- Title: First group of Afghan refugees arrives in Kosovo for temporary shelter
- Date: 29th August 2021
- Summary: PRISTINA, KOSOVO (AUGUST 29, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF US AIR FORCE PLANE ON RUNWAY PROPELLORS MEMBERS OF MILITARY LEAVING PLANE VARIOUS OF LUGGAGE BEING REMOVED FROM PLANE VARIOUS OF EVACUEES AND MEMBERS OF MILITARY LEAVING PLANE GROUP OF PEOPLE WALKING ACROSS RUNWAY GROUP OF PEOPLE LED BY PRESIDENT OF KOSOVO VJOSA OSMANI AND PRIME MINISTER OF KOSOVO ALBIN KURTI WALKING ACROSS RUNWAY VARIOUS OF PRESIDENT OF KOSOVO VJOSA OSMANI AND PRIME MINISTER OF KOSOVO ALBIN KURTI TALKING WITH GROUP OF PEOPLE (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF KOSOVO VJOSA OSMANI, SAYING: "Many years ago we were victims of genocide ourselves and we were forced to flee therefore, as I often say, we know their pain very well. We wanted to make them all just not feel welcome but most of all to feel safe after the war they have been going through. But at the same time we are very proud to be joining other NATO allies, especially the United States of America, in this extremely impiortant humanitarian effort in order to not just save lives but, at the same time, to make sure that all of these people who are forced to flee have a safe home now, have a place to stay. And we will be alongside all of the NATO partners until of course all of this is completed successfully." PRESIDENT OF KOSOVO VJOSA OSMANI AND PRIME MINISTER OF KOSOVO ALBIN KURTI STANDING ON RUNWAY (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRIME MINISTER OF KOSOVO ALBIN KURTI, SAYING: "Tonight we welcomed Afghan refugees who used to work for NATO and we told them that they are our guests and they are safe in the Republic of Kosovo. Over 22 years ago it was NATO humanitarian intervention who stopped Serbian genocide and now we are honoured to be able to help Afghan refugees who worked for NATO. They left their homes and their country in desperation but we will do everything to make sure they will be safe, secure here. And at the same time will get some rest after all the tiredness that they've gotten through all the travel from Afghanistan to Germany and now to Republic of Kosovo." PRESIDENT OF KOSOVO VJOSA OSMANI AND PRIME MINISTER OF KOSOVO ALBIN KURTI STANDING ON RUNWAY (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRIME MINISTER OF KOSOVO ALBIN KURTI, SAYING: "Other countries, other leaders, other governments are deliberating on Afghan refugees but this was not the case in the Republic of Kosovo. When it comes to humanitarian issues, when it comes to our partners and allies as United States and NATO, we never ask why, we just say how." VARIOUS OF EVACUEES WALKING ACROSS RUNWAY WITH LUGGAGE
- Embargoed: 12th September 2021 23:08
- Keywords: Afghanistan Albin Kurt Albin Kurti Kosovo Pristina Vjosa Osmani evacuees refugees
- Location: PRISTINA, KOSOVO
- City: PRISTINA, KOSOVO
- Country: Kosovo
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Europe,International/National Security
- Reuters ID: LVA001ESC2E6F
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The first group of Afghan refugees arrived in Kosovo on Sunday (August 29), which has agreed to temporarily shelter them until they can be permanently relocated to the United States.
The plane carried 111 people, mainly women and children, who could be seen walking on the tarmac carrying small bags.
Passengers had their temperatures checked upon arrival and will be taken to a camp that previously housed construction workers near Camp Bondsteel, a U.S. Army base about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Pristina.
More planes are expected to arrive in the coming days, a senior government official told Reuters.
Kosovo had agreed to accept 2,000 Afghans in transit to the United States. "We are proud to stand with our allies," Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani told reporters.
Albania and North Macedonia, both NATO members, have also agreed to a proposal by U.S. President Joe Biden's administration to serve as transit countries for Afghan refugees whose final destination is the United States.
(Production: Florian Goga, Soren Larson) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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