President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, visited today the Parliament of Latin America, situated in Panama City, where she was received by the President of the Parliament, Mr. Elias Ariel Castillo Gonzales.
President Elias Ariel Castillo Gonzales welcomed President Jahjaga’s visit to the Latin American Parliament and informed her with the manner of organisation of this Parliament, its activities and the work carried out by this regional institution. Latin American Parliament includes all countries of central and South America and is situated in Panama City.
President of the Parliament stated that he will present at the Parliament the issue of recognition of Kosovo by countries of Central and South American countries which have as yet not recognised its independence.
President Jahjaga, after her visit to the Latin American Parliament, issued a statement, which we are publishing in full:
I am honoured with the hospitality which you bestowed upon me at this institution of parliamentary democracy, which represents the whole region of Central and South America.
I express my deepest respects for the honour presented to me and at the same time to my country and my fellow citizens, through the invitation to visit the state of Panama, a country amicable to Kosovo and a strong supporter of democratic values.
The Latin American Parliament is a common voice of the countries of this region, a demonstration of strength of the cooperation of neighbouring countries and a common ambition towards building of a society with democratic values, economically developed, which guarantee the general security to everyone.
This Latin American institution is an important mechanism to you, to your countries, as is the European Union an important mechanism to us in Europe, a mechanism which offers security and progress to our countries.
Republic of Kosovo is a young state in Europe, which within six years of its independence, has managed to build bridges of friendship with many countries of the world, inclusive of Panama and a large number of Central and South American countries. And we desire to continue the building of good relations with all, even those member countries of Latin American Parliament which have not as yet recognised the independence of my country. This is of importance to my country, to the future of its citizens, but it also helps the progress of the region of South Eastern Europe.
This democratic parliamentarism, which you here represent, based upon mutual respect and the principle of equality is a good example of building of safe future.
Once again, thank you for your hospitality and I express the readiness of my country for the expansion of cooperation.