Minister Katz held meetings with the Kosovo Prime Minister, Albin Kurti and the President of the State, Vjosa Osmani. The leaders discussed ways to strengthen the relationship between the countries, among other things, the need to promote direct flights and eliminate the need for visas.

Minister Katz offered to the local leadership Israeli aid for the economic and touristic development that Kosovo seeks to promote. Also, a memorandum of understanding was signed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of tourism.

Minister of Tourism Haim Katz: “We will do our best, not in words but in deeds, to support the development of Kosovo in a variety of fields. As a first step, I will assist in the issue of canceling visas and promoting direct flights. I hope we will see the results of our partnership soon”.

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, thanked Minister Katz for the visit: “We share the same values, we will work to deepen the partnership between the countries in all areas of life. We appreciate the mutual recognition, and look forward to marking three years of our relationship”.

The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani: “We have a deep and historic connection between the nations. Our role as politicians is to make the connection continuous, formal and meaningful. In February 2024, we will mark three years of relations between the countries, and I look forward to my arrival in Israel for the occasion. The connection between the countries is fruitful, but there is still Unrealized potential in our relations, for example the issue of visas that creates a burden on the citizens of Kosovo when they arrive in Israel”.

Also as part of the visit, Minister of Tourism Haim Katz held meetings with a number of ministers and representatives of parliament. Among them the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Economy, the President of the Parliament, the Chairman and members of the Israel Friendship Lobby in the Parliament and the Mayor of Pristina, the capital of Kosovo.

Tourism Minister Haim Katz is the first senior minister to make an official visit to Kosovo, which is the first Muslim European country to open an embassy in Jerusalem.