Tirana attends Kosovo international group meeting

TIRANA, June 14 – Albanian Deputy Foreign Minister Edith Harxhi took part at a meeting chaired by the International Civil Representative and the EU Special Representative in Kosovo Pieter Feith, where Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Tha詠was also present.
The meeting made a positive evaluation of efforts made by Kosovo in stepping up the Euro – Atlantic integration process as well as in combating corruption and organized crime. Likewise, it pointed out that the upcoming advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice will pave the way to new recognitions; it will also assist in launching the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia on practical issues of mutual benefit.
Harxhi emphasized the significance of strengthening new institutions, the maintenance of Kosovo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as essential elements for peace and stability in the region. In this regard, Harxhi highlighted the contribution of the Albanian diplomacy in consolidating Kosovo state and in speeding up the recognition process.
Harxhi expressed the confidence that the advisory opinion of the said Tribunal will help the process of regional dialogue and cooperation, as a decisive condition for the integration of the whole Western Balkans in the Euro – Atlantic institutions.
All participants at this meeting commended Albania’s contribution in reinforcing Kosovo’s democratic institutions and, in particular, its constructive role in our region and wider.
About 10,000 people were killed and nearly a million displaced during the Serb crackdown in Kosovo, prompting NATO to bomb the country in 1999 and forcing then-President Slobodan Milosevic to pull out his troops.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Belgrade does not recognize it.