Washington, 19 July 2008
Kosovo leaders, Prime Minister Thaçi and President Fatmir Sejdiu were received with the highest state respect 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.
The reception with high respects paid for President Sejdiu and Prime Minister Thaçi showed one more time the American commitment to support the progress of independent Kosovo in all the fields.
In his assessment following the meetings in Washington, the Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, said that Kosovo, as an independent, sovereign and democratic state is a country of peace, stability and with a perspective to develop.
"Kosovo has excellent cooperation with all the countries of the region, Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, and in a near democratic future, we believe to have good relations with Serbia too,” said Mr. Thaçi.
Prime Minister Thaçi said that the delegation of Kosovo has committed itself to making progress, but also is aware of the new responsibilities in the road ahead.
Kosovo and the people of Kosovo, said Prime Minister Thaçi, are deeply grateful to the American Government and the American people for their support.
On his part, the US State Department spokesperson, Sean McCormack called the yesterday’s meeting in Washington as historical, pointing out that the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was very happy to meet the President and the Prime Minister.
"It was a very good meeting. The leaders of Kosovo spoke about the past, abut the future, and spoke about their hopes and aspirations. While, we spoke about our readiness and will to work with Kosovo until they build their political system, their economy at a time when the international community will continue to take care of security aspects,” said McCormack.
Both meetings held yesterday 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.