Prishtina, 18 June, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, received today in the Government Building, a multi-party delegation of the deputies of the Parliament of Austria, members of the Parliamentary Group of Friendship with Kosovo, accompanied by the ambassador of Austria in Kosovo, Christoph Weidinger.
Along with Prime Minister Kurti, who welcomed this meeting that serves to strengthen and synchronize the relations between the two countries, was also the vice president of the Parliamentary Group of Friendship with Austria in the Assembly of Kosovo, MP Tinka Kurti.
He thanked the Austrian MPs for the visit and informed them of the two-year government and the latest developments, with an emphasis on economic and democratic progress, and the situation in the four municipalities in the north of the country.
These two years have been years of growth and the fight against corruption. The Prime Minister underlined the growth of exports and foreign investments which have doubled during our government, and tax revenues which have increased by 2/3. He also referred to international reports such as Transparency International, the World Justice Project, Reporters without Borders and Freedom House, which highlight the results of the rule of law and the advancement of freedoms and rights.
Regarding the situation in the north, Prime Minister Kurti said that it is difficult because of Serbia, which on Wednesday committed an act of aggression against Kosovo, when the military and police units of Serbia kidnapped three policemen from Kosovo inside the territory of the Republic of Kosovo, in which case he shared with them the evidence that clearly shows the violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, made public in the joint conference with Minister Sveçla. Regarding the event of Wednesday, he added that the international factor must react and strongly condemn the behavior and action of Serbia, inviting the deputies who were present, and demand the immediate and unconditional release of the three policemen from Kosovo.
The MPs from the People’s Party (ÖVP), the Freedom Party (FPÖ), the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the Green Party expressed their gratitude for the meeting and the conversation. Among other things, a positive evaluation was given for the Government’s work, especially in the fight against corruption, which is being appreciated in Europe by everyone, as one of them said.
Prime Minister Kurti thanked Austria for its continuous support to Kosovo, especially recently with the vote for the initial phase of Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe.
Last modified: June 21, 2023