Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel said in Ljubljana on Wednesday that the situation in Kosovo was "relatively stable, yet fragile" and added that the province needed a clear political situation to facilitate investment.
Rupel, speaking at a conference on business opportunities for Slovenian companies in Kosovo, labelled Slovenia an important investor in Kosovo, as bilateral trade reached EUR 60m in the first ten months of 2006, of which Slovenian investment amounted to EUR 40m.
The main issue at the moment is the future status of the predominantly ethnic Albanian province, while less attention is paid to unemployment, public finances, administration and the rule of law, Rupel said at the "Kosovo - Challenge for Slovenian Business" event.
"I do not believe that merely solving the status would open the doors, but such a political situation is not good for Kosovo... Political clarity will increase investors' trust and open international financial flows."
Rupel believes that the convincing victory of democratic and pro-European forces at Sunday's general election in Serbia paves the way towards Euroatlantic organisations for the Western Balkans country, which is where he sees Kosovo in the future as well.
"A division of Kosovo or it joining other countries is not an option," the minister said.
He also pointed to the importance of Slovenian companies in the economic development of the province and listed tourism, energy and infrastructure as the industries with the greatest potential.
Kosovo Finance and Economy Minister Haki Shatri said "Kosovo is open for cooperation and business contacts... Our economy has entered a new phase of development".
Shatri underlined the importance of private enterprise and investment and added that Kosovo had a developed budgetary and tax system, EU-compatible economic and other legislation and macroeconomic stability.
He highlighted untapped natural resources, cheap labour and numerous logistics and transport opportunities, mainly regarding motorways and air transport.
Andrej Lovsin, the chief executive of logictics group Intereuropa, which organised the event, meanwhile said that potential risk factors for Kosovo included a sensitive political situation and a high level of unemployment.
The Koper-based company set up a Intereuropa Kosovo subsidiary six months ago because of the opportunities Kosovo presents in logistics, he added.
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