Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani proposed on Wednesday in Pristina that Kosovo and the United Kingdom (UK) conclude an agreement on defense and economy.
Osmani made this proposal during a meeting with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who is visiting Kosovo as part of his tour of the Western Balkans.
“The commitment of the UK has been exceptional and unwavering. I am pleased to mention that today I made a proposal for concluding an agreement to deepen strategic cooperation, which will specifically cover the areas of defense and economy. Today, we had extensive discussions on deepening our strategic cooperation,” Osmani said yesterday at a joint press conference with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, adding that Kosovo’s authorities, in cooperation with the UK authorities, will be committed to working on shaping the agreement so that it can be signed as soon as possible.
“The strong ties between our two peoples are something very valuable to me and my colleagues in the new administration. Last year, you hosted Tony Blair here, and his role in NATO’s intervention was one of his greatest achievements,” Lammy said, adding that the UK will continue to play the role of a key friend and partner of Kosovo.
Lammy also used his meeting with Kosovo’s president to call on Kosovo’s authorities to fully engage in the dialogue with Serbia, which is being conducted under the auspices of the European Union (EU).
“Kosovo remains the constructive party, committed to peace and stability, despite the fact that we are constantly faced with obstructions and provocations from Serbia, including successive attacks that began several years ago and continue now. I want to once again emphasize that it is imperative for there to be accountability and for Serbia to bring those responsible to justice,” Osmani said.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy met on Tuesday with Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who during the meeting reiterated that Milan Radoicic should be extradited to Kosovo, where he would face a fair trial for his actions.
Milan Radoicic took responsibility for the armed attack in the village of Banjska in northern Kosovo, in which one Kosovo police officer and three Serbian attackers were killed. The remaining attackers fled to Serbia, leaving behind vehicles loaded with weapons, ammunition, and explosives.
However, in Serbia, no criminal proceedings have been initiated against Radoicic, one of the former leaders of the Serb List, the sister party of the Serbian Progressive Party.
