The President of the Republic of Kosova, Vjosa Osmani, during her official visit to Croatia, was received yesterday with the highest state honors by the President of Croatia, Zoran Milanović.

Osmani thanked Croatia for supporting Kosova in all phases of state building. She pointed out that Croatia is a friend and ally of Kosova in the region and in the Euro-Atlantic structures, while the two countries have excellent relations. Moreover, according to President Osmani, the Albanian community in Croatia and the Croatian community in Kosova are a powerful connecting bridge between the two countries.

Furthermore, the President informed her counterpart Milanovic about the terrorist attack and the act of aggression of Serbia against Kosova, the coordination with allies and the international security presence in Kosova, while also discussing the deepening of cooperation in order to overcome security challenges.

Kosovan president stated that the people and institutions of the Republic of Kosova are committed to peace, stability and security in the country and region. President Osmani also reiterated Kosova’s aim for membership in the Euro-Atlantic structures, appreciating the support from Croatia as important along the successful completion of all these integration processes.

Osmani and Milanovic, among other things, discussed and expressed willingness to increase cooperation in the field of foreign policy, defense, economy, as well as in other spheres of mutual interest.

The President met also the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Gordan Jandrokovic, whom she informed about the latest developments in Kosova, appreciating the unity shown by the Assembly of Kosova in the face of Serbia’s aggression.

In respect to the terrorist attack and the act of aggression of Serbia against Kosova, Vjosa Osmani said that Serbia should be sanctioned by the international community for these actions.

At the same time, President Osmani emphasized the necessity of withdrawing Serbian military troops from the border with Kosova and in this context, thanked NATO for sending additional troops in order to increase security along the Kosova-Serbia border, according to the release of Kosovan Presidential Office.

According to President Osmani, Kosova needs support in these difficult moments, while emphasizing that Kosovo counts on the continuous support of Croatia in the process of membership in the Council of Europe, the European Union, NATO and other international organizations, as well as in dealing with security challenges.

Osmani was also received by the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic, where she emphasized that on September 24, in Banjska, Serbia committed a terrorist attack and an act of aggression against Kosova with the aim of annexing the north of Kosova and destabilizing the entire region.

President Osmani emphasized the importance of holding Serbia responsible for its act of aggression against the Republic of Kosova.

She emphasized that in order for peace to be possible in the region, Serbia must withdraw its military troops from the border with Kosova, because they pose a danger to peace and stability.

Osmani and Plenkovic also discussed the evidence collected by the Kosova police that directly link Serbia to this attack, and the cooperation of security institutions with Kosova allies in order to prevent Serbia’s destabilizing agenda.

President Osmani also thanked Prime Minister Plenkovic for the contribution of Croatian soldiers to the KFOR mission in Kosova and bilateral cooperation in the field of defense between Kosova and Croatia as they discussed the possibilities of deepening cooperation in this field.

According to a press release from the Kosovan Presidential Office, Vjosa Osmani emphasized that Kosova’s state priority is NATO membership due to the security challenges that our region faces, while also stressing the importance of progressing with the country’s membership in the Council of Europe and the European Union and other international bodies.

/a.p./