuccessful parliamentary sessions have been held, failing to establish the new legislature. Disagreements persist among parties, particularly over the ruling Vetëvendosje’s nominee for speaker and the party’s demand to change the voting method from open to secret ballot.

In a ruling issued on June 26, the Constitutional Court ordered that the Assembly be constituted within 30 days.

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In a post on the social media after the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) summit in Tirana on Monday, President Osmani also reaffirmed Kosovo’s clear and unwavering path toward the EU and NATO, as a natural part of the Euro-Atlantic family.

“Kosovo citizens should not be held hostage by measures that that directly harm them and that serve neither peace, nor dialogue, nor the European future of our region,” Osmani stated.

She expressed gratitude to Albanian President Bajram Begaj for the warm welcome and his leadership during this year’s SEECP Summit in Tirana.

“In my remarks, I underlined that EU enlargement is not a charity process—it is a strategic investment in Europe’s own security and its own future. It is therefore time for the EU to take concrete and merit-based steps toward Kosovo, including the removal of unjust measures and the granting of candidate status to our country,” President Osmani said.

“Kosovo’s path is clear and unwavering: toward the EU and NATO, as a natural part of the Euro-Atlantic family,” Kosovo President concluded.

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Kosovo President announced on a post on the social media that she first met with International Republican Institute (IRI) representatives to discuss the critical role of advancing the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, security cooperation, building strong partnerships, and the country’s commitment to the Euro-Atlantic future.

During her visit, Osmani also awarded “the Order of Freedom” and “the Order of Independence” to several U.S. personalities for their “relentless efforts and firm commitment to Kosovo’s peace, freedom and independence.

“Ambassador William Walker, the late Congressman Tom Lantos, Ambassador Daniel Fried, Josh Black and Mira Ricardel have stood with us, shoulder to shoulder, in our efforts for peace, freedom, and independence. They’ve built a legacy that will forever be honored by the people of Kosovo—an impact felt by all of us. Their support shaped our past, strengthens our present, and inspires the promise of our future,” Osmani wrote on social media platform X.

She said that economic cooperation, strategic investments, and digital development were discussed in meetings with the leadership of the American Chamber of Commerce, as well as with representatives from Google and Amazon.

“We focused on Kosovo’s full integration into global digital platforms, empowering the private sector, and advancing our bilateral relations,” Osmani concluded.

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“I am convinced that Ukraine will one day recognize Kosovo’s independence,” President Osmani told reporters ahead of the Ukraine-Southeast Europe summit being held in the capital of Albania.

The summit is expected to discuss security issues and support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

“We are here to voice support for Ukraine, joining the rest of the world and the rest of democracies in imposing sanctions against Russia. We are here to renew our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Kosovo President said in a brief statement at the reception by Prime Minister Edi Rama and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of the summit.

Osmani has emphasized that during the summit, she will speak about the concrete steps Kosovo has taken to condemn the invasion initiated by Moscow in Ukraine in 2022.

Asked by reporters whether she would seek recognition of Kosovo’s statehood from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Osmani said: “These are bilateral issues; we have always made such a request and will continue to do so, with full understanding that Ukraine is in an extraordinary situation, in a state of war, fighting for its freedom and independence. Recognition will come together with Ukraine’s victory.”

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, the Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana Krišto, the President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski, the President of Moldava, Maia Sandu etc are attending the Ukraine-Southeast Europe summit in Tirana.

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President Osmani received Senator Jack Reed, chairman of the Armed Forces Committee in the US Senate. The President’s office said in a press release that Osmani said during meeting that Kosovo is the closest ally and friend of the United States of America in the region.

“The USA has no greater ally and friend in the region than the Republic of Kosovo, which has the most pro-American people in Europe and the world,” President Osmani emphasized.

Osmani stated that Kosovo has taken steps to de-escalate the situation in the north of the country, but pointed out Serbia’s destabilizing actions and its cooperation with Russia.

She also stated that Kosovo is a multi-ethnic state, whose Constitution guarantees a high level of protection of the rights and freedoms of all communities. According to President Osmani, these rights and freedoms are the essence of the values of Kosovo society and as such should remain intact.

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“At 4:00 p.m., the President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani will receive the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania Edi Rama,” the President’s office said in a press release.

PM Edi Rama will begin his two-day tour today in all Western Balkan countries in the framework of the preparations ahead of the Berlin Process summit, which will be hosted in Albania in October.

After Prime Minister Albin Kurti conditioned meeting with PM Rama to take place in the framework of a joint governments meeting only, Rama hasn’t obviously changed his position and he will meet with the country’s president, Vjosa Osmani, instead.

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President Osmani praised MEPs for being staunch advocates for visa-free regime for Kosovo citizens.

“To all current and former MEPs who have been the staunchest advocates in achieving visa liberalisation for Kosovo: Thank you!” Thank you for being the voice of the people of Kosovo at the EU Parliament,” Osmani said via Twitter, particularly expressing gratitude to MEPs Ulrike Lunacek, Tanja Fajon, Lukas Mandl, Viola VOn Cramon, Thijs Reuten, and Ilhan Kyuchyuk.

On Tuesday, the European Parliament endorsed the agreement on short-stay visa freedom with Kosovo. Citizens of Kosovo will be allowed to travel to the EU –and EU citizens to go to Kosovo- without requesting a visa, for periods of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

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President Osmani received U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Murphy, and Thom Tillis, who are visiting Prishtina today as part of their Balkan tour, and informed them on latest developments in Kosovo and the region.

In a press conference following the meeting, Kosovo President noted that the European continent is under threat because of the destabilization caused by Russia as its closest ally Serbia continues its destructive role in the Balkans.

President Osmani said that she informed U.S. Senators on Serbia’s aims, which as she said, are to return Balkans in the past.

“Russia was and is interested to destabilise our continent and region,” Osmani said, adding that destabilisation tendencies will be prevented because “this is the will of Kosovo, as the most pro-American and pro-NATO nation in the world.

Senator Jeane Shaheen said that the visit shows bipartisan support of the US Senate.

“We look forward to supporting your aspirations to become part of NATO. Senator Tillis and I are co-chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group and we work hard to support the US Congress efforts of what NATO is doing to support aspirations of countries such as Kosovo which are interested to join NATO,” Shaheen said.

“We also support your continuous aspirations to move towards the EU and for your partnership with the West,” she said. Senator Shaheen said the US shares Kosovo concerns that the Russian’s invasion in Ukraine might affect the Western Balkan region.

The visiting US Senators will also be meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

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