The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani commenced today her official visit to Austria.
Following the highest state honours, President Osmani held her first meeting with the Austrian President, Alexander Van der Bellen.
Both interlocutors touched upon the friendly relations between the states and at the same time expressed their readiness for their expansion. On this occasion, President Osmani cordially thanked President Van der Bellen for Austria's support for Kosovo from the recognition of independence to the handling of the pandemic.
“Austria remains a strategic partner and one of the closest allies of our Republic. Our institutions and our people are always grateful to you,” said President Osmani. Furthermore, she emphasized that she expects the continuation of Austrian support in Kosovo’s European path, visa liberalization process as well as membership in other international organizations.
“We see in Austria a friendly state that has supported us in all the delicate stages throughout history. Our efforts for independence have found strong support in the Austrian state, starting from the time of the historic president, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, continuing with the support of our young people who have studied in Austrian universities to the support in the process of liberation and independence of Kosovo. Today, we again need Austrian support for us to move freely and to further strengthen Kosovo's international subjectivity. “I firmly believe that we will have Austria on our side”, said President Osmani after the meeting with President Van der Bellen.
Focusing on new opportunities for cooperation, in addition to cooperation in the field of economic investment, education, as well as cultural cooperation, President Osmani stressed that the special focus of this visit is the exchange of knowledge and best practices in the field of environmental protection and promotion of the Green Agenda.
President Osmani also mentioned the Kosovar diaspora in this country, which is a strong friendship bridge between the two countries.
Related to the Dialogue, President Osmani reiterated the position of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo that the dialogue should end with mutual recognition within the current borders.