The President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received today a US delegation led by Major General Benjamin J. Correl, Commander of the Iowa National Guard accompanied by the US Ambassador Jeffrey Hovenier and other senior defense officials.
After thanking Major General Correl for his engagements in the field of bilateral cooperation between the KSF and the Iowa National Guard and his contribution to the defense of the Republic of Kosovo and its citizens, President Osmani decorated awarded him the Presidential Military Medal.
President Osmani said that the Security Cooperation Program of the US Department of Defense, headed by the National Guard Bureau, respectively the State Partnership with Iowa, is essential for strategic relations with the United States of America. In this context, she appreciated the commitment of Major General Correl so far, expressing the hope that relations in the field of security between the two states will expand in the future.
“Your results in the field of cooperation are visible and a result of this partnership with the Iowa National Guard. I thank the state of Iowa for the hundreds of men and women of the National Guard in uniform, who have served in Kosovo over the years as part of KFOR, as well as all those who are part of the partnership program,” said President Osmani.
President Osmani emphasized that the Iowa National Guard has significantly contributed to the professionalization and international credibility of the Kosovo Security Force, jointly contributing in international missions with US troops.
Meanwhile, Major General Correl said that he feels honoured by President Osmani’s award which, according to him, will serve as a precious evocation of the partnership with the army and the state of Kosovo. Major General Correl emphasized that he will continue to support Kosovo in whatever capacity he may be engaged in the future.