Haxhinasto visits Kosovo

TIRANA, March 20 – Albanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Edmond Haxhinasto held a two-day visit to Kosovo where he met with his host counterpart Enver Hoxhaj and a series of other meetings with senior Kosovar officials. He also met with Prime Minister Hashim Thaci.
The main issues that were discussed covered bilateral relations and Albania’s role in supporting Kosovo’s membership in international organizations.
Haxhinasto also turned down claims of a possible unification of Albania and Kosovo to create a Greater Albania. He also denounced the rumors of a possible territory exchange between Kosovo and Serbia (northern Mitrovica in Kosovo may be exchanged with southern Serbia of Presevo and Bujanovc with a mostly Albanian population.) He said that the only unification between Albania and Kosovo would be held just as members of the European Union, which they both claim to be one day, but not physically with their territories.
Haxhinasto said that Tirana and Pristina had made plans of a joint agenda for the recognition of Kosovo’s independence. The foreign ministries are preparing a plan to increase the number of recognitions of Kosovo.
He also confirmed support for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and for Pristina’s EU accession.
Haxhinasto praised Kosovo institutions for their responsibility and maturity in holding the extraordinary elections in a regular way and in a peaceful climate. Both interlocutors pledged further intensification of the bilateral cooperation at all areas of mutual benefit, especially on the unutilized potentials in enhancing and stepping up economic cooperation in infrastructure energy, tourism, trade exchanges, legislation and others. They agreed to hold periodic joint meetings aimed at addressing concrete issue of bilateral cooperation.
Haxhinasto said that strengthening of the cooperation between the two countries would also serve to a favorable climate for the integration processes in the region and wider.
Haxhinasto also met with Tha詠to emphasize the readiness of the Albanian government to work with the new Kosovo institutions that emerged from the elections, as well as on the enhancement and intensification of cooperation between the two countries. Haxhinasto and Tha詠exchanged views on speeding up the recognition process, based on a work plan with concrete goals, in cooperation with our international partners.
Both sides did also cover regional integration processes, stressing that granting to Kosovo as soon as possible the Visa Liberalization Roadmap with the EU would be encouraging.