The Principal Deputy of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hashim Thaci, hosted today a meeting with the Italian Foreign Minister, Paolo Gentiloni. Thaci informed Gentiloni with the achievements of Kosovo including contractual relations with the European Union, through the Stabilization Association Agreement as well as about the positive report on the process of visa liberalization. Thaci said that Kosovo expects recommendation for visa liberalization by the beginning of the next year.

He added that Kosovo is source of stability in the region and stressed determination of Kosovo for dialogue with neighbors, implementation of reached agreements which are in accordance with Kosovo’s constitution, laws and interests.

 Responding to the questions about the recent developments at the Assembly of Kosovo, Thaci said that Kosovo’s reality is not the one with teargas. “The agreements are only being used as pretext to induce new elections for which realistically there is no need,” Thaci said.

Speaking about the bilateral relations, Thaci said that Kosovo and Italy enjoy excellent bilateral relations.

“We should expand our cooperation also in the economic field, being that Italy is a significant factor in the region,” Thaci said.

 Chief of the Italian diplomacy, Pablo Gentiloni, stressed that Italy supports the dynamics of the relations between the EU and Kosovo and that he supports Kosovo’s aspiration for membership at international organizations.

Gentiloni agreed on inter-state cooperation in the economic field but stressed also the need to expand cooperation in security.