CITY OF NORWALK, IOWA WELCOMES PRESIDENT OF KOSOVO WITH DEDICATION CEREMONY

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CITY OF NORWALK, IOWA WELCOMES PRESIDENT OF KOSOVO WITH DEDICATION CEREMONY

NORWALK, IOWA – The City of Norwalk is thrilled to announce the welcoming ceremony for the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, during her visit to Iowa. This momentous event will take place on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

“President Osmani's visit to Iowa is part of an official state delegation trip to the United States, and the City of Norwalk is honored to host her during this brief stay,” said Economic Development Director, Hollie Zajicek. “The ceremony promises to be a memorable occasion, celebrating the strong ties between our city and the international community.”

The schedule for the day is as follows:

2:30-4:00 p.m. Welcome Ceremony, Location: Norwalk City Hall, 705 North Ave. Norwalk, IA

  • Welcome, Introduction, Speeches
  • Official Proclamation by Mayor Phillips and Norwalk City Council
  • Presentation of a Key to The City to President Osmani
  • Presentation About the Norwalk of Fame and Dedication of a Star in Honor of President Osmani
  • Press Interviews and Photo Opportunities

“This occasion also serves to highlight the strong partnership between the Republic of Kosovo and the State of Iowa. The City of Norwalk is particularly proud of its official sister-city designation with the City of Vushtrri, Kosovo, which has fostered business and trade, police and education exchanges along with productive government cooperation between our two communities,” said Zajicek. “This event showcases the metro’s excellent hospitality and is an opportunity to strengthen international relations.”

Join the City of Norwalk in making this a memorable occasion as we extend our warmest Iowa welcome to President Vjosa Osmani of Kosovo.

The visit is a part of the Iowa-Kosovo relationship that first started when the Iowa National Guard and the Kosovo Security Force became partnered in 2011. Soon after, in 2013, the State of Iowa and Republic of Kosovo became sister states. Since then, dozens of organizations and cities across both Iowa and Kosovo have formed and participated in active relationships. The relationship is so strong that Kosovo opened a consulate in Des Moines in 2016. The Kosovo consulate, located on Court Avenue in Des Moines, remains as Iowa’s only foreign diplomatic office.    

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