Osmani: The Declaration of Independence and Rugova’s photograph are foundations of the state, not decorative elements

Kosovo’s sixth president, Vjosa Osmani, has responded to the relocation of the photograph of historic President Ibrahim Rugova and the Declaration of Independence from their previous positions in the office of President Justina Shiroka-Pula.

Osmani mentioned Bekim Sejdiu, the former candidate nominated by the LDK for the post of president, emphasizing that he would not have taken such an action.

She said that symbols and figures of fundamental importance to the state should be placed in places of honor. She stressed that the Declaration of Independence and the photograph of Ibrahim Rugova cannot be treated as decoration, since they represent the foundations of the state of Kosovo.

“I believe everyone in Kosovo knows that Bekim Sejdiu, an outstanding candidate whom we nominated for president, would never have moved the Declaration of Independence or the photograph of the historic president. Today, people may try to justify moving them to other areas or corners as something normal, but from the Oval Office of the U.S. presidency to other important offices, it is understood who belongs in places of honor. These are not decorative elements. They are the foundations of the state of Kosovo. Anyone who relativizes this issue also relativizes the very history of Kosovo,” Osmani said.