US Ambassador in Pristina Jeff Hovenier said on Wednesday that the Western Balkans are a critical region for the US goal of a Europe “whole, free and at peace”.
Speaking at the opening of the second Kosovo Peace and Democracy Summit, he said that he is “seized with the possibility of realizing a long-standing and enduring vision for Kosovo and the Western Balkans region: a vision of stability, security, democracy, and prosperity”. “Time and again, transatlantic alliances, diplomatic engagement, NATO actions, and EU actions, have proven the critical importance of diplomacy and security engagement in our pursuit of peace,” he added.
Honored to open the second Kosovo Peace and Democracy Summit and share the U.S. vision for the Western Balkans – a critical region for our goal of achieving a Europe “whole, free, and at peace.” The conversations you will have at this summit are important. I look forward to… pic.twitter.com/494aNBIlUU
— Ambassador Jeff Hovenier (@USAmbKosovo) September 20, 2023
According to Hovenier, things have changed immensely for the better in the region. “We couldn’t have predicted exactly the way things would turn out. But generally, we’ve seen increasing peace, progress, and prosperity across the region,” he said.
He said that the US vision for Kosovo remains one in which Kosovo is fully integrated into European and Euro-Atlantic structures. “We want to see Kosovo take its rightful place as a a small- to- medium-sized Western Balkan country – recognized by the entire international community as fully independent and sovereign. And, by the way, we share the same vision for Serbia – to see it qualify for and be fully integrated into European institutions and structures,” Hovenier said.
The ambassador said that the US sees the EU-facilitated Dialogue as the best and only way to achieve full European integration, and lasting peace and prosperity in the region.
