President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, received today at a meeting the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Didier Burkhalter, with whom she discussed the consolidation of the statehood of Kosovo, economic development and the process of the European integration of the country.
President Jahjaga expressed the appreciation of the people of Kosovo for the contribution of Switzerland in provision of shelter for many citizens of Kosovo during the 1990’s, establishment of peace and stability through the Swiss contingent of the KFOR peacekeeping force and recognition of the independence of Kosovo.
Madam President stated that this is an important electoral year for Kosovo, and that the political spectrum of Kosovo and the institutions of the country are dedicated to, as was the case during the last local elections, ensure a free and fair electoral process, which will also be a test of our democratic maturity and of the rule of law in Kosovo.
President Jahjaga emphasized that Kosovo needs to urgently address economic development and attract foreign investments, which will help economic revitalization of the country. Taking into consideration the proximity of the Swiss businesses to our market, as well as our Diaspora living in Switzerland, Madam President asked for identification of the fields of mutual interest in order to further expedite these relations and create better opportunities for investments.
Madam President also said that the Balkan region is at a decisive moment, in particular with the opening of the new chapter of peace and reconciliation through the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue process, which will further contribute to the normalisation of inter-state relations, as the main condition for the membership of the region into European Union. Madam President asked for the agreements reached in Brussels to be implemented in their fullness.
President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Didier Burkhalter, who is at the same time the Head of the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs and the current Director-in-Office of the OSCE, stated that Kosovo has achieved considerable progress and that Switzerland supports Kosovo’s vision for the future. President Burkhalter said that Swiss businesses want to undertake long term investments in the region and consider the strengthening of the law and order a precondition for such a step.
Within the auspices of its chairmanship of the OSCE, President Burkhalter emphasized that Switzerland will endeavour to integrate Kosovo in regional initiatives. He also expressed the readiness of the OSCE to facilitate the electoral process of the forthcoming elections of the Republic of Kosovo.