Kurt willing to go to Rome with other Balkan leaders

During a meeting with Italy's deputy prime minister, Antony Tayan and Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, Kurti has responded positively to this invitation.

“Prime Minister Kurti welcomed Italy's increased interest and commitment to our region, expressing his readiness to respond positively to an invitation under the official Rome plans to invite Western Balkan leaders” to a joint organisation, the announced Office of the Prime Minister for Media said.

In his welcome, Prime Minister Kurti has said that Kosovo and Italy have excellent relations in the field of economy, trade, culture, security and defence. Has he expressed willingness to work together with the Italian side to empower them in the service of common interests?

“He expressed his thanks and that of the Republic of Kosovo for Italy's ongoing early contribution in various forms throughout all phases of the new history of the Republic of Kosovo. I announced with recent developments in the country, the country's economic performance, with emphasis on economic growth marked in 2021 and 2022, and the positive trend of foreign exports and investments, and on reforms in the field of justice and rule of law. Also, Prime Minister Kurti underlined Kosovo's plans for application to the European Union before the end of this year and goals to be part of NATO's Partnership for Peace programme, as well as renewed Kosovo's application to the Council of Europe under the valid and diplomatic orientation of the Republic of Kosovo”, the statement said.

Meanwhile, according to ZKM, Deputy Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Antonio Tayan, thanking him for the welcome, has said the visit of the Italian Government delegation today is an expression of Italy's most powerful engagement in the Western Balkans.

“He expressed Italy's commitment to contributing to development, security and stability in the region, as Defence Minister Cronetto gave support and offered Italy's help for Kosovo on its path to the European Union and NATO”, it is now said.

During the meeting, reports between Kosovo and Serbia have also been discussed, recent developments in the dialogue process, and yesterday's meeting in Brussels.

“About this latter, Prime Minister Kurti announced Deputy Prime Minister Tajan's meeting agenda at the invitation of the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Josep Borrell, the positions held and proposals made on the six meetings of November 21st, and today's decision to postpone for 48 hours, according to the request of the United States, implementing the second phase of the decision for illegal targats”, says the government's announcement.