President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, received today at a meeting the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Ueli Maurer.<\/p>\n
President Jahjaga and President Maurer discussed the developments in
\nthe Republic of Kosovo and its integrational processes. They said that
\nrelations between Kosovo and Switzerland are very good and added that
\ncooperation between the two countries will be expanded even further,
\nwith particular accent on the economic development and investments.<\/p>\n
After the meeting, President Jahjaga and President Maurer issued a statement in front of the media, as presented below:<\/p>\n
President Jahjaga: With the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Ueli Maurer, we had a
\nvery amicable and cordial meeting. Kosovo and Switzerland have a long
\nhistory of connectivity with each other, and I personally, on behalf of
\nthe citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, expressed my gratitude to
\nPresident Maurer, for the help that Switzerland has provided to Kosovo,
\nin its opening of a new chapter of state building and of a democratic
\nand all inclusive society.<\/p>\n
For longer than 14 years, Swiss peace
\nkeeping forces, as part of the NATO Force, have helped in the
\nmaintenance of the peace and in establishment of a safe environment for
\nthe citizens of Kosovo, and demonstrating a dedication towards building
\nof an advanced Kosovo.<\/p>\n
The help of the Swiss forces continues to
\nremain necessary for the stabilization of Kosovo on its path of
\nEuro-Atlantic integrations and building of our security mechanisms.
\n\u00a0
\nRelations
\nbetween our two countries are unbreakable, because Switzerland has for
\ndecades shown its readiness to help the citizens of Kosovo , has hosted a
\nnumber of our compatriots, who today are integrated into and respect by
\nthe Swiss society; they live and work there with dignity and are a
\npowerful bridge for the relations between our two countries.<\/p>\n
Swiss
\nConfederation is one of the first countries which recognized the
\nindependence of Kosovo and is helping the consolidation of our statehood
\nand providing support for the processes which our country is going
\nthrough.<\/p>\n
Kosovo today continues to be an important factor of
\npeace and good neighbourliness in the region and has demonstrated this
\nthrough its full engagement in the dialogue in Brussels with the
\nRepublic of Serbia and by achieving of the agreement on normalization of
\nrelations between the two states. The path of European integration goes
\nthrough full normalization of relations between two states and full
\nimplementation of all agreements achieved so far.<\/p>\n
Republic of
\nKosovo is a state of all of its equal citizens, and the constitutional
\nand legal rights and freedoms must be utilized by everyone, inclusive of
\nour citizens of Serbian ethnicity residing at the northern parts of our
\ncountry. Through the process of local elections which ended yesterday
\nin the northern part of our country, we are completing the integrative
\nprocess of all the communities, of the Serbian community as well, into
\nthe institutions and the society of Kosovo, and we are at the same time
\nclosing the chapter of conflicts and disagreements in our country. Local
\nelections demonstrate the compactness of the country and the ending of
\nthe internal integrations process in order to continue with dedication
\nthrough the European integrations chapter. This path brings us all
\ntogether- the Citizens of the country- regardless.<\/p>\n
Mr. President, thank you for your visit and for the friendship between our two countries.<\/p>\n
President Maurer: Madam President, honourable ladies and gentlemen, thank you once again for this cordial welcome.<\/p>\n
Switzerland
\nand Kosovo are connected through many a friendships. At the same time,
\nas you are aware, more than 170. 000 citizens of Kosovo reside in
\nSwitzerland. In the meanwhile, they have integrated themselves; have
\nbecome Swiss citizens, making in this manner the relationship between
\nSwitzerland and Kosovo even more special.<\/p>\n
Apropos, half of our
\nnational football team comprises of players from your community, so that
\nqualification for Brazil is indeed a merit of members of your
\ncommunity. Shaqiri has become a great example for all the citizens of
\nKosovo as well as Switzerland.<\/p>\n
However, I am here to discuss
\nabove all our future cooperation. Switzerland is for sure interested to
\ncontribute to the further building of the Republic of Kosovo.<\/p>\n
I
\nwould like to congratulate you on all the successes and advances that
\nyou have achieved. Those who visit Kosovo not that often can see these
\nchanges well, as I had the opportunity to observe them today.<\/p>\n
For
\nSwitzerland and its economy, little bit more of political stability is
\nrequired as well as in the field of security, in order to for Kosovo to
\nbecome more attractive for investments from Switzerland.
\nAdvances in
\nthese two fields have been achieved as well, and this is why I would
\nlike to once again congratulate Madam President on these advances, as
\nwell as on the image that she enjoys on all international levels.<\/p>\n
This
\nis important, because, apart from economic and political stability,
\npersonal contacts are always important, which will influence the further
\nsupport.<\/p>\n
The two countries have signed a number of bilateral
\nagreements. Some are functioning very well, while for some others
\nfurther engagements are required.<\/p>\n
Cooperation between our two
\ncountries, we in Switzerland consider it as a partnership, as the word
\nitself states it, both sides provide equal contribution to this
\ncooperation.<\/p>\n
But yes, I believe that we are on a good path, even
\nthough some further steps are required, and we have in the meanwhile
\ncreated very good institutional and personal relations, and we do not
\nenvisage any problems.<\/p>\n
And I wish all the best to your state
\nindeed and lots of luck, and to Madam President good health and best
\nwishes, and I promise to you that we shall remain good partners.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, received today at a meeting the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Ueli Maurer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":48223,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-70513","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n