Kurti and Eide Discuss EFTA Agreement and Kosovo’s NATO Membership

On the second day of the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, held a bilateral meeting with Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide.

Key Highlights of the Meeting

• EFTA Agreement:
  Kurti announced the signing of the EFTA (European Free Trade Association) agreement as a significant achievement for Kosovo.

“This is a major milestone. Over the past four years, Kosovo has seen consistent growth, averaging 6% GDP growth, never dropping below 4%. We aim to continue this trajectory, with exports of goods and services playing a vital role,” Kurti stated.

• Support for Kosovo’s Integration:
  Kurti expressed gratitude to Norway for its unwavering support for Kosovo, particularly in its bid for membership in international organizations and progress toward European integration.
• Shared Security Challenges:
  The discussions also addressed shared security challenges and the importance of coordination in tackling them. Kurti emphasized Kosovo’s aspirations for NATO membership, aligning with EU member states in condemning Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and supporting sanctions against Russia.
• Bilateral Cooperation:
  Kurti thanked Minister Eide for Norway’s strong bilateral cooperation and support, highlighting the importance of their dialogue and exchange within the framework of the World Economic Forum.

Conclusion

The meeting underlined Kosovo’s growing economic prospects, its commitment to international partnerships, and its strategic focus on aligning with NATO and the EU.