Prishtina, November 1, 2016 – The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, received today the representatives of Austria-Kosovo Friendship Association, with whom he discussed about the deepening of cooperation between the two countries and people.
President Thaçi thanked the representatives of this association for the initiative of its establishment and the irreplaceable contribution it has given in creating the strong bonds between the countries.
He highly praised Austria’s role in the process of the independence and state-building of Kosovo.
“Worldwide, Austria is one of the most supportive states to us. Whereas, domestically a very big contributor with investments in education, agriculture and energy. The Austria-Kosovo Friendship Association is new, but it has given even more breath to our centuries old friendship”, said President Thaçi.
President Thaçi also spoke about the process of Euro-Atlantic integration and the support that the Austrian state has given to Kosovo.
He said that Kosovo is successfully continuing reforms in economy, in the building of democratic institutions and the rule of law.
President Thaçi responded also to the interest of the members of the association on the security situation in Kosovo, on the education and health system.
The President said that Kosovo has been very active against religious extremism, against radicalism and terrorism.
“We have issued the law that prevents people from going to wars abroad. Also, we have been very determined that people who have encouraged violence or who promote violence, hatred and who have gone to Syria and Iraq, to face justice”, said President Thaçi.
As another challenge not only for Kosovo, but for the whole region, President Thaçi has said that the trend of the expansion of the Russian influence in the region remains.
Also, President Thaçi also spoke about the dialogue for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
“An agreement of good neighborly cooperation can also be reached, but also of reconciliation between states. I believe that this agreement can be achieved and will be achieved”, said President Thaçi.
The President of the Austria-Kosovo Friendship Association, Lukas Mandl, has thanked President Thaçi for his personal commitment for the establishment of this association.