On the recordFebruary 9, 2022
I proudly stand before you to celebrate the 14th independence of Kosovo, one of the world's youngest nations. Rising from the ruins of ethnic cleansing at the murderous hands of one of the worst dictators in the 20th century, Kosovo has built a burgeoning democracy in whose heart the United States holds a special place. Indeed, the U.S. has no greater friend in southeast Europe than Kosovo, and Kosovo should have no greater friend in the world than the U.S. We owe it to that friendship, as well as to the greater cause of democracy, to stand firmly with Kosovo as it seeks universal recognition from the international community and membership in both the EU and NATO. The time has come for Kosovo to be given the full respect and recognition that an independent country deserves. The United States must stand with those that not only stand with America but also stand for America. Kosovo stands for the American vision of a more democratic world. ____________________
