The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, is on an official visit to Anakara where she was received with the highest state honors by the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In the joint press conference, President Osmani said that their relations with Turkey so far have been very good and that Turkey has supported Kosovo at a time when many countries did not help it and has succeeded where the voice of Kosovo was not heard.

“When we look at the events in Ukraine, of course we think it is time for Kosovo to join NATO. Turkey’s role in NATO is very important. Turkey has helped us in this direction, it has shown its support. “We expect the support of countries like Turkey in NATO membership,” Osmani said.

She stressed that the citizens of Kosovo think that Turkey can do great things for Kosovo’s membership in NATO and that Albanians living in Turkey and Turks living in Kosovo are very important for relations between the two countries. Stressing that Russia’s goal is not only towards Ukraine and that it has conveyed this to President Erdoğan, Osmani said that the creation of instability in the Western Balkans is also involved in this issue and that Russia has always supported Serbia in this regard.

On the other hand, President Erdoğan regarding Kosovo’s membership in NATO said, “We will take steps to recognize Kosovo and that Turkey recognizes Kosovo as a member of NATO.” “We have always defended and continue to defend today that NATO enlargement will be beneficial. As long as we are taking these steps, we want this for world peace,” Erdogan said. 

/Klara Ruci/