Croatia's ambassador to Pristina: We continue with strong support for Kosovo

On the State Day of the Republic of Croatia, the Croatian Embassy in Pristina organised a solemn reception attended by leaders of Kosovo institutions, accredited diplomats, representatives of the Croatian community in Kosovo, ministers in office, former political figures, ambassadors of other states and other guests. The ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Kosovo, Daniela Barisic, said Croatia will continue with strong support for Kosovo's European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

In the welcoming address, Barisic said Croatia would continue to participate in the KFOR Mission to maintain peace and security as preconditions for the development and welfare of all society and the entire region. “Today we also celebrate friendly relations between our two countries, the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Kosovo, which were shown through bilateral co-operation and increased bilateral trade. Our relations were also confirmed with the exchange of official visits, including the official visit to Croatia of Prime Minister Kurti late last year, during which six agreements have been signed. Croatia will continue with strong support for Kosovo's European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations and will continue to participate in the KFOR Mission to maintain peace and security as preconditions for the development and welfare of all society and the entire region”, Barisic said.

Prior to the guests, Barisic said this organisation, among other things, was designed to confirm the friendly relations between Croatia and Kosovo. In addition, she mentioned that the most widely used words have long been uncertainty and geopolitical unpredictable until she referred to the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
It's my great pleasure and honor to welcome you tonight on the State Day of the Republic of Croatia. We are gathered here to confirm the friendly relations between Croatia and Kosovo. But I'm sure that in our conversations tonight we won't be able to avoid certain issues affecting and affecting all of us at the national, regional and international level. In fact, after Ukraine's full Russian occupation more than three years ago, we are experiencing the collapse of international order as we knew it. Hence, perhaps the most widely used words for some time are geopolitical uncertainty and unpredictable. But despite all of it, we have our safe port and strong anchor”, Barisic said. Among other things, Barisic also talked about the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, which he said stability depends on dialogue, not confrontation.

She said Croatia has long supported Kosovo's request to remove EU punitive measures against our state. “S first, the Western Balkans have strategic importance for the European Union, and enlargement in this region is the EU's most important geopolitical project. Second, a key priority remains the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. You're equal partners on the table. Stability depends on dialogue, not confrontation. And third and perhaps most expected in Kosovo, the EU has begun gradually removing punitive measures imposed in June 2023. Let me add: Croatia has been supporting this for a long time. This decision-making paves the way for more opportunities for Kosovo's development and closer ties with Europe”, Barisic pointer.

In office Prime Minister Albin Kurti said Kosovo and Croatia share deep historical, friendly ties and common values. He said the two states are allies in peace, democracy and the common European journey./Periscopi/