Washington, 18 June 2008
The most high-ranking leaders of the state of Kosovo, Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and President Fatmir Sejdiu met today at the Department of State with the chief of US diplomacy, Condoleezza Rice.
Madame Rice called as historic the first visit of the leaders of the state of Kosovo and reiterated the US commitment for Kosovo. The US Secretary of State expressed her belief in the commitment of the institutions of Kosovo to build a multiethnic democracy and to respect the minorities.
The Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo expressed his gratitude to the US Secretary of State for the US engagement and support for Kosovo. Prime Minister Thaçi pointed out that ‘the independent Kosovo is a country of peace and progress’.
Prime Minister Thaçi also emphasized the progress made in Kosovo in the first few months of its independence.
Commenting on the opposition by some countries to the independence of Kosovo, the head of the US diplomacy reiterated that Kosovo has now been recognized by over 40 states and added that the ‘future of Kosovo will be bright as they have committed people, committed friends and a committed Government.”
The US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, said while concluding the press conference that the leadership of Kosovo is capable of demonstrating the European future of the country.
On Monday, on the 21st of July, Prime Minister Thaçi and President Sejdiu will meet with US President George W. Bush in the White House.