Rinkevics welcomes Kosovo’s strategic orientation towards EU

RIGA - On July 15, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics met with the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, at the Riga Castle during her working visit to Latvia, LETA learned from the President's Chancellery.

During the meeting, the Presidents discussed bilateral relations, Latvia’s participation in the NATO-led international operation in Kosovo (KFOR), the situation in the Western Balkans, as well as continued support for Ukraine.

The President of Latvia expressed satisfaction with the close relationship between Latvia and Kosovo and the active political dialogue, as evidenced by the fact that this is the second presidential-level visit in the past six months - President Rinkevics visited Kosovo in March of this year. "It is a genuine pleasure to welcome the President of Kosovo to Latvia - a historic event, as this marks the first visit of a President of Kosovo to Latvia," said President Rinkevics. He also welcomed the growth in trade between the two countries and emphasized Latvia’s interest in further expanding cooperation.

President of Latvia emphasized Latvia’s contribution to ensuring stability in Kosovo and the broader region through its participation in the NATO-led international operation in Kosovo KFOR. Rinkevics underlined that Latvia’s involvement in KFOR is our country’s most significant contribution to international missions and plays a vital role in the development and enhancement of the National Armed Forces.

The President confirmed Latvia’s support for the integration of Kosovo and the Western Balkans region into the European Union, as well as for Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe. He welcomed Kosovo’s strategic orientation towards the EU and its full alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. President Rinkevics also stated that Latvia is ready to continue supporting the reform process in Kosovo and supports the lifting of EU restrictive measures imposed on the country.

He further stressed that Latvia highly values Kosovo’s support for Ukraine and its firm stance against Russian aggression.