President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, received today at a meeting the Defence Minister of the Republic of Italy, Ms. Roberta Pinotti.
President Jahjaga praised the help which Italy has provided to Kosovo during all the stages of state building, in particular with its presence in NATO peacekeeping force. She also stated that problems of the past are being overcome through the guaranteeing of the inclusiveness of all the communities in the social and institutional life of the country.
President Jahjaga added that the region of the South-Eastern Europe is at an important period, particularly after the opening of the new opportunities for peace and normalisation of relations between the neighbouring countries, enabled by the achievement of the agreements as part of the dialogue process between Kosovo and Serbia. She said that agreements must be implemented in fullness and that Serbian European path must be conditioned by full normalisation of relations with Serbia.
President Jahjaga emphasized that Kosovo has managed to conclude an important part of the creation of the Armed Forces, an all inclusive force of international standards, which will serve for defensive needs of the country and will also be ready to participate at international peacekeeping missions.
Madam President added that Kosovo’s ambition is NATO membership, and that Kosovo will build a force which will contribute to collective security, which will accomplish Kosovo’s ambition to become part of Euro-Atlantic structures,
President Jahjaga stated that Italy’s support for the Armed Forces will be a clear message to all states that Kosovo stands for building of a partnership in the field of security. She also said that Italy can also help through opening of training and education of cadets serving with the Armed Forces at the Italian Military Academies, in order to build a strong and professional structure.
Defence Minister of the Republic of Italy, Ms. Roberta Pinotti, praised the advances achieved in Kosovo. She added that Italy will continue to help Kosovo in all of its democratic processes, through its engagements in NATO peacekeeping force, but also through the expansion of bilateral cooperation between two countries, in all fields of mutual cooperation.
Minister Pinotti expressed the readiness of the Italian Government to help institutions of the Republic of Kosovo in the European Union and NATO integration process. She added that future of Kosovo, as well as of the whole region lies in Europe.