TIRANA – “Kosovo’s relations with France are excellent. France has played a key role in all stages of Kosovo’s state-building and the people of Kosovo are grateful for this,” said a statement released by Kosovo government, which announced the meeting between Prime Minister Abdullah Hoti and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday.
This is the first visit to the Elysee Palace by a Kosovo PM in many years.
It is further emphasized that the meeting focused on developments in Kosovo and the region with a focus on the Euro-integration perspective, as well as the issue of visa liberalization for the citizens of Kosovo.
Hoti reportedly assured President Macron that Kosovo is determined to take all necessary steps to show determination for its Euro-integration perspective, as the only opportunity for peace, stability and prosperity in this part of Europe.
“France remains committed to helping Kosovo and supports the dialogue process between Kosovo and Serbia. Prime Minister Hoti stressed that Kosovo is committed to this important process, which should include mutual recognition and normalization of relations between the two countries,” said the government statement.
New Prime Minister Hoti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will hold talks in Brussels on Sunday in a bid to ease longstanding tensions, an EU spokesman said Monday, reviving negotiations frozen since 2018.
The talks will follow a video summit for the Balkan rivals hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday.
“These are complementary events,” said Peter Stano, an EU spokesman. /argumentum.al