The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, is on an official visit to Croatia, where he was welcomed by his Croatian counterpart, Andrej Plenković.
Initially, in a joint meeting and then with respective delegations, Prime Minister Kurti and Prime Minister Plenković discussed the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries and peoples. They talked about the agreements signed today and the potential for new agreements that could expand cooperation in the fields of justice, culture, and education, as reported by the Government of Kosovo in a press release.
As announced, a pledge was signed in Croatia for the establishment of the “Milan Šufflay” Albanological Studies Center at the University of Zadar. The “Milan Šufflay” Albanological Studies Center will serve as a research platform for promoting the Albanian language, history, archaeology, and culture, with a special focus on the legacy of the distinguished historian and albanologist Milan Šufflay.
A central topic of discussion was also economic cooperation and trade exchanges, during which the two leaders explored opportunities and potential areas for foreign investment. Prime Minister Kurti informed his Croatian counterpart about Kosovo’s offer for foreign investors, alongside its commitment to sustainable economic development, democratic progress, institutional stability, and improvements in the rule of law that the country has made in recent years.
At the end of the meeting, the following agreements were signed:
- Social Security and the Implementing Protocol;
- Recognition and exchange of driver’s licenses;
- Cooperation in the protection against natural, technical, and technological disasters;
- Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation between our forensic agencies;
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Police Academy of Croatia and the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety for strengthening cooperation in education and scientific research.
“Kosovo and Croatia share a sincere friendship, strong partnership, and healthy alliance based on common democratic values, commitment to peace and security in the region, and a clear Euro-Atlantic orientation. Croatia, with its brave example, and its people who fought and shed blood for liberation, is an inspiration for all nations aspiring for freedom, independence, democracy, integration, and economic development for their citizens. On this occasion, we are also proud of the Albanians who participated in Croatia’s liberation war, a total of 2,832, of whom 87 were killed and five are still missing. Two generals from Kosovo participated in the liberation war, Rrahim Ademi and Agim Çeku, while Tomë Berisha, in September 1991, in Gospić, formed the Brigade of Albanian Fighters, among whom were Nevxhet Haziri and Fehmi Lladrovci. We have been together long before, and in much more difficult circumstances than the ones we now have and enjoy in this century.
For us, Croatia is a key regional partner and a reference for development. We are grateful for the continuous support of the Croatian people, both before, during, and after the war, as well as during the stages of Kosovo’s independence and its international consolidation,” said Kurti.
