During his official visit to Kosovo, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani had individual meetings with President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu and the Chairman of the Assembly, Glauk Konjufca. The meetings discussed topics regarding the future of the region with an emphasis on regional cooperation, whereupon Osmani reaffirmed the message that the Euro-Atlantic perspective and integration of the whole region remain an unequivocal commitment of the two countries. “Our shared ambition is the full integration of all countries from the Western Balkan region in the European Union. In this vein, as a NATO member state and a candidate country for EU membership, we are ready to put the knowledge and experience we have acquired at disposal to our friends in Kosovo. European integration means foremost institutional and economic progress, but moreover, in its essence it contains friendship, solidarity and security – values that mean permanent and lasting peace, stability and accordingly – overall progress as the most important need of our citizens”, Osmani emphasised. “Regardless of the challenges it is facing, and in accordance with its democratic and reform step forward, North Macedonia expects to hold the First Intergovernmental Conference with the EU during the Portuguese presidency with the Council of the EU, which will signify the start of the formal negotiating process”, he added. North Macedonia expects the Government of neighbouring Bulgaria to be formed as soon as possible, which would see the continuation of the completion of the Action Plan for cooperation, and the strengthening of bilateral relations and the trust between North Macedonia and Bulgaria, Osmani said. Among other things, the meetings touched upon parliamentary cooperation and the participation of members of the Army of North Macedonia in the KFOR mission in Kosovo.

Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani started his working visit to Kosovo by meeting with his counterpart, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz. At the plenary meetings of the two delegations, the exceptionally good relations between North Macedonia and Kosovo were reaffirmed, as well as the readiness of the two sides to further build a close and permanent friendship in the interest of the citizens of both countries, but also as “good example for the region that is still faced with numerous challenges”, emphasised Minister Osmani. Several topics related to bilateral cooperation were discussed, with the focus placed on economy and the opportunities for greater infrastructural connectivity. “Kosovo and North Macedonia have a particularly dynamic trade, and at the same time there is great potential for strengthening in the part of economy, which, of course, needs infrastructural support”, Osmani noted. Cooperation on the fields of education and science, culture, health etc., was also addressed. In the framework of commitment to establishing open dialogue with all countries in the region, Osmani voiced the support of North Macedonia for the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, as the best way to overcome differences and come to a permanent solution between the two countries, in the interest of the citizens and the region as a whole. “Our shared ambition for full-fledged membership of all six Western Balkan countries is the only alternative that secures long-term stability and prosperity”, Osmani concluded. Osmani’s diplomatic activities in Pristina continue with his meetings with the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, the Chairman of the Assembly, Glauk Konjufca, and Prime Minister Albin Kurti.  

Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani today had a video meeting with the newly-appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Malta to the Republic of North Macedonia, resident in La Valleta, Mrs. Mary Scicluna, on the occasion of presenting copies of letters of credence. “As the first Ambassador of the Republic of Malta to our country since establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries, I believe that with your diplomatic experience and personal engagement you will provide significant contribution to the deepening of relations”, Osmani emphasised. The interlocutors addressed the upcoming visit of Minister Osmani to Malta and the meeting with his colleague, Minister Bartolo, which presents a further confirmation of the excellent development of bilateral relations between the two countries and the opportunity to intensify cooperation. The meeting also discussed strengthening of economic and trade exchange, tourism as an activity common for the two countries, and the large community of North Macedonia in Malta as a bridge for deepening of cooperation. Opinions were exchanged on the perspectives of enlargement of the European Union, regional cooperation as an important tool in the progress of the integration processes, and the next steps and engagements on our part aimed at the holding of the First Intergovernmental Conference and the formal opening of accession negotiations for Union membership.