Christian Schwarz-Schilling, a prominent German political figure and long-time supporter of Kosovo, has passed away at the age of 95 on April 6, 2026.
Schwarz-Schilling held several key roles throughout his career, including serving as High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina and as a long-serving member of the German Bundestag, as well as a federal minister in multiple governments.
Kosovo’s ambassador Astrit Zemaj reacted to the news in a public statement, describing him as a great friend of Kosovo and a strong voice in support of its freedom and independence.
Zemaj noted that he had the honor of meeting Schwarz-Schilling several times, hosting him at the Consulate of the Republic of Kosovo in Frankfurt and visiting him at his residence in Hessen.
“Every meeting with him was meaningful, filled with lessons from his experience and inspiring in how to work for the state and its future,” Zemaj said, adding that such encounters were a special privilege both personally and for Kosovo.
He also shared that Schwarz-Schilling consistently supported Kosovo’s independence and emphasized the importance of building a strong democratic state, with a focus on economic development, education, and Euro-Atlantic integration.
Born on November 19, 1930, Schwarz-Schilling was a key figure within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) for decades and remained actively engaged in supporting Kosovo on the international stage.
Ambassador Zemaj extended his sincere condolences to the family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him.
