ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The two-day inaugural session of Pakistan-Kosovo Bilateral Political Consultations was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Kosovo in Pristina on April 6-7, 2017 in which entire spectrum of bilateral relations was covered.
In the talks, the Pakistani delegation was led by the Additional Secretary (Europe) ambassador Zaheer A. Janjua while the delegation of the Republic of Kosovo was led by the Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo Muhamet Brajshori, said a press release issued by the Foreign Office in Islamabad on Saturday.
During the deliberations, it was agreed that holding of first round of Bilateral Political Consultations between Pakistan and Kosovo was an important milestone that would help further strengthen bilateral cooperation in various areas, including political, economic, commercial, cultural, and educational collaboration between the two countries.
The two sides also agreed to institutionalize bilateral contacts in various areas of common interest; increase the frequency of the high-level contacts; promote bilateral parliamentary interactions through establishment of parliamentary committees and friendship groups; increase business community interactions to enhance awareness about trade and investment opportunities in the two countries; as well as to establish links between the respective higher education institutions and think-tanks. Views were also exchanged on issues of regional and international importance.
The additional secretary (Europe) also called on the Foreign Minister of Republic of Kosovo Enver Hoxhaj and conveyed the warm sentiments of the Government and the people of Pakistan for Kosovo.
The Kosovo Foreign Minister thanked Pakistan for its consistent support to Kosovo and expressed desire to further strengthen bilateral relations.
The ambassador Zaheer A. Janjua expressed the hope that both sides would continue to explore all avenues for expanding their bilateral cooperation, especially in the area of trade and commerce. He also briefed the Kosovar Foreign Minister on the regional security situation, including the atrocities and human rights violations perpetrated by the security forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir.
In the meeting held with the Head of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce Safet Gerxhaliu, the two sides agreed to promote business community interactions to enhance awareness about trade and investment opportunities, including through establishment of Pakistan-Kosovo Business Council and signing of cooperation agreements between the Chambers of Commerce of the two countries.
The additional secretary (Europe) also held meeting with the Vice Rector of the University of Pristina during which views were exchanged on ways to initiate collaboration between the institutions of higher learning of the two countries.
The next round of Pakistan-Kosovo Bilateral Political Consultations will now be held in Islamabad at mutually convenient dates.
