The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, received today with the highest state honors, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor.
After the state ceremony, the two Presidents held the joint tête-à-tête meeting and then also the joint meeting of the two delegations, during which the mutual cooperation between the two countries was highly praised.
President Thaçi expressed the gratitude on his behalf, on the behalf of the Kosovo institutions and the people of Kosovo to President Pahor for his visit to the Republic of Kosovo close to the marking of the 10th Anniversary of Kosovo’s Independence.
The Head of State said that we are very grateful to the Slovenian institutions and the Slovenian people for the good understanding they have always shown for Kosovo, for peace and stability in the region
“Slovenia is one of the first countries to recognize the Republic of Kosovo. Kosovo will never forget this fact, we will respect and will always be grateful for the recognition you have given to Kosovo”, said President Thaçi further adding that “With this recognition you have helped the people of Kosovo, but also the peace, the stability in general in the Western Balkans region”.
President Thaçi, highly praising the bilateral relations between Kosovo and Slovenia said that they have been and continue to remain excellent, inviting Slovenian investors to come and invest in Kosovo.
“Our bilateral relations have been, are, and will continue to remain brilliant. We have no open issues. I feel very good that the Slovenian investors are among the most important investors in the Republic of Kosovo, I take the opportunity to once again invite others to come. Kosovo has created a good, attractive and encouraging climate for international investors, the best example we have is the one of the energy sector where recently an agreement has been signed between the institutions of Kosovo and US companies for investments in the energy sector in Kosovo, which includes an investment of 1 billion and 300 million Euros, being these investments that will be very important for Kosovo’s future development”, said President Thaçi.
The Head of State said that Kosovo has been recognized by 115 states, has joined around 200 different international organizations and that our goal and aim is to be part of NATO, the European Union and the United Nations as soon as possible.
“Kosovo has built excellent relations with all its neighbors, with Macedonia, with Albania and with Montenegro, has welcomed Montenegro’s membership in NATO as the best message for peace in the region and of the Euro-Atlantic spirit”, continued President Thaçi.
Regarding the issue of the demarcation, President Thaçi said that this problematic belongs to Kosovo, the agreement is right.
“Between Kosovo and Montenegro, our reports are of mutual interest, are excellent, strategic. We are also working with Serbia to implement all the agreements reached in Brussels. Also during this year to reach the other historical agreement, the final one, that would mean the full normalization of relations and reconciliation between our two countries as a prerequisite for European integration”, added President Thaçi, continuing further that “We will continue to be active part in the fight against terrorism and all extremism as well, and of course we will face our challenges together in the European spirit. We have welcomed President Junker’s strategy for the Western Balkan countries. Of course, Kosovo has expected a little more clarity, but Kosovo will also fulfill its obligations with regard to the issue of the demarcation in a short time, I hope in this regard and we are working intensively. Also with regard to the establishment of the association of Serb-majority municipalities”.
He said that after 10 years of Independence, we are building a new, European, developing country with good neighborly relations and with a secure Euro-Atlantic perspective.
Whereas President Pahor pledged that the cooperation between Kosovo and Slovenia will be further developed, helping each another in the Western Balkans region we will contribute to peace, security, prosperity and the Euro-Atlantic perspective of this region.
He said that our countries are friend countries, and that Slovenia is an important investor in Kosovo.
In the end, President Thaçi said that the Slovenian support and experience is crucial to us.
“Once again, I am very grateful to you for your personal engagement and thankful also to your role as Prime Minister, and now as President of Slovenia, and since it is the first physical meeting after the elections in the second term, best wishes and the best successes”, said President Thaçi.