Hovenier: USA – Kosovo’s unwavering partner

He made these comments after handing over his credentials to the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani.

“The United States is Kosovo’s unwavering partner and this will continue. One commitment I want to share with you is a commitment from the United States Embassy; first and foremost we are your friends, we are on your side, we will work with you, your government, your people, civil society, citizens, to advance the priorities that include promoting democracy, that include supporting “further development of independent institutions, judiciary and rule of law, which are as important as our ongoing global efforts to fight corruption and establish justice and in this case justice for all citizens of Kosovo,” he said. underlining that he will continue to support the efforts of the Kosovo government to move closer to European and Euro-Atlantic institutions.

Ambassador Hovenier said that the people of Kosovo have done what is necessary, to rightly serve their country on the international stage and to create a successful democratic and multi-ethnic state.

“I am proud of the role that the United States has played in supporting the people of Kosovo in achieving this. “I have had the opportunity several times in my career to be part of that process and again it is an honor of my career”, he said.

The President, Vjosa Osmani, said that Kosovo believes in and promotes the values ​​represented by the United States, which are based on democratic freedoms.

“Kosovo today is very different from Kosovo that Ambassador Hovenier remembers because he has moved forward, but one thing has remained consistent all this time, this is our relationship and partnership and friendship with the United States of America. We have grown and developed as a country and will continue to do so because we are blessed to have the US by our side at every step of our journey. “The role of the United States ambassador to Kosovo is essential to ensure that our relationship continues to thrive,” she said.

President Vjosa Osmani and US Ambassador to Pristina Jeffrey Hovenier laid wreaths at the statue of former Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova in honor of his contribution.

“I wanted to do this from my first day as US Ambassador to Kosovo for the respect I have for President Rugova and what he represented at the time. “I had the honor to know him in the Rambouillet process at the time, and I know what he represents and I believe it is very important that we remember and honor him,” said Ambassador Hovenier.

Jeffrey Hovenier arrived in Pristina on Sunday, a few days after being sworn in as the sixth US ambassador to Kosovo. He succeeds the ambassador, Phillip Kosnett, who headed the US diplomatic mission since 2018.

Mr. Hovenier, a career diplomat, has recently served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Turkey, having previously served as Deputy Chief of Mission and Ministerial Adviser on Political Affairs at the US Embassy in Berlin. He has also served in US missions in Croatia, Greece, Panama, Paraguay and Peru, as well as in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Mr. Hovenier has experience in Kosovo. He was part of the team of the United Nations Special Envoy for the Status of Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari, and in 2018 was honored by the former President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, with the Jubilee Presidential Medal for the 10th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence, “for his contribution to the freedom and independence of Kosovo ”.

Ambassador Hovenier takes office in Kosovo at a time when there are growing calls for a stronger US engagement in the process of normalizing relations with Serbia, but also maintaining peace in the Western Balkans.

Following the appointment of Mr. Hovenier to Pristina, the US administration appointed Christopher Hill as the next US Ambassador to Serbia.

Observers are pleased with the fact that the US administration has decided to appoint diplomats with long experience in the region to serve as ambassadors, and believe that such appointments will be aimed at resolving outstanding issues.

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