Eurasia Press & News
Albin Kurti’s government has shown a convincing propensity to explore new frontiers in global engagement, economic cooperation and leveraging recent geopolitical calibrations. Over the last three years, Kurti’s diplomatic endeavors, unflappable leadership and professional rigor in foreign policy have proved to be beneficial for the citizens of Kosovo.
The ongoing oscillations and diplomatic opacity of the Berlin Process, over the last ten years, have caused a rising interest for Prishtina to establish extensive bilateral dialogue and cooperation with the governments of Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Panama.
Cali, Colombia will host the Sixteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16) on October 21 to November 1, 2024, where the Government of Kosovo is invited to participate.
On September 9th, 2024, Liza Gashi, Kosovo’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs conducted an official visit to Bogota. The delegation held a bilateral meeting with Dr. Jorge Rojas Rodríguez, Colombia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and one of the nation’s most distinguished writers and political activists.
Both parties addressed economic cooperation, trade partnership, the potential to establish a Colombia – Kosova Chamber of Commerce and further cooperation in defense and security matters.
Prime Minister Kurti has demonstrated a steadfast leadership towards Prishtina’s close cooperation with the Government of President Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego. Colombia has been a staunch supporter for Kosova to be a member of the General Assembly of INTERPOL and to join the UN and FAO. Both governments have established a cooperation agreement between the Diplomatic Academies of both Ministries of Foreign Affairs as well as political consultations are under way. In the coming weeks, the Republic of Kosovo is expected to inaugurate its Embassy in Bogota, it will be the second in Latin America.
On October 21st, 2023, Deputy Minister Gashi, joined by Ambassador Heroina Telaku, conducted an official visit to Panama. She was received by Carla Ramírez Paz, Panama’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
On this occasion, Mrs. Gashi thanked her Panamanian counterpart, Carla Ramírez Paz, for the meeting, stressing that the support of Kosovo’s allies, such as Panama, is fundamental for strengthening the nation’s international standing.
Furthermore, Deputy Minister Ramirez expressed her satisfaction with the visit from Kosovo government, reassuring her of the excellent relations that both countries have built over the years.
Mrs. Gashi informed the Panamanian side about the political situation in Kosovo, as well as the integration process of the Republic of Kosovo in the EU and about the implementation of visa liberalization program with EU countries. Prishtina’s envoy emphasized that it is important for Panama to remove visa requirements for the citizens of the Republic of Kosova, considering that Panama has a visa liberalization policy with the Schengen countries.
Both sides discussed the possibility of cooperation in the field of combating cyberattacks, development of cooperation programs between the Ministry of Public Security in Panama City and Kosova’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. Ramirez expressed interest in deepening cooperation in International Diplomacy engagement and continuing to support Kosovo’s membership in international organizations.
During her official visit, Deputy Minister Gashi held a memorable meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly of Panama and representatives of ProPanama Promotion Agency.
On October 18th, 2023, Deputy Minister Liza Gashi conducted political consultations with Alejandro Solano Ortiz, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica. The political consultations between Kosovo and Costa Rica are a remarkable chapter in the foreign policy strategy of both governments and represent a real opportunity to uphold the interests of Central America in Europe.
Costa Rica is one of the first countries to recognize the independence proclamation of Kosovo and Gashi’s visit marks the tenth anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Within the framework of political consultations, were elaborated the potential of deepening cooperation in the fields of culture, university education, environment and green economy.
Furthermore Mrs. Gashi held meetings at the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica, in the Ministry of Culture and discussed future commercial cooperation in the local Chamber of Commerce.
Latin America is home to 662 million people, has the world’s largest deposits of copper, fourth largest deposits of lithium and the third largest global reserves in nickel. South America is also home to some of the most diverse agricultural products that are in great demand in Southeast Europe. Kosovo’s recently shaped alliances across the Atlantic are a lucrative adventure, trade imperative, and among the best investments in Prishtina’s foreign policy priorities; PM Kurti’s geopolitical vision encompasses tangible economic and unbridled diplomatic results that will reinforce his democratic nation’s independent standing abroad.
