The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti were received in a meeting by the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.
At the meeting, the steadfast partnership between the two countries was reaffirmed. Speaking about the incomparable support of the USA to Kosovo, President Osmani conveyed to Secretary Blinken, and through him to President Biden and all the American people, the permanent gratitude of the people of Kosovo and confirmed the readiness of Kosovo’s institutions for continuous advancement and further deepening of relations between the two countries. In particular, at this meeting of the President and the Prime Minister with Secretary Blinken, there was discussed about the intensification of the joint engagement with the USA in the field of foreign and defense policy, the strengthening of the rule of law, economic development and energy security, and also the Euro-Atlantic journey of Kosovo. The parties expressed their readiness to open new chapters of cooperation in important and strategic sectors.
On the other hand, Secretary Blinken, referring to the historical and excellent relations of the USA with Kosovo, expressed gratitude for the cooperation of Kosovo in various fields, including the commitment to the housing of the Afghan refugees, Kosovo’s clear stances regarding the war in Ukraine, as well as the approval of sanctions against Russia.
During the meeting, Secretary Blinken also conveyed the greetings to President Osmani and Prime Minister Kurti on behalf of President Biden, emphasizing the historic and personal commitment of President Biden in support of Kosovo.
He also highly praised the work of Kosovo in the implementation of the commitments made within the Summit for Democracy. In particular, Secretary Blinken expressed deep gratitude for the work of President Osmani in terms of promoting and advancing the agenda for Women, Peace and Security, in which case he highly praised the organization of the International Forum focusing on this topic.
As for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, President Osmani thanked the United States of America for its continuous support in this process, and in particular for the clear position expressed by President Biden and Secretary Blinken that mutual recognition should be at the center of this process. Moreover, the President emphasized the full commitment of Kosovo’s institutions to engage in this process with recognition at the center, where the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional regulation of the Republic of Kosovo must also be preserved, reemphasizing the importance of the engagement and support of the United States of America in this regard.
At the meeting there was also discussed about the security situation on the continent of Europe and beyond, and also about Russia’s unprovoked and brutal war in Ukraine. In this regard, there was discussed about the necessity of standing side by side in addressing common challenges to peace and security, as well as in promoting common democratic values.
President Osmani said that Kosovo is determined and clear in its stances in support of Ukraine and that Kosovo stands firmly against the actions of Russia and the Russian aggression, confirming this stance through the immediate approval of the sanctions imposed by the USA and the European Union. On this occasion, she called on those countries of the Western Balkans, which so far have not done so, to act and approve the sanctions. At the meeting, the continuation of the American support was requested to prevent Russia’s destabilizing tendencies, using Serbia as its satellite, since, according to President Osmani, these tendencies are continuous, therefore we must remain united in the defense of common values which lie in the foundations of our state as well as in the prevention of the influences of third malignant actors.
President Osmani said that Kosovo is an example of what can be achieved when the democratic world, led by the United States of America, faces tyranny and genocidal regimes, and while united it is ensured for freedom to prevail.
At the meeting there was also discussed about the progress that Kosovo has marked in the implementation of reforms, in particular in the field of the rule of law. There was also discussed about economic development and the importance of attracting foreign American investments, cooperation in the field of defense and security, as well as America’s support for the energy sector and the importance of cooperation in facing energy challenges. Special emphasis has been placed on military cooperation and the role that Kosovo is playing in the protection of peace and security in the world through joint peacekeeping missions with the USA. President Osmani emphasized the importance of Kosovo’s membership in the Partnership for Peace, as a step towards NATO membership, and requested for American support in this regard.
President Osmani emphasized that Kosovo is a reliable and serious partner for America and other democratic allies, and that the strengthening of its international position is an added value for the international community and the democratic world. In this regard, she spoke about Kosovo’s commitment for membership into Euro-Atlantic structures, in which case she emphasized the great importance of membership into international organizations and the recognitions of Kosovo’s independence, and highly praised the support of the USA in this regard.