Vjosa Osmani has also been serving as acting president of Kosovo since November 2020, making this official visit all the more significant. Four months after the
visit by former National Council President Isabelle Moret to Kosovo, Ms Osmani's return visit to Switzerland has ensured continuity in high-level discussions at a unique juncture in Kosovo's political transition. The two countries maintain close and varied bilateral relations, not least because of the large Kosovar diaspora community in Switzerland.
Discussions focused on the political situation following Kosovo's early elections on 14 February and the new government's priorities, which include tackling corruption and ensuring transparency and the rule of law, creating jobs and opportunities for young people, and supporting economic recovery.
Issues concerning COVID-19 and vaccine access were also on the agenda, particularly in regard to the pandemic's repercussions on the health system and the economy in Kosovo.
In addition, this visit afforded an opportunity to discuss Kosovo's state of dialogue with Serbia regarding the prospects of a normalisation of their bilateral relations.
Switzerland contributes to lasting stability in Kosovo and the entire Western Balkans through its involvement in peacekeeping operations. It is particularly active in programmes for political dialogue, integration of minorities, dealing with the past, democratic institutions and humanitarian demining.
In this context, Mr Aebi and Ms Osmani discussed the Swiss Armed Forces' engagement with KFOR. Since 1999 the
Swiss Armed Forces have been deployed with a peacebuilding mission in Kosovo, the largest of Switzerland's engagements in military peace support. In June 2020 the Swiss Parliament
extended until 2023 the mandate of Swisscoy, which currently comprises 195 military personnel.
Ms Osmani's official visit was also an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations between both parliaments and the possibility of the Swiss Parliament providing its Kosovan counterpart with technical support. Potential areas for such
parliamentary technical cooperation were considered in a joint session with members of the Kosovan delegation.
Vjosa Osmani also paid courtesy calls on the president of the Council of States, Alex Kuprecht (SVP/SZ), and the vice-president of the Federal Council and head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis.
Switzerland recognised Kosovo as an independent state 13 years ago on 27 February 2008 and is now one of its main partner countries and donors. In the context of Switzerland's cooperation with Eastern Europe, the new state of Kosovo is a
priority country of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
During the 1998‒99 conflict, Switzerland provided humanitarian aid and set up programmes for the return and reintegration of refugees and displaced persons. These activities were subsequently replaced by reconstruction and development programmes.
Since 2008, Switzerland and Kosovo have signed a number of bilateral agreements covering areas such as technical and financial cooperation, civil aviation, international transport of passengers and goods by road, trade, and investment protection.
Photo gallery of the official visit by President of the Assembly of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani