First Estonian Ambassador to Kosovo Presented Credentials

02.04.2009

The first Estonian Ambassador to Kosovo Karin Jaani presented her credentials to President of Kosovo Fatmir Sejdiu on Thursday, 2 April. Karin Jaani resides in Brussels.

In the friendly meeting that took place, the Estonian ambassador and president of Kosovo confirmed the good and strong ties between the two countries. They discussed the situation in Kosovo, which just celebrated its first anniversary. One topic that received a fair amount of attention was Northern Kosovo, which is inhabited by Kosovo Albanians and Serbians. Kosovar President Sejdiu stated that Kosovo is prepared to fulfil the requirements set forth by Ahtisaari's plan. People are also waiting hopefully for the integration of the Serbian community into the Kosovar community to take place throughout the country. Sejdiu stated that in certain spheres the integration of communities has already been fairly successful-Serbians are represented in the Kosovo Assembly and work in the President's inner circle.

The two thoroughly discussed future prospects for Estonia-Kosovo relations. Kosovo is prepared for comprehensive co-operation with Estonia. In the near future, Kosovo is most interested in Estonia's reform experiences and in IT-related co-operation. “As a small nation, Estonia's most valuable resource is its reform experience. We are prepared to gladly share it with Kosovo,” said Ambassador Jaani. President Seijdiu was satisfied that Kosovo university students already have the opportunity to study in the post-graduate programme at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, and in the future Estonian students will no doubt be welcome in Kosovo.

President Sejdiu expressed his gratitude for Estonia's contributions so far in building up Kosovo and recognised the Estonians currently living and working in Kosovo.

Ambassador Karin Jaani was born on 27 August 1952 in Ahja. She graduated from Tartu University in 1980 with a degree in English. Jaani has worked in the Estonian foreign service since 1995. She has been the ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and in the Russian Federation, the director of the Parliament's external relations department, and the director general of the Foreign Ministry's second political department.

Karin Jaani is also the Estonian ambassador to Belgium and Montenegro residing in Brussels.

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