Washington, June 10, 2013
Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, was received at the White House by Vice President of the United States of America, Joe Biden.
The Prime Minister thanked the U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on behalf of the Government and the people of Kosovo, for the continued support that the Obama administration and Mr. Biden has personally given to Kosovo in these moments of the consolidation of the new state of Kosovo.
Speaking on agreement of normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia on April 19, 2013 in Brussels, the Prime Minister said that this agreement is not the end of normalization, but it is the beginning, and now the key word is the full implementation of this agreement.
Prime Minister Thaçi thanked Vice President Biden for the unconditional support the U.S. has given to this process. Without U.S. support, this agreement would not be possible. The U.S guarantees and positions were decisive, Thaçi said.
Regarding the willingness of Prishtina to implement the agreement, Thaçi said that legislative changes are in the final stage, and as soon as he returns from this visit, they will be adopted in the Assembly, and that the Kosovar side will not cause any delay. Furthermore, in this regard the Prime Minister stressed that we are working hard to convey messages to the citizens of the north, where as part of the agreement, a development fund will be established for the North in order to improve the life of citizens in that part, who for 14 years who have lived in fear for their future.
Speaking of the European perspective of Kosovo, Mr. Thaçi conveyed to Mr. Biden that Kosovo does not seek its future into the EU by invoking moral principles, but also by fulfilling certain criteria. Kosovo’s citizens are the only ones in the region who need visas to travel to the EU, having a sense of isolation. However, Kosovo’s path towards the EU has no alternative, and we will continuously produce proofs for you Mr. Vice President, so that we can also facilitate your support for us, stated Prime Minister Thaçi.
In meeting U.S. Vice President Biden, Prime Minister Thaçi raised the issue of the future of the Kosovo Security Force, confirming the vision of Kosovo for NATO membership, because KSF is also built under the supervision and upon NATO standards.
On this event, Prime Minister Thaçi thanked the Iowa National Guard’s for the partnership and support it is providing to KSF.
U.S. Vice President, Mr. Joe Biden, welcoming the Prime Minister, expressed his high regard the for vision and attitude of the Prime Minister, considering it as the undisputed statesman, who took very important decisions in difficult times, but always in the benefit of Kosovo and its citizens. The historic agreement reached in Brussels paves the secure way of Kosovo towards the EU and NATO. Your prudence and leadership in overcoming ethnic divisions and animosities of the bitter past is highly valued by the U.S., therefore, in this process, the U.S. support will never be lacking for Kosovo and for you, stated said among others the U.S. Vice President, Joe Biden.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, Mr. Enver Hoxha, and the Minister of European Integration, Ms. Çitaku were also attending in the meeting with U.S. Vice President, Joe Biden.
Last modified: July 31, 2022