Prishtina, June 21, 2017 – The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, has decorated Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad with the medal “Order of Independence” for his contribution to the independence of Kosovo.
President Thaçi has said that Ambassador Khalilzad is recognized in Kosovo as President Bush’s United Nations Ambassador, as a great supporter of our people’s aspiration for freedom, equality and justice, at the time when Kosovo was preparing to declare its independence
“Ambassador Khalilzad had made Kosovo main issue of the United States Security Council’s rotating presidency. He, like President Bush, said that ‘enough is enough’ and that the issue of Kosovo could not be delayed indefinitely in the Security Council. Therefore, the recognition awarded today is the gratitude of the people of Kosovo for his commitment to Kosovo’s independence”, stated President Thaçi.
Whereas, Ambassador Khalilzad expressed his satisfaction that he has returning to Kosovo after 10 years and is looking at all the achievements made by the people and the leadership of Kosovo.
“I was in Kosovo 10 years ago as part of UN Security Council fact finding Mission. I am delighted to be back 10 years later and to see all the accomplishments that the people of Kosovo and the leadership of Kosovo have achieved. Kosovo is independent and has developed great institutions. Kosovo has been recognized as an independent state by the vast majority of the members of the international community and has an economy that does perform well. Kosovo has internal progress on reconciliation, on relations with Serbia, the dialogue, on its international standing, more broadly on its aspirations to join the EU and the other Western institutions. So, in a short period of time a lot has been achieved, and I am grateful to be a witness 10 years later to the successes”, said Ambassador Khalilzad.
President Thaçi stressed that the best gratitude to our friends, for those who always supported us, the people and the institutions are expressing every day by working to make our country home of all citizens and a place where all are equal.