SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. Madam President, Prime Minister, it’s great to have you both here at the State Department and in the United States. Kosovo is a firm partner of the United States, and I think as you all know, there is a long and strong history between us, particularly with President Biden, who sends his congratulations to both of them.
We are working together on so many different import issues to the United States and to our countries. I want to thank you again for your generous hosting of Afghans at risk, the strong support we have seen from day one for Ukraine faced with Russian aggression, the work you are doing at the Democracy Summit, including hosting a summit on women, peace and security – and, Madam President, I particularly appreciate your leadership on this. And tomorrow you will sign a compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation – of real significance particularly when it comes to supporting your efforts to build renewable energy.
So there is a lot to talk about as we work on all these issues, as well as, of course, critical regional security issues that I know we will have the chance to discuss. But most of all, it is a pleasure and an honor to welcome you both here at the State Department. Thank you for coming.
PRESIDENT OSMANI: Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Let me start with a message of gratitude on behalf of all the people of Kosovo whose lives America helped to save. Our partnership with the United States is not only indispensable, it has actually been existential throughout our history. It was existential for us to gain our freedom. It continued to be existential during our walk for independence, until we achieved independence, and it remains so even today while we develop as a strong democracy. Kosovo today is truly a strong democracy, an example of what the US-led democratic world can achieve when it comes together and confronts tyranny and ensures that freedom triumphs over that tyranny and over the genocidal regimes.
In the same way as you were with us then twenty years ago, today you are with Ukraine. Therefore I want to assure you on behalf of Kosovo that the people of Kosovo are also with Ukraine, as we showed by adopting sanctions immediately, on the same day that the United States and the European Union did this. And, of course, we renew our call to all countries in the region to do so.
As you know, Mr. Secretary, Putin will continue to try to destabilize Europe also through the Western Balkans. We will continue to need the unwavering support of the United States, as well as our European allies, to ensure that Russia’s plans and its proxies in the region are stopped. For that reason, we look forward to working with you, with the entire Biden administration, to ensure that as a leader in the defense of democracy, we are successful in defending our shared values, which are very foundations of our country.
We look forward, together with the Prime Minister, to discuss the reforms – especially regarding the rule of law – that we are addressing in our country, and I want to thank you for that support, as well as for every step in the path we have made, and at the same time, the support we are receiving from the United States in the field of defense, because, as you know, 23 years after the liberation of Kosovo, today we are serving side by side – American soldiers in peacekeeping missions around the world.
For that and much more, I would like to thank you. Independent, sovereign and free Kosovo is an irreversible reality that you helped to create. We will work hand in hand every day together with the United States, as well as with other democratic nations around the world, to ensure that this reality is strengthened, to ensure that the international position of the Republic of Kosovo is strengthened, and to move forward in our rightful place in the Euro-Atlantic community. Thank you very much for your welcome.
