Prishtina, December 18, 2011
During the stay in Istanbul, while attending the strategic meeting of the Regional Women’s Lobby, Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri conducted several meetings with representatives of the Albanian diaspora in Istanbul.
In meeting with the leaders of the Albanian Brotherhood Association, Mr. Halil Meti, President, and Mr. Murat Lajçi, member of the Presidency, Deputy Prime Minister, Tahiri, highly appreciated the activity of this Association for the national Albanian cause, Kosovo’s freedom and independence as well as in fostering good relations between the two nations, Albanians and the Turks. Memories were recalled during this meeting which brought up the joint efforts and successes of the period of Kosovo occupation in providing support from Turkey for the right to self-determination of the people of Kosovo. Special emphasis was placed on the importance of maintaining ties with the motherland and the role of the diaspora as a connecting bridge between the two countries, Kosovo and Turkey.
In terms of the cooperation with the Associations whose interest is the Balkans, Deputy Prime Minister Tahiri met with the leadership of Balkansiad Association which is an association which brings together a wider spectrum of the Balkans diaspora. On the supper offered in honour of Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri, the President of the Association, Mr. Adnan Vardarli, expressed his cordial welcome and readiness on the establishment of the cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Kosovo on matters of joint interest. Present at this meeting was also the President of the Albanian Brotherhood Association, Deputy Prime Minister, Tahri, spoke of the progress of the state of Kosovo in the internal and the external aspect and the aspirations for membership in NATO, EU and UN as well as in other international mechanisms. She appreciated the good bilateral relations between Kosovo and Turkey and thanked the Turkish state on its lobbying efforts for the recognition of the state of Kosovo. She expressed the r
eadiness of the Government of Kosovo for mutual cooperation in moving forward the vision of a more peaceful and more stable Balkans by emphasizing that the chapter of conflicts is closed and that Balkans has entered a new EuroAtlantic era.
During her stay in Istanbul, Deputy Prime Minister Tahiri also gave an lengthy interview to the diplomatic newspaper Today’s Zaman where she unfolded her views on the state of Kosovo as a factor of peace and stability in the region; on the interconnection of Euro-Atlantic integrations with the goals of a sustainable peace in Balkans; and on the importance of furthering relations between Kosovo and Turkey in the diplomatic, economic and cultural areas.
Last modified: July 31, 2022