Pristina, Kosovo - 20 March 2013:The President of the Republic of Kosovo Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga here today received the Letter of Credence of H.E. Muhammad Haroon Shaukat, the first Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of Kosovo, resident in Ankara, Turkey. It was an historical occasion as Mr. Shaukat became the first Pakistani Ambassador accredited to Kosovo. Pakistan formally recognized the Republic of Kosovo in December last year which was followed by a visit of President of Pakistan’s Special Envoy in January this year. After the presentation of credentials ceremony, President Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga and Ambassador Haroon Shaukat held a meeting and discussed ways to promote bilateral relations between the two countries.
Ambassador Shaukat conveyed special greetings from the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan to President Atifete. The newly appointed Ambassador reiterated his resolve to work very closely with the Kosovo friends to create a new chapter of special ties with tangible cooperation in the commercial field.
President of Kosovo expressed her gratitude to Pakistan upon their recognition of independence. She said this move by Pakistan was welcomed by the people of Kosovo as Pakistan is an important country having strategic importance. She termed the appointment of Ambassador Haroon Shaukat as a major step towards further consolidating Pak-Kosovo relations in all fields. The Pakistani Envoy said Pakistan granted formal recognition to Kosovo as an independent State in support of the aspirations of the people of Kosovo for independence.
Earlier, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Enver Hoxhaj, Minister for Economic Development Mr. Besim Beqaj and other senior officials of the Kosovo Government received the new Ambassador. The hosts expressed their great appreciation for the recognition of Kosovo’s independence by Pakistan and evinced keen interest to consolidate relations at political, economic and cultural fields.
The Kosovo Foreign Minister proposed to start exchange of scholarship for students of Pakistan and Kosovo.Mr. Shaukat reiterated Government of Pakistan’s resolve to develop close and brotherly ties with Kosovo. It was agreed to create necessary facilitative framework for promoting commercial relations, encouraging and protecting investments and avoidance of double taxation. Opportunities for collaboration between the two countries in the economy, trade and education fields were discussed.
During his stay in Kosovo, Ambassador Shaukat also held meetings with the President of Chambers & Commerce and leading businessmen. Mr. Shaukat termed the private sector as engine of growth and said his Government will be happy to create interface between the private sectors of Kosovo and Pakistan.
As a country that is aligning its policies and standards as per EU criteria, Kosovo is one of the best countries for Pakistani investors and could be a hub for Pakistan’s commercial activities for EU in general and Balkans region in particular.
Consul General Istanbul Dr. Yusuf Junaid and Press Attaché of the Pakistan Embassy in Ankara Mr. Abdul Akbar also accompanied the Ambassador.
