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Hovenier: The urgency of Euro-Atlantic integration for Kosovo is clear and obvious

2024-03-27 19:18:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Hovenier: The urgency of Euro-Atlantic integration for Kosovo is clear and

The American ambassador in Pristina, Jeff Hovenier, said on Wednesday that the Euro-Atlantic integration of Kosovo is the way to guarantee security and progress, underlining that stability in the Western Balkans is essential for a complete, free and peaceful Europe, especially after Russia's aggression of Vladimir Putin in Ukraine.

"For Kosovo, we understand that the urgency of Euro-Atlantic integration is clear and visible, it is the way to guarantee security, progress and democratic freedom that all citizens want. This is also essential to what we are all trying to do together, which is to advance security and stability in the region," said Ambassador Hovenier.

He made these comments during a debate organized by the University of Pristina and the University of Arkansas for the 25th anniversary of NATO's intervention in Kosovo.

The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, said that that intervention is evidence that when the international community acts united and with determination, it can withstand dark forces and tyranny.

"Unfortunately, these dark forces are still very active today. With each passing day, Serbia does not hesitate to remind us of its true intentions. Serbia, Russia's ally in our region, is committed to returning the region to the 90s. Serbia and its allies want to undo everything we have achieved during these years. They think that the attack on Kosovo is not only an attack on a neighboring country, but also on NATO, on the United States, the United Kingdom and our common successes, as well as against the fundamental values ??of the Euro-Atlantic community", said President Osmani.

On March 24, 1999, NATO began an aerial bombardment campaign against Serbian forces to end the war in Kosovo, which left over 10,000 dead and about 5,000 missing.

American Ambassador Hovenier reiterated the commitment of the United States to never allow a repeat of the events of 1999 in Kosovo.

"We remain committed to supporting the NATO stability mission in Kosovo, KFOR. This force numbers several hundred American troops, and I cannot think of a clearer, more visible and more definitive statement of the commitment and intent of the United States," said Ambassador Hovenier.

Asked by journalists about Kosovo's membership process in the Council of Europe, President Osmani said that Kosovo has done everything that was required to ensure the support of member states.

"There are a few steps left, but what I can say is that all levels of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo are engaged with the deputies of the parliamentary assemblies, but we are also talking with the states separately, as president in particular, I am engaged with the leaders of the states and as you know the Assembly of Kosovo is working with the individual deputies", she said.

President Osmani said that the membership in this Council is of special importance since the citizens of Kosovo are the only ones who still do not have access to the European Court for Human Rights. She rejected the claims that Kosovo in this period is required to establish the Association of municipalities with a Serbian majority, stressing that this is an obligation after membership in the Council of Europe./ VOA