The commissioning of Kosovo’s first Ambassador accredited to Fiji, will see the diplomatic relations enhanced between the two nations in areas of climate change, capacity building and training, and people to people links.
This was conveyed during a courtesy call on the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dr. Lesikimacuata Korovavala by the non-Resident Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Fiji, H.E. Jetmira Berdynaj-Shala.
Dr. Korovavala thanked Ambassador Shala for her first official visit to Fiji which aimed to advance mutual cooperation between the two nations.
He acknowledged Kosovo’s commitment to align cooperation with Fiji’s and the region’s priorities, with climate change being one of the key areas of interest.
On the same note, he welcomed Kosovo’s interest to provide training and capacity building opportunities particularly in diplomacy and foreign services.
Dr Korovavala said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will work closely with the Embassy of Kosovo in Australia to see how best the two nations can optimize current collaboration.
In her response, Ambassador Shala said she is honoured to be the first Ambassador of Kosovo to Fiji since the establishment of our diplomatic relations ten years ago.
She is optimistic that even though there is great geographical distance between our two countries, we are united in our shared commitment to build resilient and sustainable development. She is confident that during her tenure she will strive to take our relations to newer heights.
Ambassador Shala said Kosovo is grateful for the Fijian police officers who served in the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. In recognition of this cooperation, Kosovo is offering training opportunities in a range of areas for Fijian nationals through the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety.
She said climate change is an important area through which Kosovo hopes to support Fiji and the region, particularly in building resilience against the climate crisis.
To conclude, she said Kosovo will send a high-level ministerial delegation to Fiji and the Pacific region next year to see how best Kosovo can build stronger cooperation. She expressed her fervent hope that Kosovo will be included in the accreditation of one of Fiji’s existing missions.