Kurti in Munich first meets the new prime minister, counting his successes

Among the first bilateral meetings in the Magnaries of the April Security Conference in Germany, Republika Srpska Prime Minister Albin Kurti, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister, former Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Minister Donika Grovalla, developed with Northern Macedonia Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski.

Prime Minister Kurti congratulated counterpart Kovachevski on his new task and wanted successful government leadership, offering him close co-operation. At this first bilateal meeting, Prime Minister Kurti announced Prime Minister Kovachevski's achievements in his first year of governance. In 2021, Kosovo has marked semi-final economic growth, exports and foreign investments have increased by 2/3s, while budget revenues and annual circulation of businesses for 1/3s.

As a result of the ongoing war on crime and corruption, Kosovo has marked record annual improvement for 17 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index. At the same time, from the last country in the region to the percentage of the population vaccinated against COVID-19, Kosovo today ranks first in the Western Balkans.

In September last year, the first joint meeting has been held between the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and that of the Republic of Northern Macedonia. This meeting was confirmation of friendly relations and good co-operation between the two countries. During today's meeting, the status and progress of agreements and memorandums signed during the joint meeting was discussed. Next month takes place six months from the joint meeting, and in this case the first assessments of progress and implementation of the agreement by the two respective offices are expected, Prime Minister Kurti stressed.

In addition to bilateral co-operation, regional co-operation was discussed at the meeting. Prime Minister Kurti said Kosovo supports regional co-operation and integration on the basis of equal treatment. In this direction, Kosovo supports the Berlin Process and considers that the Common Regional Market within it is the proper and only platform that enables full implementation of four freedoms among all Western Balkan countries.

As far as regional security is concerned, Prime Minister Kurti said Kosovo is committed to becoming a NATO member. Kosovo's involvement under the umbrella of the Atlantic Alliance, which we consider the mission to be an ally and close partner, contributes to security, peace and stability in the Western Balkans, Prime Minister Kurti said.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Kovachevski thanked Prime Minister Kurti for his congratulations. He said this is the first meeting with the first neighbour in the context of the Munich Conference, adding that the government of Northern Macedonia remains equally committed to continuing close co-operation with the Republic of Kosovo, both at the bilatreal plain and at the level of common goals for the region and full integration into the European Union.