On 22 April, President of Latvia Egils Levits arrived in Pristina on the first ever official visit by President of Latvia to Kosovo. Aim of the visit is to show support for European integration of Kosovo and Western Balkans, promote closer bilateral dialogue between Latvia and Kosovo and visit Latvian KFOR troops ensuring regional security in scope of NATO’s mission to Kosovo.
During the meeting with Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, President of the Republic of Kosovo, President of Latvia Egils Levits underlined that Latvia welcomes Kosovo’s reforms towards European Union (EU) membership and stronger rule of law. He also confirmed Latvia’s readiness to continue sharing its expertise on various reforms required to accede the EU and build stronger democracy and rule of law.
Egils Levits stressed that Latvia strongly supports the European perspective of Kosovo and Western Balkans. ‘Kosovo is Europe. We are happy to see Kosovo following EU-cantered strategy. Latvia is ready to help Kosovo make the necessary progress towards membership. We all want to see strong and united European Union with Western Balkan countries in it in the future,’ President Levits emphasised.
Latvia supports Kosovo’s perspective membership in the Council of Europe and other European frameworks, added President. He expressed support to visa free travel between EU and Kosovo, underlining that Kosovo has met all relevant criteria.
President of the Republic of Kosovo thanked Latvia for supporting Kosovo and praised the friendly bilateral relations. ‘Although we are not close neighbours, the friendship that runs between us is strong,’ Egils Levits replied.
President of Latvia mentioned cooperation with Riga Graduate School of Law where students from Kosovo study EU law and economy and confirmed Latvia’s readiness to expand military cooperation through BALTDEFCOL and work together in other sectors.
Meeting also focused on security situation in Europe and closer cooperation between Kosovo and NATO. President Osmani-Sadriu thanked Latvia for its contribution to security of Kosovo and Western Balkan region. President of Latvia underlined that deployment of Latvian troops to Kosovo in scope of NATO KFOR is Latvia’s biggest international military mission in recent years, which shows Latvia’s serious commitment to peace in Kosovo and the region. Kosovo’s participation in NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme is essential for country’s NATO membership and Latvia strongly supports its continuation, added President Levits.
Heads of Latvia and Kosovo also discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine. They condemned the war crimes occurring there. Kosova has joined all EU sanctions against Russia, explained President Osmani-Sadriu.
