Special Envoy of Pakistan visits Kosovo Signs joint communique on establishment of diplomatic relations

Ankara, 29 January 2013:  President of Pakistan’s Special Envoy and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan visited the Republic of Kosovo from 27-29 January and held meetings with the Kosovan leadership including the President, Prime Minister, President of the Parliament, Foreign Minister, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Trade & Industry, and President of Chamber of Commerce. It was an historical occasion as Malik Amad Khan was the first senior Pakistani official to visit Kosovo after Pakistan formally recognized the Republic of Kosovo in December last year.

President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga on Monday received Malik Amad Khan who personally handed her a letter signed by President Asif Ali Zardari about the recognition of Kosovo. The Special Envoy stated that the recognition has been accorded in support of the aspirations of the people of Kosovo for independence.  President of Kosovo expressed her gratitude to Pakistan upon their recognition of independence and regarded this as an important step towards the international consolidation of the country and its further democratization.

 

Prime Minister of Kosovo Mr. Hashim Thaçi also received the Special Envoy. He expressed his great appreciation for the recognition of Kosovo’s independence by Pakistan. This will encourage Kosovo’s comprehensive cooperation with Pakistan, advancing bilateral relations between the two countries. Both the leaders discussed opportunities for collaboration between the two countries in the economy, trade and education fields. Both agreed that there is a wide scope for an enhanced institutional, cultural and social cooperation Kosovo and Pakistan.

In his meetings with other high profile Kosovan officials including President of the Assembly of Kosovo Mr. Jakup Krasniqi, Foreign Minister Mr. Enver Hoxhaj, Economy & Trade Ministers and business community, it was agreed to create necessary facilitative framework for promoting commercial relations including Free Trade Agreement and Agreement on Protection of Investment and Avoidance of Double Taxation.

Earlier, the Minister of State and the Kosovan Foreign Minister signed a joint communique for establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey Mr. Muhammad Haroon Shaukat who has been concurrently accredited as Ambassador to Kosovo also accompanied the Special Envoy.