News

On 9 November, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius met with Kosovo’s Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, who is visiting Lithuania for the first time. In the meeting, the officials discussed Kosovo’s EU integration aspirations, ongoing reforms and development of bilateral relations between Lithuania and Kosovo.

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister stressed that Lithuania had consistently supported Kosovo’s path towards joining the EU. Linkevičius welcomed the ratification by the Assembly of Kosovo of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, which was signed on 27 October. The agreement will deepen the political, economic and trade ties between the EU and Kosovo. It will also help Kosovo make much needed reforms.

Linkevičius also welcomed the progress made on the high level dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, and expressed his belief that this would contribute to further normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo, and strengthening of stability in the region.

Lithuania is ready to share with Kosovo its successful experience of the European integration and implementation of reforms in various fields, including the EU Twinning Projects. The head of the Lithuanian diplomacy expressed support for Kosovo’s aim of achieving a visa-free regime with the European Union after all conditions were met.

Mustafa thanked Lithuania for supporting Kosovo’s efforts to consolidate its statehood, international status and the objective of European integration. He also assured that Lithuania helped to ensure Kosovo’s security by sending representatives to the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) and the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR).

The officials also discussed Kosovo’s domestic policy, regional security and cooperation, migration.