Deputy Minsister Selimi meets the Minister for Europe and the Minister of Education of the Republic of Ireland
In the meeting that the Deputy Minister had with the Minister of the State for Europe, Lucinda Creighton, they talked about Kosovo's European perspective. Selimi spoke of Kosovo's commitment, of the government, of the political spectrum and of the society in general about a series of European values and standards aimed at EU and NATO integration. Deputy Minister Selimi also briefed her on the recent developments in Kosovo.
The Irish Minister for Europe, Lucinda Creighton, expressed her satisfaction for the progress that Kosovo has made in the years of freedom and independence, of reforms, but also in the process of international recognitions. She promised the continuation of the Irish support for the independent Kosovo on a bilateral and multilateral level as well as the dedication of Ireland towards the EU enlargement with the countries of our region.
In meeting the Irish Minister of Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, Deputy Minister Selimi spoke of the great work that the government of Kosovo has done in the field of education, especially in renewing school infrastructure and raising teachers' standard bar, but also the work in the general reform if the education system. He went on lining out the priorities and the concrete needs in the area of education on which matter he stated that he asks for and expects the support of Ireland which is known as a model on education reforms leading to enormous economic growth in Ireland in the last decades.
Minister Quinn and Deputy Minister Selimi pointed out the general fields of assistance and cooperation between Ireland and Kosovo and agreed in principle on the concreting it in practice. The Irish Minister promised assistance in teacher exchanges, consultancy on reforming school programs and positively responded on the request for delivering contingents of books for Kosovar schools. The talks will be find concrete application in the next following days between the ministries of Education of the two countries.
Deputy Minister Selimi afterwards had a meeting in the State Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with Mrs. Anne Barrington, General Director for Europe, Adrian McDaid, director for Eastern Europe and directors of other departments with whom he talked about the political and economical situation in Kosovo, for Kosovo's relationships with its neighbours, as well as for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. After speaking of the engagements of the government in the European Agenda, Deputy Minister Selimi asked for the continued Irish support for Kosovo's goals for European integration and progress consolidation. The Irish officer, Anne Barrington, was briefed and spoke positively of the policies pursues by Kosova in the directions and for Kosovo's contribution in the dialogue.
At his appearance before the Members of the Parliament and the senators in the Irish Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Selimi answered the MP's questions regarding the recent events in Kosovo, on the European integration process, bilateral recognitions and Kosovo's efforts for a greater access in multilateral bodies. The Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee thanked Deputy Minister Selimi "for the brilliant presentation of Kosovo's progress" and promised the assistance of the Irish Parliament or of the Oireachtas, in furthering relations between the two countries.
On the second day of the business visit in Ireland, Deputy Minister Selimi will deliver a speech at the prestigious Irish institute for foreign affairs and European integrations, IIEA; will meet with the business community and will be visiting the state agency for the promotion of international investments "Enterprise Ireland".
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