President Vjosa Osmani of Kosovo held a meeting with the European Union Election Observation Mission (EOM) team, led by Nathalie Loiseau, a Member of the European Parliament.
The discussions centered on ensuring a free, fair, and democratic electoral process for the upcoming general parliamentary elections on February 9, 2025.
Key Points from the Meeting:
Commitment to Democratic Standards:
President Osmani and Chairwoman Loiseau emphasized the importance of a transparent and fair election process, acknowledging Kosovo’s history of commitment to democratic practices.
Request for EU Observation Mission:
President Osmani highlighted her September 3, 2024, letter to Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, requesting the deployment of the EOM.
Focus on Gender Representation:
- Osmani reiterated the need for the mission to prioritize gender representation across all stages of the electoral process.
- She emphasized:
- Women’s inclusion in candidate lists.
- Gender budgeting.
- Visibility of women in media.
- Addressing gender-based violence, including online abuse during campaigns.
Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities:
Osmani stressed the importance of monitoring accessibility for persons with disabilities, particularly regarding polling station access.
Addressing Challenges in Northern Kosovo:
Reflecting on past reports, including EU observation missions, Osmani underlined concerns over unlawful interference, intimidation, and barriers to free voting in northern municipalities.
Osmani expressed gratitude for the EU’s continuous support for democracy in Kosovo and the critical role of election observation missions since 2013.
