President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, received today at a meeting the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Ueli Maurer.
President Jahjaga and President Maurer discussed the developments in
the Republic of Kosovo and its integrational processes. They said that
relations between Kosovo and Switzerland are very good and added that
cooperation between the two countries will be expanded even further,
with particular accent on the economic development and investments.
After the meeting, President Jahjaga and President Maurer issued a statement in front of the media, as presented below:
President Jahjaga: With the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Ueli Maurer, we had a
very amicable and cordial meeting. Kosovo and Switzerland have a long
history of connectivity with each other, and I personally, on behalf of
the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, expressed my gratitude to
President Maurer, for the help that Switzerland has provided to Kosovo,
in its opening of a new chapter of state building and of a democratic
and all inclusive society.
For longer than 14 years, Swiss peace
keeping forces, as part of the NATO Force, have helped in the
maintenance of the peace and in establishment of a safe environment for
the citizens of Kosovo, and demonstrating a dedication towards building
of an advanced Kosovo.
The help of the Swiss forces continues to
remain necessary for the stabilization of Kosovo on its path of
Euro-Atlantic integrations and building of our security mechanisms.
Relations
between our two countries are unbreakable, because Switzerland has for
decades shown its readiness to help the citizens of Kosovo , has hosted a
number of our compatriots, who today are integrated into and respect by
the Swiss society; they live and work there with dignity and are a
powerful bridge for the relations between our two countries.
Swiss
Confederation is one of the first countries which recognized the
independence of Kosovo and is helping the consolidation of our statehood
and providing support for the processes which our country is going
through.
Kosovo today continues to be an important factor of
peace and good neighbourliness in the region and has demonstrated this
through its full engagement in the dialogue in Brussels with the
Republic of Serbia and by achieving of the agreement on normalization of
relations between the two states. The path of European integration goes
through full normalization of relations between two states and full
implementation of all agreements achieved so far.
Republic of
Kosovo is a state of all of its equal citizens, and the constitutional
and legal rights and freedoms must be utilized by everyone, inclusive of
our citizens of Serbian ethnicity residing at the northern parts of our
country. Through the process of local elections which ended yesterday
in the northern part of our country, we are completing the integrative
process of all the communities, of the Serbian community as well, into
the institutions and the society of Kosovo, and we are at the same time
closing the chapter of conflicts and disagreements in our country. Local
elections demonstrate the compactness of the country and the ending of
the internal integrations process in order to continue with dedication
through the European integrations chapter. This path brings us all
together- the Citizens of the country- regardless.
Mr. President, thank you for your visit and for the friendship between our two countries.
President Maurer: Madam President, honourable ladies and gentlemen, thank you once again for this cordial welcome.
Switzerland
and Kosovo are connected through many a friendships. At the same time,
as you are aware, more than 170. 000 citizens of Kosovo reside in
Switzerland. In the meanwhile, they have integrated themselves; have
become Swiss citizens, making in this manner the relationship between
Switzerland and Kosovo even more special.
Apropos, half of our
national football team comprises of players from your community, so that
qualification for Brazil is indeed a merit of members of your
community. Shaqiri has become a great example for all the citizens of
Kosovo as well as Switzerland.
However, I am here to discuss
above all our future cooperation. Switzerland is for sure interested to
contribute to the further building of the Republic of Kosovo.
I
would like to congratulate you on all the successes and advances that
you have achieved. Those who visit Kosovo not that often can see these
changes well, as I had the opportunity to observe them today.
For
Switzerland and its economy, little bit more of political stability is
required as well as in the field of security, in order to for Kosovo to
become more attractive for investments from Switzerland.
Advances in
these two fields have been achieved as well, and this is why I would
like to once again congratulate Madam President on these advances, as
well as on the image that she enjoys on all international levels.
This
is important, because, apart from economic and political stability,
personal contacts are always important, which will influence the further
support.
The two countries have signed a number of bilateral
agreements. Some are functioning very well, while for some others
further engagements are required.
Cooperation between our two
countries, we in Switzerland consider it as a partnership, as the word
itself states it, both sides provide equal contribution to this
cooperation.
But yes, I believe that we are on a good path, even
though some further steps are required, and we have in the meanwhile
created very good institutional and personal relations, and we do not
envisage any problems.
And I wish all the best to your state
indeed and lots of luck, and to Madam President good health and best
wishes, and I promise to you that we shall remain good partners.