The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, together with the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce (KCC), signed three memorandums of cooperation with the state of Portugal today, in the first economic forum between the two countries.

This cooperation will be between the Kosova Chamber of Commerce and the Minho Business Association, the Memorandum of Cooperation between the International Network of Portuguese Chambers of Commerce (RCPM) and the Kosova Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Memorandum of Cooperation between ISCTE Executive Education and the University of Business and Technology (UBT).

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika Gërvalla, has said that Portugal’s support in international fields has been very important and that Kosovo will always be a reliable partner for Portugal.

Gërvalla, has added that during 2023, Kosovo has recorded an economic growth of 9.7 billion euros and it is expected to reach 10.5 billion euros by 2025.

“Kosova has established itself as a reliable partner in the region, particularly through its efforts in the rule of law, transparency, and good governance. These advancements have been internationally recognized with Kosova being ranked as one of the fastest progressing democratic states worldwide Our GDP rose from 8.9 billion euros in 2022 to 9.7 billion euros in 2023 and is projected to reach 10.5 billion euros by 2025. Inflation decreased from 11.6 percent in 2022 to 4.9 percent in 2023 and is expected to further decline this year to 3.5 percent, creating a stable economic environment, attractive to investors. Portugal was one of the first countries to recognize our independence and has supported us in many crucial moments since then, with all the international organization memberships that Kosova has been successful getting through the years. Kosova will always be a reliable and supportive partner for Portugal”, said Gërvalla.

Meanwhile, the Vice-President of the Assembly of Kosovo, Saranda Bogujveci, has added that the parliamentary foundations between Kosovo and Portugal have already been established.

“This first bilateral forum between our countries marks a significant significant step in strengthening our economic ties between our economies and people. Today’s ceremony marks a new chapter of the relationship between Kosova and Portugal. This is a testimony of the great desire of both Kosova and Portugal to advance our excellent relationship and to further strengthen our bilateral cooperation and partnership”, Bogujevci continued.

Also, the Vice-President of the Portuguese Parliament, Marcos Perestrello, said that the wounds of the war are what united these two countries.

He added that this economic forum was made possible thanks to the will of many entrepreneurs from Kosovo and Portugal who will remain as the spirit of friendship between the two countries.

“War forges strong friendships, unbreakable bonds that time consolidates and cannot make us forget. We traveled the four corners of the world. But our attention has never turned to this area of Europe, the Balkans. Which are so close, and that being so far from our attention. The recent war in Kosovo brought a Portuguese military contingent to this country. A peacekeeping Force that for 20 years included more than 7,000 Portuguese men and women who took this country to heart. That is what is being made here today, on this economic Forum, only possible thanks to the determination of ambassador and the will of so many Portuguese and Kosova entrepreneurs who will remain as the soul of this beautiful friendship between our two countries”, he emphasized.

Finally, the President of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, Lulzim Rafuna, added that this offers an opportunity to expand the partnership network, as he added that this forum is a promising start.