Minister Xhaçka official visit to Kosovo

: Published: Friday, 24 November 2017 16:09

Minister of Defense, Olta Xhaçka held her first official visit to Kosovo, where she was received at a special meeting by President Hashim Thaci, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and Kosovo Security Force (KSF) Minister Rustem Berisha.

Minister Xhacka has assured the senior Kosovar authorities that the Albanian government is the strongest advocate for Kosovo's membership in Euro-Atlantic structures.

"Brussels is clearer than ever with regard to the conditions Serbia needs to complete to integrate into the EU and the main condition is Kosovo's integration," said, Minister Xhaçka, at a meeting with Prime Minister Haradinaj.

Whereas in the meeting with the Minister of KSF, the Minister of Defense, said that the relationship between Albania and Kosovo have long been at the highest level.

Giving the good news that the Albanian military attaché will now be resident in Pristina, Minister Xhaçka said that the transformation of the KSF is a process that must be done based on the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo.

"Kosovo and Albania share the same "dream”, that of their Euro-Atlantic integration, as well as all of the Western Balkans. Europe is not complete without the Western Balkans just as the Western Balkans cannot be the "backyard" of Europe forever.

Regarding KSF transformation, I assured Mr. Berisha that Albania sees it as a process based on the constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and in cooperation and coordination with our international partners.

There should be no lack of trust in the allied and partner countries, which have witnessed the most serious engagement with their open door policy over the years. Kosovo is ready to move forward on the irreversible path of Euro-Atlantic integration "- said Defense Minister during a press statement with his Kosovo counterpart.

On his part, Minister Berisha appreciated the contribution of the Albanian government especially in the field of defense and education. The two counterparts visited the QSU, where currently five Albanian cadets are pursuing their studies.

Meanwhile in the Academy of the Armed Forces, in Tirana, from 2010 until today there have been trained 110 KSF NCOs and officers.