Pristina, May 16, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the founding ceremony of the new Friendship Association, Kosovo – Austria.
Expressing the satisfaction that is present in this special event, Prime Minister Kurti emphasized that this is the fourth event in the last 10 days of this month where the cooperation between Kosovo and Austria is in the center of attention.
“Austria is a steadfast partner of Kosovo, both before and after the country’s independence, offering support and assistance in a number of fields; from economic development to cooperation in the field of security. This year, together with the 15th anniversary of the declaration of independence, we also marked the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries”, said Prime Minister Kurti and added that Austria was among the first countries to welcome and support our application to the European Union, and among the countries that voted to support Kosovo’s application for membership in the Council of Europe. And for that we are grateful anyway.
Further, the prime minister emphasized the fact that Austria has provided support to Kosovo over the years through experts, helping to strengthen our institutions and promote good governance.
Trade exchanges between our two countries have shown a positive trend. In the last two years alone (2020-2022), exports to Austria have increased by 120%, while foreign direct investments last year, i.e. in 2022, were twice as much as in the previous year 2021.
“However, our partnership with Austria is more than just a convenience or a commodity. It is based on a shared commitment to the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We share a vision for a peaceful, prosperous and integrated Europe, where all nations and peoples develop and are equal”, said Prime Minister Kurti.
At the end of his speech, Prime Minister Kurti said that from today the establishment of the new Kosovar-Austrian friendship association will be another starting point for expanding contacts and multiplying bridges of cooperation between the peoples, states and businesses of our two countries.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
This should be the fourth event in the last 10 days of this month, which is still half way through, the focus is on the cooperation between Kosovo and Austria. For two countries that are friends, partners and allies, maybe it is not much.
Your Excellency the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu,
Former president of the Republic of Kosovo, the honorable Professor Fatmir Sejdiu,
The honorable Mr. Lukas Mandl, Member of the European Parliament from Austria,
Your Excellency Ambassador Christoph Weidinger, Ambassador of Austria to Kosovo,
The honorable Mr. Faton Peci, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development,
Honorable Armend Mehaj, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Kosovo,
The honorable Mr. Arsim Vranovci, President of the Kosovo-Austria Friendship Association,
Dear Ms. Bettina Rausch (Rauh), Member of the Austrian Parliament and President of the Political Academy of Vienna,
The honorable Mr. Alban Hyseni, Mayor of the Municipality of Gjilan,
The honorable Mr. Naim Ternava, Mufti of Kosovo,
Dear participants, ladies and gentlemen,
I have the great pleasure of being together on this special occasion, in the establishment of the new Kosovar-Austrian friendship association. Austria is a steadfast partner of Kosovo, both before and after the independence of our country, offering support and assistance in a number of fields; from economic development to cooperation in the field of security. This year, together with the 15th anniversary of the declaration of independence, we also marked the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries.
Austrian companies have invested in Kosovo, creating jobs and helping to build the private sector. Over the years, Austrian experts have provided support by helping to strengthen our institutions and promote good governance. Of course, Austria has been a strong advocate for Kosovo on the international stage, working to promote our interests and support our efforts to integrate into the European Union. It was among the first countries that welcomed and supported our application to the European Union, and among the countries that voted to prove its support for Kosovo’s application for membership in the Council of Europe. And for that we are grateful anyway.
Trade exchanges between our two countries have shown a positive trend. In the last two years alone (2020-2022), exports to Austria have increased by 120%, while foreign direct investments last year, i.e. in 2022, were twice as much as in the previous year 2021.
However, our partnership with Austria is more than just a convenience or a commodity. It is based on a shared commitment to the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We share a vision of a peaceful, prosperous and integrated Europe, where all nations and peoples develop and are equal.
During the last two years, Kosovo has made significant progress towards this vision. There is no credible international report that has not documented our democratic and economic progress. We have made important steps in economic development, attracting foreign investments and creating jobs. The average economic growth in the first two years of our government was about 7%. During this period, tax revenues have increased by 66%, i.e. 2/3 in just two years, and foreign direct investments have doubled. On average, during each year of our government, we have added more to our economy than in the previous three years combined. Exports for the first time this year are expected to reach the value of 1 billion euros.
In Austria we have the Network of Albanian Diaspora Businesses. The Commercial Office of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce operates in Kosovo. In April last year, we held the Kosovo-Austria Economic Forum here in Pristina under the organization of the Ministry of Industry, Enterprise and Trade. Kosovo is a member of the Vienna Economic Forum. Last week, for the first time, we organized the Vienna Economic Talks conference, in cooperation with the Vienna Economic Forum.
From today, the establishment of the new Kosovar-Austrian friendship association will be another starting point for expanding contacts and multiplying bridges of cooperation between the peoples, states and businesses of our two countries.
All these evidences of our current relations are our motivation for the potential of our relations. Today we are taking another step towards that potential.
Thank you.
Last modified: May 16, 2023