President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, received today at a meeting the Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, Mr. Werner Faymann, with whom she discussed the actual developments in the country, expansion of the cooperation between the two countries and the integrational processes of Kosovo and of the Balkan region.
President Jahjaga praised the help which the Republic of Austria has provided to Kosovo during all its state building stages as well as through the engagement of Austrian peacekeeping force within KFOR, a contribution not only to the security of Kosovo but also to the stability of the whole Balkan region.
President Jahjaga stated that relations between Kosovo and Austria are very good and they must be further extended to other fields, particularly in the field of economy. She said that Austria has been a strong supporter of Kosovo’s integrative processes and considered it as very important the continuation of support for Kosovo on its path of European integration. President Jahjaga also added that institutions of Kosovo are dedicated to deepen reforms in the fields related to its European agenda aiming the expedition of the integrative process. She said that Kosovo has concluded the negotiations on Stabilisation-Association Agreement with the European Commission and is expecting its successful officialisation very soon.
Madam President asked for Austria’s support on visa liberalisation process for the citizens of Kosovo, emphasizing that Kosovo continues to remain the only country of the Balkan region which has not benefited from visa liberalisation. Kosovo is undertaking all the necessary endeavours to fulfil the required criteria in order to conclude the visa liberalisation process, which will enable the free movement of its citizens in the EU member countries.
President Jahjaga pointed out that Kosovo has undertaken important steps ahead in the process of its democratic consolidations, inclusive of free, democratic and all inclusive elections, with satisfactory participation of citizens in them. She said that Kosovo has demonstrated democratic maturity and culture solving all outstanding issues through institutional structures, thus building credible and transparent processes which increase the trust of the citizens in institutions of the country and their democratic functionalisation.
President Jahjaga reconfirmed the determination of the Republic of Kosovo to be a factor of peace and stability in the region by building good relations with all neighbouring countries, including Republic of Serbia. She said that the dialogue between the two counties has contributed with important agreements and by now it is important to implement these agreements in their fullness and that the progress towards EU is conditioned on this.
President Jahjaga also informed Chancellor Faymann with the endeavours of Kosovo towards strengthening of the rule of law and order, particularly in the war against corruption and organised crime and the cooperation with EULEX on this matter.
Austrian Chancellor Faymann welcomed the successes of the Republic of Kosovo and its citizens towards the consolidation of the state and establishment of a viable democracy which will open the way to economic investments and strengthen the European perspective of Kosovo.