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Edita Tahiri
Edita Tahiri.jpg
Minister of Dialogue
In office
9 December 2014 – 9 September 2017
President Hashim Thaci
Prime Minister Isa Mustafa
Preceded by New Office
Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo
In office
22 February 2011 – 9 December 2014
President Hashim Thaci
Prime Minister Isa Mustafa
Preceded by Various
Succeeded by Hashim Thaçi
Personal details
Born (1956-07-29) 29 July 1956 (age 68)
Prizren, Yugoslavia
(now Prizren, Kosovo)
Political party Democratic Alternative of Kosovo - ADK
Alma mater Harvard University
University of Pristina
Johns Hopkins University SAIS
University of Essex
Signature

Edita Tahiri (born 29 July 1956) is an important leader from Kosovo. She played a big part in Kosovo becoming an independent country. She has held many important jobs in the government. These include being a deputy prime minister and a minister for foreign affairs.

She was also a peace negotiator for many years. She helped Kosovo talk with Serbia to improve their relationship. Edita Tahiri signed the Declaration of Independence for Kosovo in 2008. She leads a political party called the Democratic Alternative of Kosovo (ADK). She also helps lead a group for women leaders in Southeast Europe.

A Leader for Kosovo's Independence

Edita Tahiri was a key person in Kosovo's journey to independence. This happened after the Cold War ended. She helped start and lead the Democratic League of Kosovo. This group worked for Kosovo's freedom from 1991 to 1999.

She was the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Kosovo during this time. This was a difficult period for Kosovo. She worked hard to make the world aware of Kosovo's situation. She helped get international support for Kosovo's right to be independent.

Working for Peace

Edita Tahiri was part of the Kosovo team at the Rambouillet Peace Conference in 1999. This conference helped create an agreement. This agreement led to NATO getting involved in Kosovo. NATO's help in 1999 opened the way for Kosovo to become independent.

She also took part in earlier peace talks. For example, she was at the London Peace Conference in 1992. This conference discussed the breakup of former Yugoslavia.

Education and Studies

Edita Tahiri is very well educated. She studied at some of the world's best universities.

University Life

She earned a master's degree from Harvard University in 2002. She studied public administration there. Her professors praised her academic achievements. They called her an "Outstanding student."

She also has a doctoral degree in political sciences. She earned this from the University of Pristina. She worked with Johns Hopkins University SAIS in Washington D.C. for her studies. Her doctoral work focused on how international groups help countries rebuild after war. She looked closely at Kosovo's experience.

Before her political and science studies, she studied engineering. In 1980, she became an electrical and telecommunications engineer. She even wrote a book about electronics. She also did advanced studies in digital telecommunications in the United Kingdom.

Important Roles in Government

Edita Tahiri held many important roles during tough times for Kosovo. She worked to ensure her people's safety and rights.

She was a member of parliament for several terms. She also led the Commission for Foreign Affairs in the Kosovo Assembly. She was a special helper for President Rugova. She also helped lead the Women's Forum within her political party. She founded the Kosovo Center for International Studies in 1994.

Making Kosovo Known

As a foreign minister for a country that was not yet fully recognized, she did a lot. She made sure world leaders knew about Kosovo's situation. She met with important people like Madeleine Albright, who was the US Secretary of State. She also met with NATO Chief General Wesley Clark.

She successfully presented Kosovo's cause to many international diplomats. This helped gain support for Kosovo's independence.

After the War

After the war in Kosovo ended, she worked for democratic changes. She wanted to improve her political party and her country. In 2004, she started a new political party. It was called the Kosovo Democratic Alternative (ADK). She has been its president ever since.

Her party became part of the government in 2010. She has always worked to empower women. She also promotes equality between genders. She helped create the Regional Women's Lobby (RWLSEE) in 2006. This group brings together women political leaders in the region.

Writings and Recognition

Edita Tahiri often writes and gives talks about political issues. She focuses on international relations. She writes a lot about Kosovo and the Balkans region.

Some of her writings include books and articles. She wrote about the Rambouillet Conference. She also wrote about Kosovo's independence and its role in regional stability.

She has received many awards and honors for her work. She is an honorary citizen of Little Rock, USA. She is also an honorary Commissioner of Tennessee District Council, USA. She was a co-founder of an organization for nations and peoples who are not represented.

Today, she teaches political science at universities. She gives speeches at many international conferences. She has also given interviews to major news channels like CNN and BBC.

She speaks several languages fluently. These include Albanian, English, Turkish, Serbian, and Croatian.

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