Prime Minister’s meeting with Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti
On Sunday, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, who is attending the Munich Security Conference, has met with Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti to discuss ways for Lithuania-Kosovo cooperation of relevance to Kosovo’s Euro-integration and its further progress, the bilateral relations between the two countries, the situation in the Western Balkans, the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, and the war of Russia against Ukraine.
Prime Minister Šimonytė has expressed Lithuania’s strong support for Kosovo’s independence and its efforts to integrate into the international community and to build a multi-ethnic, democratic and prosperous state.
‘We understand the significance of other countries sharing their experience and supporting the Euro-integration process, and we wholeheartedly endorse Kosovo’s efforts in this direction and congratulate for the progress achieved in implementing reforms. Kosovo’s unequivocal support for Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion confirms that it belongs to the Euro-Atlantic family, which builds on shared values,’ said Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė.
Lithuania supports Kosovo’s Euro-integration aspirations and has consistently supported the liberalisation of the EU visa regime for Kosovo, the Prime Minister added.
It has been pointed out at the meeting that peace and stability in Europe and a rules-based international order are a common interest of both Lithuania and Kosovo, and therefore, the responsibility and cooperation of democratic countries in ensuring peace in Europe is particularly important at this time.
According to Prime Minister Šimonytė, it is necessary to accelerate the delivery of aid to Ukraine, while at the same time increasing the pressure on the aggressor Russia through international sanctions and the country’s international isolation.
The situation in the Western Balkans has also been among the items discussed at the meeting.