President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, was received today at the Presidential Palace in Panama City by President Ricardo Martinelli, upon whose invitation she is visiting Panama.
President Jahjaga and President Martinelli discussed the issues of common interest of both countries, expansion of cooperation between Kosovo and Panama, processes which Kosovo is going through in its international consolidation. President Jahjaga thanked President Martinelli for the warm hospitality and praised the cooperation between the two countries, since the recognition of independence of Kosovo by Panama, as one of the first countries in Central America to do so.
President Jahjaga emphasized that the state of Kosovo, in six years of its independence has managed to build a democratic and all inclusive society, and is consolidating its statehood in the international stage; its independence is recognised by 106 UN Member states as well as 23 out of 28 EU member states. She also said that Kosovo aspires to become a full rights member of EU and UN, and stated the importance of the continuation of the recognition process and statehood consolidation, process in which Panama can be of particular help in the Central and South America regions.
President Jahjaga said that Kosovo and Panama must expand mutual cooperation in all fields, especially in the economic and investment fields and build strong mutual relations.
President Jahjaga extended an official invitation to President Martinelli to visit Kosovo during this year, an invitation welcomed by him.
President of the Republic of Panama, Mr. Ricardo Martinelli, welcomed President Jahjaga and expressed the readiness of his country to help Kosovo in processes which it is going through.
He said that both countries must establish strong ties and expressed the willingness of his country for cooperation on the economic, political, cultural and other fields of mutual interest.
President Martinelli said that Panama will help Kosovo on its process of international consolidation and further recognitions from the countries of Central and South America.
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Press conference held after the meeting
Both Presidents, after the joint meeting, also attended by the Foreign Minister of Panama, held a press conference. Following is the full address of Madam President delivered at the press conference.
This is my first visit, as well as a first ever visit of a President of Kosovo to Panama, and I would initially like to thank President Ricardo Martinelli for the official invitation and a very warm welcome. This marks the expansion of cooperation between the two countries and strengthening of our friendship.
Panama is one of the first countries of Central America to recognise the independence of Kosovo, thus opening the way for the development of mutual relations and I would like to express my gratitude, as this step has helped the recognition of reality about my country in other countries of Central America.
Republic of Kosovo is today a reality recognised in the world, a democracy which is developing as a state of all its citizens, regardless. From a source of crisis and images of war, Kosovo today has become a state recognised by the world, which aspires membership in all international organisations, above all the UN. Kosovo today is an inseparable part of the endeavours towards contribution for peace and stability, not only in the region of South-Eastern Europe.
International consolidation of Kosovo is important for the European Union integration path of the country as well as in other international organisations and therefore, recognition of the reality of Kosovo by all other countries of the Central American region will help this important process for my country. As an important country of Central America, Panama plays a great role and its help on Kosovo’s international consolidation is great.
Kosovo and Panama are building bridges of cooperation with each other, and with President Martinelli we discussed the opportunities for the expansion of this cooperation, with particular emphasis on cooperation in the field of economy and investments. Kosovo is a country open for investment and has large natural and human resources. Panama might become the most important partner of Kosovo.
Mr. President, thank you once again for your invitation and this wonderful hospitality.