President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, received today at a meeting the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr. Borut Pahor, who is visiting Kosovo on an official visit, upon an invitation from President Jahjaga.
President Pahor was received with highest state protocolar ceremonies.
After the intonation of national anthems of both countries, President Jahjaga and President Pahor inspected the KSF Guard of Honour, Afterwards, they held a head to head meeting at the Presidential Cabinet, followed by a meeting of the state delegations of both countries.
President Jahjaga and President Pahor discussed a number of important issues, bilateral relations between Kosovo and Slovenia, cooperation in fields of mutual interest of countries, regional cooperation and other issues.
After the meeting, President Jahjaga and President Pahor held a press conference. Below are the statements of both Presidents:
President Jahjaga: The visit of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr. Borut Pahor to the Republic of Kosovo is in continuation of excellent and friendly relations between our two countries.
I expressed my gratitude to President Pahor on Slovenia’s continuously provided help to Republic of Kosovo, recognition of its independence, establishment of diplomatic relations and development of good relations in all fields.
Our two countries are an example of good relations and both our countries are a factor of peace and stability. I expressed my appreciation to the President of Slovenia for the participation of and the contribution of the officials from the Republic of Slovenia within the UNMIK Police, EULEX and KFOR.
We expressed our readiness to further develop and expand our relations, in particular in the field of economic cooperation and investments, which would open wider perspectives for both countries. We also expressed our will to cooperate in the fields of education and culture, in the interest of our countries and all of our citizens.
Republic of Slovenia, as a member country of the European Union, is endeavouring towards fulfilment of standards by all countries of the region, in order for them to, in shortest possible time period, become EU member states.
The future of all the countries and the nations of the western Balkans in European Union and this path of ours will be eased through mutual cooperation and help.
I informed President Pahor with the principled position held by the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, that all issues are solved through understanding and dialogue by respecting the international and European norms and practices.
I emphasized that the dialogue process between Republic of Kosovo and Republic of Serbia has no other alternative, because only as equals, as sovereign states and with mutual respect, can we normalise the relations between us, as a contribution to stability and peace in the region and beyond.
Participation of Kosovo in all regional and international initiatives as well as in other mechanisms, on an equal footing with other states, helps in finding solutions to common issues related to maintenance of stability, not only in our region. I thanked President Pahor for his principled stance regarding Kosovo’s participation as an equal in regional and international forums, as was the case in the Brdo Summit, organised this year at a presidential level.
Brdo Summit can help the countries of the Balkan region in the process of EU integration and establishment of inter-state relations among the participating countries.
Once again I thank President Pahor for responding positively to my invitation to visit the Republic of Kosovo and for his personal and institutional engagement towards Kosovo’s EU membership journey.
President Pahor: This is the first official visit of the President of the Republic of Slovenia to the Republic of Kosovo. I come to your country as a president of a friendly country; I come here with a desire to further expand this friendship, in all fields possible.
With Madam President we agreed, that we must extend further the tradition of good relations between our two countries, our two nations, and we hope to expand the cooperation in economic cultural and political fields as well. I must emphasize that we will work hard in order to see results.
This visit, in one way, is challenged by a successful dialogue process between Kosovo and Serbia. I would like to express my opinion, and state that this is probably one of the most positive and impressive achievements, a show of wisdom, bravery and political will to achieve a peaceful solution of outstanding issues in western Balkans.
From this viewpoint, I would like to express my appreciation to the leaders of both countries, as well as the people on both sides of the border. I think that for Europe, in this very difficult period, the news that such a grave problem is being resolved with such wisdom and political bravery and understanding, is a positive thinking which may be used to solve other problems in the European and global agenda.
As I said earlier, I have come here to concentrate on bilateral relations of our two states. From a political point of view, I must say that our relations are excellent and, with the forthcoming visit of Madam President to Slovenia, and I hope that she will be accompanied by an economic delegation, the cooperation will be expanded and extended even further.
I also believe that there is ample space for the expansion of economic cooperation between the two countries. Slovenia, according to the extent of investments, is the second largest investor in Kosovo. I would like to say to you, that, during my discussion with Slovene investors in your country, I was given an impression that they strongly believe in what you Madam President mentioned as your European perspective. No doubt that in longer term, that is how things will go, and that’s what I am here for, as such investments have strategic meaning. We would like to see that the exchange of goods and services is augmented and that we will work hard for the benefit of both countries.
There are many people from your country living in Slovenia. They are very hard working people and loyal citizens of the Republic of Slovenia.
We also discussed with Madam President the expansion of relations between our two nations, in the field of culture and other fields, which contribute to the development of tradition, understanding, friendship and alliance between Slovenia and Kosovo.
I would like to end on a personal opinion. I was first in Prishtina in the beginning of the 90’s, as a vice president of the Board for Foreign Policy of the Parliament of Slovenia. Together with our hosts, we were asked on what future awaits the Albanian nation in this part of the world, at that time a very “hot” part of Europe. Later, I had the pleasure to visit Prishtina in the capacity of the Speaker of the Slovene Parliament and have held a speech at the plenary session.
With your permission Madam President, I would like to remind you of an opinion I stated then , and have flash backs of it now, saying that the two nations must learn to live with revered roles, the Albanian nation as a majority nation of the new state, and the Serbian nation as a minority nation. The perspective of this state depends on them, and on the future relations between two countries.
It is important to emphasize that, you have found out that this cohabitation is possible and you must give space to the young people, as Madam President said, think positively. We look upon this with great pride.
I would like to express my appreciation to the nations that back this cohabitation. The Serbian leadership, which has had the great bravery to, after a long period of insistence not to recognise and accept the reality in the field, accept the reality with great responsibility. I think that the leaders have shown bravery, have undertaken a great step, have begun to discuss with you, in order for the relation to normalize in favour of the people. This is a great achievement and I would like to congratulate you on that.
In the end Madam President, I would like to say that with the same amount of enthusiasm, both of us too, as Presidents, must cooperate in order for our people see their future with hope, and a bigger faith in themselves and their families.