Tue Sep 23 10:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Summary:

The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, visited Waterbury, Connecticut, to thank the Albanian community for their enduring support. She was greeted by enthusiastic crowds, including children in traditional attire, at the Albanian American Cultural Center. Osmani-Sadriu emphasized the strong bond between Kosovo and the United States and highlighted the community’s vital role in Kosovo’s independence. Local officials, including Senator Richard Blumenthal and Mayor Paul Pernerewski Jr., also expressed their support and appreciation for the Albanian community’s contributions to Waterbury.

## News Article:

**Kosovo President Visits Waterbury, Thanks Albanian Community for Support**

**Waterbury, CT –** President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu of Kosovo received a warm welcome in Waterbury, Connecticut, on Saturday evening as she visited to express her gratitude to the city’s vibrant Albanian community for their unwavering support. The visit underscored the strong ties between Kosovo and the United States, particularly the Albanian diaspora.

The President was greeted by a jubilant crowd at the Albanian American Cultural Center, including children dressed in traditional Albanian clothing, eagerly awaiting her arrival with bouquets of roses.

“With your help, Kosovo found its voice in the world and the dream of freedom and independence became a reality,” Osmani-Sadriu told the crowd. She emphasized the importance of strengthening the relationship between Kosovo and the United States for future generations, ensuring “a bond that is unbreakable, a partnership that endures and a future built on freedom and the dignity.”

Kosovo, a nation of approximately one million people primarily of Albanian descent, declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and has since maintained a strong alliance with the United States.

Senator Richard Blumenthal echoed the President’s sentiments, stating, “The freedom fighters of Kosovo deserve our wholehearted support, and I will continue to be there in your corner.”

The event drew individuals not only from Waterbury, which boasts a significant Albanian population, but also from neighboring states. “We feel like one still,” said Mugni Zhaku, traveling from Franklin, New Jersey. “We are here but our hearts are there.”

Mayor Paul Pernerewski Jr. presented President Osmani-Sadriu with a key to the city, symbolizing the enduring welcome extended to her and the people of Kosovo. “Their contribution to our city’s culture, our economy and our civic life have enriched Waterbury for generations,” Pernerewski said, noting the shared values of faith, family, and hard work that connect the two communities.

The President’s visit served as a powerful reminder of the deep-seated connection between Kosovo and its diaspora, and the continued commitment to fostering a strong and enduring relationship between Kosovo and the United States.

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