President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, met in New York with the representative of the US mission in UN, Ambassador Samantha Power.
President Jahjaga and Ambassador Power discussed the actual developments in South-Eastern Europe, processes which Kosovo and the region is going through towards Euro-Atlantic integrations as well as the continuation of the American presence and engagement in Kosovo, as a guarantee of peace and stability in the region.
Madam President emphasized that Kosovo is simultaneously engaged in a number of processes which aim the stabilisation of the South-Eastern Europe and conclusion of the state building process, process which USA has strongly supported, inclusive of establishment of peace and establishment of a stable democracy in Kosovo.
President Jahjaga added that region has entered an important stage, especially after the commencement of the dialogue process between Republic of Kosovo and Republic of Serbia, thus creating opportunities for peace and reconciliation in the region. She also said that EU has undertaken concrete steps to preserve this momentum; however, Kosovo sees the engagement of the USA as essential and as a guarantee of a sustainable peace in the region of South-Eastern Europe. Madam President emphasized that US support for the integrational process would not only help Kosovo but the whole Balkan region maintain peace and stability.
Speaking in relation to the agreements reached in the dialogue process with Serbia, President Jahjaga said that their implementation in full is necessary, as it helps the integration of the Serbian community into the institutions and the society of Kosovo and stated that Serbia’s European integrations process must be conditioned with full normalisation of its relations with Kosovo.
Madam President also added that Kosovo, apart from successes achieved so far, is being faced with challenges in relation to its international consolidation, in particular due to the non recognition by the five EU member states, and obstacles made by Serbia and the countries which have not as yet recognized Kosovo’s independence. Madam President said that Kosovo aspires and aims full membership in UN and other international organisations, inclusive of EU and NATO.
US mission representative at the UN, Ambassador Samantha Power, stressed that USA supports processes which Kosovo and the region is going through. She also said that it is encouraging that Kosovo and Serbia have engaged in dialogue and have achieved the agreement on normalisation of relations.