“The Kosova-Serbia dialogue should bring about mutual recognition of the two countries in the end, as only in this way the vision for a complete Europe is fulfilled“. This was the message delivered by the US Ambassador to Prishtina, Jeffrey Hovenier, at the 2024 Western Balkans Summit.

Hovenier also condemned statements coming from the “Pan-Serb Assembly,” while underscoring that Kosova is an independent country and everyone should accept this reality.

“The conclusion of this process should be mutual recognition between the two countries, because anything less than that does not fulfill the vision we have for a complete, free, prosperous, and peaceful Europe, especially considering the potential instability that may follow. We express our concern about the statements of the ‘Pan-Serb Assembly’ that ‘Kosova is an indivisible part of Serbia,’ and I must say that this is not the stance of the US and partner countries. Kosova is an independent and democratic country that must be accepted and that cannot be renegotiated,” said Hovenier.

The ambassador also spoke about the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU, stating that the US will support any initiative that brings these countries closer to the European family.

“The US sees Kosovo as part of the Western Balkans, and our policy aligns with the broader vision for this region. This vision aims to push forward a long-term, impartial vision towards a free and peaceful Europe. Priority of the US for the region is to support European integration for these countries and to fully integrate them into the structures of the EU and NATO. I am pleased to see that the countries of the region embrace integration into the EU because in this way, the countries will be more developed, and the common economic market will bring more prosperity to these countries. The US supports initiatives that bring the countries of the region closer to the EU,” underlines Hovenier.

/a.p./