On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I congratulate Kosovo as it celebrates its thirteenth anniversary as a sovereign, independent state.
The United States is proud of its early and ongoing role in supporting an independent Republic of Kosovo to develop into a multiethnic, inclusive, and democratic country. Kosovo has made significant strides toward a more prosperous, stable, and secure future. We commend Kosovo's recent establishment of formal diplomatic relations with Israel and we applaud your efforts to establish normalized relations with Serbia. Reaching a comprehensive agreement centered on mutual recognition will require all sides to demonstrate flexibility and a willingness to compromise.
The United States values the strong bonds between our people and will continue to support Kosovo on its path toward Euro-Atlantic integration. I wish safety and good health to the people of Kosovo as we continue to work together to overcome the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
