The Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi and the President, Fatmir Sejdiu, will meet with the US President, George W. Bush on Monday in the White House.
This is the first visit in Washington by the leaders of the independent state of Kosovo. It is expected that President Bush will express to the leaders of Kosovo his strong support for the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo to create a democratic, prosperous and multiethnic state, whose institutions will be in the service of all the people of Kosovo.
Washington, 20 July 2008
Following very successful meetings at the US Department of State and Pentagon, the Kosovar delegation comprising of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, and President Fatmir Sejdiu will meet in the White House on Monday with the US President, George W. Bush, who is expected to express to the Kosovo leadership his strong support for the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo to create a democratic, prosperous and multiethnic state and whose institutions will be in the service of all the citizens of Kosovo.
On Friday, Prime Minister Thaçi and President Sejdiu met with the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, and at the joint press conference that followed; the placing of the flag of the state of Kosovo next to the US flag was of special interest. “This is a historical moment,” said Rice on the occasion.
Secretary Rice also added that “Kosovo, its President and Prime Minister have their friend, the United States of America.”
“I congratulated the President and the Prime Minister for the progress made, especially in implementing the Ahtisaari Plan,” said Rice.
Madame Rice mentioned that most of the countries of the European Union have recognized Kosovo. She also recalled that also most of the members of the UN Security Council have already recognized the independence of Kosovo.
Secretary Rice also said that the US will continue to support Kosovo, mentioning the amount of 400 million dollars pledged at the Donors’ Conference, along with the US support for Kosovo over the last decade which amounts to 1 billion US dollars.
Also, Kosovo leaders, Prime Minister Thaçi and President Fatmir Sejdiu were received with the highest state respect usually paid to statesmen from independent countries and a cordon of soldiers for solemn occasions at the entrance of Pentagon.
The US Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, received the leaders of the state of Kosovo in a visit that marks the first bilateral meeting between the two independent countries held in Pentagon.
Both meetings held on Friday and others to follow on Monday, including the main one with President George W. Bush, have been assessed as very encouraging for the new state of Kosovo and are a proof that the United States are a determined friend of Kosovo, and as the Madam Secretary Rice said herself, the US will help Kosovo in any way they can.