Czechia supports Kosovo for Interpol membership

Czechia and Kosovo have signed an Economic Co-operation Agreement, the first since Kosovo's declaration of Independence and the establishment of diplomatic relations. The agreement, signed by two deputy prime ministers, Behgjet Pacolli and Karel Havlicek, opens both countries' possibilities for identifying areas for co-operation in the economy and raising the level of relations between the two countries.

The two countries' teams are expected to start work on implementing the agreement reached and to determine fully the steps to follow.

The Economic Co-operation Agreement with Czechia takes on special importance for the fact that Kosovo has very specific relations with this country, despite the establishment of diplomatic relations for many years. The Czech Republic is one of the EU member states with rapid economic development, and until today, despite specifics with Kosovo, has supported it in many areas.

The agreement was signed during Kosovo Foreign Minister's visit to Prague. Behgjet Pacolli met a number of state leaders on the official visit, including Czech Foreign Minister Thomas Petricek, but also Czech Parliament Speaker Radec Wandrecek. The visit was the first of its kind since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries.

Czech Foreign Minister Thomas Peticek in a statement issued in Czech after meeting with Minister Pacolli has said trade exchange between Kosovo and Czechia has increased by up to 50 per cent year-on-year.

Czech disasters are becoming increasingly evident in Kosovo. People in Pristina know that new orange buses for public transport were produced in the Czech Republic. We have also successfully exported vehicles for Kosovo Police”, a statement by the Czech Foreign Ministry quoted Minister Petricek as saying.

Based on the statements by Minister Pacolli, Chekhia has hinted that I will support Kosovo in the INTERPOL membership process and simultaneously on its path to European integrations.

Cekia has publicly supported the Western Balkans and the EU enlargement process has also stressed that “welcomes the fulfillment of all criteria on the part of Kosovo for visa liberalisation”.

“I have offered our minister's help and the exchange of experiences for European transformation and integration”, the Czech MPJ statement quoted Minister Petricek's statement after meeting with Minister Pacolli.