The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, on the first day of the official visit to Germany, where she is staying at the invitation of President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, was received with the highest state honors. In a meeting with counterpart Steinmeier, President Osmani thanked him for the support so far and has expressed her commitment to deepen relations. Furthermore, President Osmani has requested the support of Germany for new recognitions, as well as for Kosovo’s membership into international organizations.
“Germany has supported Kosovo in all its international and European integration aspirations: the EU integration process, membership into international organizations and especially lobbying and support for visa liberalization. We need a strong voice on our request for visa liberalization, and there is no better voice than Germany. We have met all the criteria for liberalization. We expect Germany’s support in this process”, stressed President Osmani in the meeting with President Steinmeier. President Osmani described the Berlin process as a strong impetus for the European perspective of the Western Balkans. “The Republic of Kosovo aims to advance the regional cooperation – in line with the action plan established in Sofia (2020) for the creation of a common market of four fundamental freedoms (free movement of people, goods, services and capital)”, stressed President Osmani. According to her, any other idea that aims to be parallel to the EU enlargement and the Berlin Process, undermining the principle of equal participation of the Western Balkan states, will not have the support of the Republic of Kosovo.
Whereas, regarding the dialogue with Serbia, President Osmani reiterated that its final result should be mutual recognition and the preservation of the current constitutional order and the current borders of Kosovo.
In the meeting with President Steinmeier, President Osmani mentioned Kosovo’s special connection with Germany, because of the over 400 thousand Kosovars living in the German state. Further, Madame Osmani told her counterpart Steinmeier that Kosovo is interested in increasing direct investments from Germany.
President Osmani stressed that Kosovo is also interested in signing several agreements with Germany, such as the one on the transport of goods and vehicles, on the abolition of double taxation, and the cooperation on security issues. She announced that the finalization of the bilateral Memorandum for the recognition of driver’s licenses issued by Kosovo is expected soon.