The US State Secretary, Condoleezza Rice, met today the President and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo.

 

"I have congratulated the president and prime minister of the Republic of Kosovo for the progress they have accomplished, particularly on the implementation of Ahtisaari Plan since Kosovo became independent and sovereign," said Rice.

 Secretary Rice mentioned that the majority of the European Union nations, Japan, Canada, Australia have recognized Kosovo and there will be more recogntions.  She also reminded that majority of the members of the UN Security Council have recognized the Republic of Kosovo and its opponents must accept the fact that Kosovo is independent and sovereign.

Rice added that the United States will continue to assist the Republic of Kosovo as it builds its multiethnic democratic institutions, mentioning the recent donors' conference where the US pledged to donate 400 million dollars and more than 1 billion dollars contributed for various projects for Kosovo in the last decade. 

President of the Republic of Kosovo, Fatmir Sejdiu, thanked the United States on behalf of the Kosovar nation and its institutions for supporting the economic development and democratic social progress in Kosovo. "During our meeting, we expressed our appreciation and our dedication to continue to build a democratic nation for all citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, as one of our main objectives. We also stressed our focus to establish a stable economy and our intent to continue the policy of making Kosovo a stability factor in the Balkans," stated Sejdiu.  

Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, also expressed his appreciation for the powerful support of the Unites States. "Today, the Republic of Kosovo is a peaceful, stable and in excellent cooperation with its regional neighbors, as well as intending to follow the same policy with its other neighbor, Serbia. Certainly, Kosovo has made a commendable progress in the last six months. This is a historic moment for the Republic of Kosovo because this is the first time that the Kosovo Prime Minister and President visit the United States as sovereign leaders of the independent Kosovo state. We also expressed our dedication to pursue further progress towards integration in the Euro-Atlantic structures. Kosovar nation and institutions are gracious to the American government and people for the support they have given to the Republic of Kosovo," concluded Thaci.

In a follow up question, Secretary Rice stressed that "Kosovo, as a sovereign country, has determined people and also determined friends."

"During Donors' Conference we witnessed the ability of the sovereign nation of the Republic of Kosovo to establish relations with other sovereign nations. The United State will continue in assisting Kosovo in all ways, while at the same time building good relations with its neighbor, Serbia ", stressed Secretary Rice.

US Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates hosts an honor cordon to welcome President Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci to the Pentagon today at 2 p.m. local time. Whereas on Monday the state delegation of the Republic of Kosovo is to meet the President of the United States, George W. Bush.