USAID friends, partners,<\/p>\n
Distinguished guests,<\/p>\n
Let me start by saying congratulations and a heartfelt thank you \u2013 thank you to USAID and the US government for the historic unwavering support for the Republic of Kosovo.<\/p>\n
I truly wish I could have been there with you tonight in person and believe me, we tried to make it work out. Yet, while I may not be physically present, I\u2019m grateful for this opportunity to join you virtually and share this important moment with all of you.<\/p>\n
Tonight, we gather not just to celebrate an important milestone but also to honor a story. A story of hope, resilience, and a people determined to rise above the darkest chapters of their history. A story that is not only Kosovo\u2019s\u2014but also America\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Twenty-five years ago, in the aftermath of Milosevic\u2019s genocidal war, when the wounds were fresh and dreams were shattered, a hand was extended to us. It was the hand of friendship, the hand of partnership\u2014the hand of the American people. Through that hand, through USAID, came a promise: a promise that the people of Kosovo would not walk this path alone.<\/p>\n
We remember those early days\u2014when homes still laid in ruins, when our institutions were young, and when our democracy was just beginning to take root. It was then that USAID, side by side with the people of Kosovo, began the work of rebuilding. Brick by brick, school by school, project by project\u2014you helped us lift our heads, strengthen our communities, and plant the seeds of a better tomorrow.<\/p>\n
But USAID\u2019s mission here was never just about bricks and mortar. It was about something deeper\u2014something more enduring. It was about investing in the dreams of our people, empowering our youth, and building institutions that stand as pillars of justice, equality, and opportunity.<\/p>\n
Kosovo today stands as a testament to what is possible when countries join hands and stand together in pursuit of shared values\u2014freedom, dignity, and the belief that every human being deserves the chance to shape their own destiny.<\/p>\n
We see the legacy of that partnership in every corner of our country: in the entrepreneurial spirit of our young women and men shaping Kosovo\u2019s future, in a judiciary strengthened and made more transparent, in protecting the rule of law, in our economy and its every rising robustness.<\/p>\n
But\u2014our journey is not over. We have come far, yes, but there is still work to be done. Kosovo continues to strive for the full realization of its potential as a proud and equal member of the international community. And in this ongoing mission, we know that the strength of our partnership with the United States and USAID will remain as vital as ever.<\/p>\n
Tonight, as we celebrate this 25-year journey, we are reminded of a simple truth: history is not made by the actions of state institutions alone, but also by the courage and resolve of ordinary people. It is made by those who choose to believe, even in the face of adversity, that tomorrow can be better than today. And certainly so, we can never do it alone. We need friends, partners and supporters \u2013 and USAID has been all of that ever since day one.<\/p>\n
So, tonight, to our partners at USAID, we say: thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We thank you not just for what you have done, but for what you have stood for\u2014your commitment to our shared values, your belief in our people, and for standing with us in both the hardest of times and the brightest of moments.<\/p>\n
Let us move forward from this day with renewed purpose. Let us recommit ourselves to the cause of peace, justice, and progress. Together, Kosovo and the United States have written a powerful chapter in the book of history. And together, I am confident, we will write many more.<\/p>\n
Thank you. May God bless Kosovo, the United States, and the enduring friendship between our two countries.<\/p>\n