Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Gordan Jandroković met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Self-Government of the Republic of Kosovo Slobodan Petrović

The collocutors agreed that the bilateral relations between the two states are very good, friendly, and without outstanding issues

The collocutors agreed that the bilateral relations between the two states are very good, friendly, and without outstanding issues. They expressed satisfaction with the regular contacts between the high officials of the two states, which contribute greatly to substantive development of relations in all areas of mutual interest. Further to this end, they agreed on the need to expand the contractual framework in order to strengthen the bilateral relations.

Minister Petrović congratulated Croatia on successfully completed negotiations with the European Union and the numerous reforms which contributed to this goal. He expressed his wish that Kosovo becomes a member of the Euro-Atlantic organisations in the future, and highlighted the importance of Croatian negotiating experiences for Kosovo.

Minister Jandroković stressed that over the years the Republic of Croatia has demonstrated that hard work and intensive efforts to implement the reforms and fulfil the criteria pay out in the end indeed. He also said that the conclusion of Croatian accession negotiations represents a strong signal of encouragement and an incentive for the entire region of South East Europe with a view to its long-term stabilisation and political consolidation into the Euro-Atlantic framework.

The position and preservation of Croats living in the Republic of Kosovo was also discussed in the meeting, and minister Jandroković expressed his wish that the Croatian minority enjoys full minority rights, comparable to those enjoyed by the Albanian minority in Croatia. Minister Petrović presented the legislative initiatives currently discussed in Kosovo’s institutions aimed at improving the status of the Croatian minority. The ministers agreed that the minorities of the two peoples in Croatia and Kosovo represent a firm bond and a guarantee for the improvement of relations between the two states.

Minister Petrović thanked the Republic of Croatia for its contribution to building peace and stability in Kosovo pursuant to the agreement between the Republic of Croatia and EULEX and within the scope of the KFOR mission. The collocutors agreed that the role of the EU, NATO and the international community in general is crucial in strengthening the European orientation and actualising the potential of Kosovo’s membership in Euro-Atlantic organisations.

Discussing economic cooperation, the ministers expressed interest for its strengthening. Minister Jandroković expressed his satisfaction with Kosovo’s welcoming attitude towards Croatian companies and added that the Croatian Government encourages and supports the involvement of Croatian companies in the Kosovar market.

Taking into consideration the achievements in the dialogue between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Kosovo, minister Jandroković stressed that Croatia welcomes the agreements reached on issues under discussion. He reiterated that the Republic of Croatia strongly supports the integrity and indivisibility of Kosovo.



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