Confirming Italy’s commitment to strengthening Kosovo’s young democratic institutions, just a few days from the second anniversary of its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008. This is the purpose of Secretary of State Alfredo Mantica’s mission to Pristina, where today he will be meeting, among others, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and his Deputy, Hajredin Kuci.
During his visit, the Secretary of State will have talks with representatives of the international institutions present in the country: today he will be seeing the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative, Lamberto Zannier, and the head of the EULEX Mission, Yves de Kermabon. Tomorrow will be the turn of the commander of NATO’s KFOR mission, General Markus Bentler. This will be followed by a visit to the Serbian Orthodox Monastery at Gracanica, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in a minority Serb enclave under KFOR protection.
Italy has about 1400 military personnel engaged in the KFOR mission in Kosovo. Another 180 units (carabinieri, police, finance/tax police, prison officers and magistrates) are engaged in the European EULEX civilian mission, which helps Kosovo’s institutions to implement the rule of law (police, justice, customs). Italian Development Cooperation is active in numerous sectors in the agricultural, cultural and health sectors. Lastly, Italy is also interested in the opportunities now opening up in the Kosovar economy.
Secretary of State Mantica will be travelling to Bosnia Herzegovina on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 February.