President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, today held a series of bilateral meetings as part of her State Visit in the Republic of Kosovo.
The President of Malta had the first bilateral meeting with Atifete Jahjaga, President of the Republic of Kosovo. President Coleiro Preca spoke about how Malta has always believed in Kosovo since its Independence eight years ago, and that this visit is serving as a commitment to continue building and strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries as well as reitarating Malta’s commitment to support Kosovo in its integration with its prospective European Union membership.
Addressing a joint press conference with Jahjaga, the President of Malta also spoke of Malta’s determination in continuing to support Kosovo in establishing further its rightful place in the international fora.
“I am confident that, as a result of this State Visit, ties between Malta and Kosovo will continue to strengthen and Malta will continue to extend its expertise and experience to Kosovo in its way ahead towards European integration. In fact, Malta has welcomed with great satisfaction, the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement between the EU and Kosovo. Malta notes that this important agreement is definitely a positive step towards integration with the EU.”
The President of Malta commended the programme of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo to strengthen fiscal planning and to effectively implement the necessary fiscal regulations. She also acknowledged the fact that, visa liberalization is a prominent and tangible outcome for countries wishing to deepen their relations with the EU.
“I believe that visa liberalization will definitely stimulate all levels of development and will bring Kosovo closer to its European Perspective. Within this context, Malta supports the launch of a visa liberalization process.”
Other matters which were discussed during the bilateral meeting with Atifete Jahjaga were the possibility of employees from Kosovo’s Foreign Ministry to further their studies in diplomacy at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies (MEDAC). The conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding between MEDAC and the Diplomatic Academy of the Republic of Kosovo signed in November 2015 is “a very significant step in the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in this field”.
Coleiro Preca also mentioned that she looks forward for the development of bilateral trade between Malta and Kosovo, and invited Jahjaga to visit Malta together with a business delegation to assess what Malta has to offer for the potential development of economic and trade relations.
Lastly, The President of Malta commended the efforts of the very first Ambassador of Kosovo to Malta, who has contributed in no small way towards consolidating the basis for future collaboration between our two friendly countries, and augured all the people of Kosovo, peace and prosperity, on the eve of their 8th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, tomorrow.