The issue of recognizing Kosovo, particularly the lifting of visas for citizens of Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, was at the center of today’s press conference held by members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, who is on an official visit to Sarajevo.
Although the delegations of both countries primarily discussed bilateral relations and European integration, during the press conference, the leadership of BiH, including Denis Beqiroviq, Zheljka Cvijanoviq, and Zheljko Komshiq, along with President Begaj, addressed the issue of Kosovo, which lacks consensus in Bosnia.
Denis Beqiroviq, the chair of the BiH Presidency, stated that “a very important message for regional cooperation” came from the government and Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, whom he called a “great friend.”
“He made an unilateral decision to lift the visa regime for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is truly an unprecedented move in our region and a very important message,” Beqiroviq reported, according to Anadolu.
Regarding the implementation of the Berlin Agreement, BiH Presidency member Zheljka Cvijanoviq emphasized the importance of the region functioning under the four freedoms outlined in EU principles: the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital.
Cvijanoviq also responded to Beqiroviq’s remarks, where he referred to Prime Minister Albin Kurti as “his great friend.”
“It is not appropriate for us to include Kosovo in discussions with the president of another country, regardless of whether it is the Republic of Albania. This should not be the topic of our conversation, except in the context of regional cooperation,” Cvijanoviq stated.
President Begaj reiterated that Kosovo’s independence is an “irreversible reality.”
“Kosovo has proven to be a reliable partner committed to strengthening good neighborly relations. Meanwhile, it has actively contributed to regional cooperation and the Euro-Atlantic integration processes in the Western Balkans. Recognizing Kosovo will undoubtedly impact peace, security, reconciliation, and regional stability,” said President Begaj.
