The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Madam Atifete Jahjaga, was received today in Bern by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Madam Simonetta Sommaruga, in the framework of the official visit in Switzerland.
President Jahjaga and President Sommaruga discussed about the deepening of the cooperation between the two countries, with special emphasis on the increasement of investment from Swiss businessmen in Kosovo, which would also enable the opening of new jobs. They also discussed about other developments in Kosovo, illegal migration and the rule of law, and the country’s integration perspective.
President Jahjaga said that Kosovo is working in the creation of a safe business climate and is making ongoing efforts to establish the rule of law and a state of law which allows the country’s economic development. President Jahjaga said that the assistance of Switzerland is important for Kosovo, taking into account a large number of Kosovo citizens who hold the nationality of Switzerland and who are helping their country.
President Somaruga considered the exchange of visits which marks the continuation of the cooperation as very necessary. She assessed that Kosovo and Switzerland have a very good relationship between themselves and this should be used to help the expansion of cooperation in all fields especially in the economic field.
Both Presidents also discussed about the possibility of creating a joint fund between the two countries which would help in the economic development of Kosovo.
Both Presidents held a press conference.
Below we bring the statement of President Jahjaga:
I am honored for being welcomed here today in Bern by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Madam Simonetta Sommaruga. Our two countries have a long history of friendship and cooperation and the ties between our two countries are inseparable, since a large number of our countrymen have been assisted and sheltered in Switzerland in the most difficult times in the history of Kosovo and today they are integrated citizens into the Swiss society, live and work with dignity, and are a powerful bridge between our two countries.
On behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, President Sommaruga I expressed the deep gratitude to all those men and women from Switzerland who for entire years have contributed in the framework of the KFOR peacekeeping force for peace and stability in Kosovo.
I also expressed the deep gratitude for the help that Switzerland continues to give to Kosovo in the state-building path and the promotion of the democratic processes, with the aim to become an equal part of the international community.
We discussed today about various issues of our common interest and above all about the opening of direct investment opportunities in Kosovo, which will help the economic development of the country and also will open the prospects for our citizens.
Switzerland is one of the four European countries which has invested the most in Kosovo and considering the large number of our compatriots living in this country today, the deepening and expansion of cooperation in the economic field would be of particular importance for both our countries.
We have opened various issues for discussion among which also the one on illegal migration of the citizens from Kosovo. Switzerland is among the few countries which has had the least asylum requests from the citizens of Kosovo during the last three months. We agreed on a close cooperation in the repatriation process of all those asylum seekers from Kosovo, who unfortunately have fallen prey of criminal groups, which have benefited from their misfortune. The institutions of Kosovo are working in reviving the economy, the creation of a better business climate which will attract foreign investment, by enabling the opening of work and also will restore their perspective in the country.
Kosovo today needs a boost from friend countries and also for strong support on its path of European integrations. Kosovo is today a place of stability and peace in the region and of good neighborliness, powerful contributor to security not only inside the country, but also to regional and wider security.