Osmani: Kosovo and Montenegro have a key role in stopping Russia’s wicked intentions

“The relations between Kosovo and Montenegro are excellent and exemplary, the relations of openness and friendship, the confidential interstate cooperation. I understand this visit as an opportunity to strengthen our trust and send a message that such relations are possible in the Western Balkans and that we must accept them as a common heritage,” said Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, who is on a two-day visit to Kosovo, at the invitation of President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu. He also said that Montenegro supports Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe. President Osmani stressed that the people of Kosovo appreciate the contribution of Montenegro in recognizing Kosovo’s independence and that the two countries have, as she said, a key role in stopping Russia’s wicked intentions.

“President Djukanovic, In addition to proving himself as an important ally of the Republic of Kosovo, is also a devoted friend of our people, for which I want to thank him again today. The people of Kosovo highly appreciate your important contribution to the recognition of our independence and the commitment to work together to combat the malicious and harmful influences in our region by other factors,” Osmani said at a joint press conference.

“This visit of President Djukanovic, In addition to being historic in terms of our bilateral relations, is happening at an important moment for our continent and consequently for the Western Balkans. As two democratic and freedom-loving states, it is important to stand side by side in the face of Russian aggression and the destabilizing tendencies of Russian satellites here in our region,” Osmani said.

She also stressed that Montenegro is a clear example of how NATO membership has only served to strengthen the security of the region, and that Kosovo’s membership should be seen as a contribution to greater stability and security throughout the Western Balkans.

“I am convinced that this visit will resonate with the strengthening of our bilateral cooperation towards the fulfillment of our common goals. I hope that this visit will serve as a testament to our unwavering commitment to peace, security and prosperity in the Western Balkans. Our two countries have a key role and are at the core of stopping Russia’s evil intentions, which aim to destroy our common achievements on our Euro-Atlantic path,” said Vjosa Osmani.

The President of Montenegro said that Montenegro welcomes the fact that Kosovo is focused on the same strategic goals as Montenegro, to monitor developments in resolving key issues facing Kosovo in this period and to support the normalization of Kosovo’s relations with Serbia.

“We support the political dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade. It is important to be persistent in that political process, because this issue is about the stability of the region,” Djukanovic said.

He stressed that Montenegro is stable on the Euro-Atlantic and European path and that the best possible solution for the countries of this region is the European system of values, which belongs to the EU and NATO.

“We believe that the membership of the Western Balkans in the EU would be an excellent geopolitical investment by the EU in its peace, stability and security. We believe that, unfortunately, a serious tragedy that is still going on in Ukraine was the reason why all of us in Europe understand that in Ukraine not only independence and freedom in choosing the future of Ukraine are being attacked, but also European security. We will have to learn from that experience when it comes to Europe as a whole, but above all when it comes to the future of the Western Balkans,” Djukanovic said.

He reminded that Montenegro recognized the independence of Kosovo in October 2008. And that after that is clear the position of Montenegro on the need and intention of Kosovo to become part of European organizations and integrations.

Commenting on Kosovo’s interest in membership in several international organizations, such as the Council of Europe, Djukanovic said he understands that any new membership in the Council of Europe is a help not only for Kosovo, but also for the region and Europe.

Djukanovic: Demarcation is problematic only for those who want problems

At a press conference in Pristina, Montenegrin President Milo Djukukanovic also spoke about the demarcation between Montenegro and Kosovo.

“We also discussed the border issue, we have an agreement signed in 2015 in Vienna, we also have a joint statement of the two presidents signed in Podgorica in 2018, which specifies the possibility of a joint commission to mark the border, as the border agreement has been verified in both parliaments. This issue can be considered problematic only for those who want problems. However, as two friendly countries, I am fully confident that we will adhere to the documents we have signed and that through the work of the joint demarcation commission we will create the conditions for those necessary corrections that we agree on, which contribute to the logical boundaries, as they should be and in no way be a source of misunderstandings and breakdown of friendly relations between the two countries,” said Djukanovic. / The Geopost