Pristina, October 19, 2022
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, accompanied by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Besnik Bislimi, met today the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the United States for European and Eurasian Affairs and at the same time the special envoy of the United States of America for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar .
The meeting discussed the importance and significance of bilateral relations, the partnership between Kosovo and the USA, progress and reforms in Kosovo, dealing with the energy crisis, relations between Kosovo and Serbia, the dialogue process and the way forward.
With the United States of America, we are allies in values and partners in goals, said Prime Minister Kurti in a statement to the media after the meeting.
The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the United States for European and Eurasian Affairs, Escobar, reiterated the support of the United States to the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Kosovo and the willingness to work together with the Government of the Republic of Kosovo for their realization. In the end, Mr. Escobar thanked Prime Minister Kurti for his hospitality, partnership and friendship.
The full statement of Prime Minister Kurti in the joint address to the media shortly after the meeting with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the United States for European and Eurasian Affairs, Mr. Escobar:
Dear citizens and dear journalists,
Thank you for coming to today’s media conference, in which case I welcome Mr. Escobar once again to Kosovo, who is a great friend of ours and a great contributor to peace, security and democratization, not only of Kosovo, but of our region.
It was therefore a pleasure to welcome the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the United States for European and Eurasian Affairs and at the same time the special envoy of the United States of America for the Western Balkans, Mr. Gabriel Escobar.
After the visit of the chief executive of the MCC, Alice Albright, this is the second visit in two days by high representatives of the United States of America. We meet regularly with the American ambassador in Kosovo, Ambassador Jeffrey Hovenier, whereas, at the beginning of last week, I had a very good telephone conversation with the American Secretary of State, Mr. Antony Blinken.
With Mr. Escobar we talked about the importance and significance of our bilateral relations, the partnership between our countries, about progress and reforms in Kosovo, dealing with the energy crisis and about the relations between Kosovo and Serbia, the dialogue process and the way forward.
Through the readiness for meetings, the will for agreements and the concrete proposals that we give, the Republic of Kosovo has shown to be a constructive and creative party in the dialogue process.
We are ready and committed to reaching a legally binding agreement for full normalization of relations with mutual recognition at the center.
We always welcome the interest and engagement of the United States of America in this process.
With the United States of America, we are allies in values and partners in goals.
Kosovo’s immediate alignment with the United States of America, the European Union and the United Kingdom in the imposition of sanctions against the Russian Federation and unreserved support for Ukraine and its people are proof of our alliance and partnership and at the same time the difference with all those others who did not properly align themselves on the side of truth and justice.
Thank you very much for the meeting Mr. Escobar.
Last modified: October 19, 2022