Prishtina, 24 November 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, welcomed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade and Federal Cultural Institutions of the Kingdom of Belgium, Hadja Lahbib, accompanied by the first ambassador of Belgium in Kosovo, Gregoire Cuvelier and the official delegation.
Welcoming him to Kosovo, Prime Minister Kurti first expressed his heartfelt thanks for the support that Belgium has given to Kosovo and its people, and which continues today.
15 years after the recognition by Belgium and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, today was also the inauguration of the establishment of the diplomatic representation of Belgium in Kosovo at the Embassy level, in a ceremony attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora. Donika Gërvalla. The opening of the Embassy of Belgium in Kosovo is a manifestation of the excellent bilateral relations, the potential and the mutual will for deepening the relations.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Kurti and Minister Lahbib discussed the possibilities of cooperation in the field of economy, trade, protection of culture, in addition to the political one.
Since we are on the verge of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the process of the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union was also discussed, namely the journey of the Republic of Kosovo in that direction.
Kosovo submitted its application for membership on December 15 of last year, and is waiting to receive the status of a candidate country.
The meeting also discussed the security situation in the region and the relations between Kosovo and Serbia in the light of the terrorist and paramilitary attack in Banjska of Sveçan, two months ago today, and the October 26 meeting with European leaders in Brussels. Prime Minister Kurti informed Belgian Minister Lahbib about the commitment and constructive approach that Kosovo has had throughout the dialogue process mediated by the European Union and about Kosovo’s position at the last meeting in Brussels on the same day when the European Council Summit was also taking place.
He reiterated that Kosovo remains committed to the full, rapid and unconditional implementation of the Basic Agreement and its Annex, and that their signature is a guarantee of their respect and implementation towards a stable normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
Last modified: November 27, 2023