Prishtina, 11 January 2024
With a state ceremony, the Prime Minister of Ireland, Leo Varadkar, was received today in Pristina. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, accompanied him during the parade in front of the Ceremonial Guard of the Kosovo Security Force. Together they held a tête-à-tête meeting, a bilateral meeting with the respective delegations and finally held a joint press conference.
Prime Minister Kurti expressed his gratitude for the visit of his Irish counterpart Varadkar at the beginning of this new year.
“Our two countries are connected by common values and a history of stability and resistance, and we are grateful for Ireland’s unwavering support for the liberation, independence and development of our country,” said Prime Minister Kurti at the beginning of the meeting.
He thanked Ireland and Prime Minister Varadkar for the role and support to Kosovo in the processes of membership in international organizations. Prime Minister Kurti here singled out Ireland’s support for membership in the Council of Europe, to which Kosovo has applied during Ireland’s presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Also for an early contribution that continues today in the field of defense through the KFOR mission in Kosovo. For this, the Prime Minister said that our country and people are always thankful and forever grateful. During the conversation, he also updated Prime Minister Varadkar on the latest developments in the country, the progress achieved, the governance so far and the current situation.
Prime Minister Varadkar expressed gratitude for the hospitality during his first visit to Kosovo. He said that Ireland has constantly supported Kosovo’s independence, being one of the first countries to recognize it, and continues to support Kosovo on its European path. Prime Minister Varadkar reiterated Ireland’s support for Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe and the European Union, underlining and appreciating Kosovo’s commitment to European Union values and alignment with the European Union’s foreign and security policy.
In the bilateral meeting, we discussed our bilateral relations and the possibilities to deepen and expand them, both in the economic and commercial spheres, as well as in the cultural, political and diplomatic ones.
You can find more photos from the events at this link
Last modified: January 12, 2024