President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, received today the Governor of the US State of Iowa, Mr. Terry Branstad, with whom she signed the Sister State Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Kosovo and the State of Iowa.
President Jahjaga and Governor Branstad, during a very amicable discussion praised the extensive cooperation between Kosovo and Iowa and emphasized the need for the extension of this cooperation in the fields of economy, culture, agriculture and infrastructure, President Jahjaga and Governor Branstad also stated that good relations between Kosovo and Iowa have been established with the initiation of support which this US State has provided to Kosovo Security Force and stressed the need for continuation of this cooperation in other fields as well.
Madam President also said that partnership between Kosovo and the State of Iowa will help exchange the values and experiences and will offer the citizens of both states greater opportunities.
Governor of the State of Iowa, Mr. Terry Branstad, said that he feels particularly honoured that the State of Iowa has the opportunity to establish partnership relations with the Republic of Kosovo. He also added that Kosovo as a young state has made great advances and assessed that encouragement of foreign investments is of great importance, as equally important as the support for the business community of the country.
The Governor of the State of Iowa is visiting Kosovo, upon an invitation made by the President of the Republic of Kosovo during her visit to this US State last year.
President Jahjaga a Governor Branstad after the meeting where they signed the Partnership Agreement held a press conference.
Addressing the journalists, President Jahjaga stated:
Today, I had the pleasure to host the Governor of the State of Iowa, Mr. Terry Branstad and Mrs. Branstad, who are in Kosovo on an official visit, together with the Governor’s delegation, which also includes the Commander of the Iowa National Guard, General Orr.
I consider this an important visit, a visit of expansion of cooperation of our two countries, of the help and support of the State of Iowa provided to Kosovo Security Force and to the support of the State of Iowa to our education system, health care and cooperation. This cooperation will expand even further and we shall enjoy mutual benefits from the scientific cooperation of our respective institutes as well as the industry of manufacturing and utilisation of agricultural products by the industry itself.
Partnership agreement on Sister States which we signed today has a particular importance, as it creates new opportunities for the exchange of experiences between our two states, opportunities for development in the fields of economy, culture, justice and education. Through this partnership, new opportunities will be created for absorption of investments, augmentation of human capacities, utilisation of our natural potential as well as for the promotion of our common values. Through the signing of this partnership, we are continuing to reinforce our joint dedication for the development of friendly relations between our two states.
I expressed my gratitude to the Governor on behalf of the institutions of Kosovo and its citizens for the imperative role which he has played towards strengthening of the cooperation between the two states of ours and instigation of continuous partnership in the fields of common interest.
Last year, during my official visit to the United States of America, in the capacity of the President of Kosovo, as part of my visit, I had the pleasure to visit the State of Iowa, a very advantageous visit, where I had great discussions with the administration officials, with experts of various fields as well as with ordinary citizens.
Honourable Governor of the State of Iowa, I am certain that in whichever part of my country you might have visited or will be visiting, you will feel the immense love for the people of the United States of America, as well as the respect and heart-felt gratitude for the help which the American nation provided to Kosovo to gain its freedom, to become independent and build a democracy. I assure you that the ideals of the forefathers which shaped America are a permanent inspiration and a guiding light for me and my nation in our journey ahead towards the future.