Today is a somber day for Americans.  At home and around the world, we remember and mourn the loss of the nearly 3,000 innocent people whose lives were taken.

First, congratulation on your completion of the program!  I look forward to hearing from some of you today about your final team projects. I encourage you to take these experiences back to your home countries, communities, schools, and families and share all the lessons you have learned related to technical knowledge, leadership skills, and inter-cultural …

To our new Volunteers – congratulations!  You have worked hard to qualify for the program, and you now represent America.  As the first director of the Peace Corps, Sargent Shriver, said, the Peace Corps “stands for everything we believe in and hope to achieve in the world.”  Colin Powell, who was both a senior military …

We are committed to helping Kosovo build its private sector, and to continuing to partner with Kosovo’s institutions to set the country on the path to greater economic self-sufficiency.  

Throughout his lifetime of service – as a hero of the American Army in the Second World War, in the U.S. Congress, as a candidate for President of the United States, and today as one of our most respected senior statesmen – Bob Dole has been a leader in promoting the cause of freedom throughout …

Citizens of Kosovo – Americans don’t stop striving for a better future, and neither should you. I have full faith in the ability of the leaders and citizens of this great country to continue to progress. To unleash the energy of your private sector. To fight corruption and strengthen rule of law. To build trust …

This New Embassy is a physical manifestation of America’s commitment to an enduring partnership with the Republic of Kosovo. As you continue on your journey to bring peace, justice, and prosperity to all the people of this nation, the United States will be at your side every step of the way.

Throughout the world, modern infrastructure drives development and provides employment. Improved transportation links can lead not just to stronger economic ties between neighbors, but to stronger political ties, and to people to people ties that are improved as well.

Denying these incidents desecrates the memory of the dead, reopens the wounds of the living, and sets this region back in its efforts to build democratic states at peace with each other. Acknowledging the crimes against humanity committed here and elsewhere in this country is vital to ensure they never happen again.

Ambassador Kosnett’s Speech on Justice at Levizje Fol,  April 25, 2019 Thank you for that introduction, Elbasan, and thank you for the invitation to speak at Levizje Fol. It is a privilege to be here, as a representative of Kosovo’s closest partner, to offer my thoughts on a topic that is vital to Kosovo’s future: …

I just want to say what a pleasure is to be here at the Education Fair to see representatives of all sorts of American universities and colleges visiting Kosovo. I think the most exciting thing about the American university system is the variety of schools. We have big public universities, we have small liberal arts …

One of the reasons that the United States and Kosovo are so close is that we share the experience of being multi-ethnic communities where we draw on the contributions and strengths from every community. In the same way, these bands are going to show you how they draw on different musical traditions: rock, country, folk. …

Visiting Gracanica is meaningful for me, as it was one of the first towns I visited back in 2003, when I first served at the U.S. mission in Kosovo.  I never forgot the beauty of the monastery and the church.

I’m heartened to see men in the audience who are here at Week of Women and committed to supporting empowerment of women.  Because the goal of advancing full equality and empowerment for women is not only “women’s work.” It is the responsibility of all people, regardless of gender, in the same way that seeking racial …

At the start of Kosovo’s second decade of independence, it is time for Kosovo’s leaders and Kosovo’s institutions to take the lead and to take the responsibility to enforce the law.  So I call on the Kosovo Police and the Prosecutor’s Office to provide the Audit Office with vital law enforcement assistance. And I call on …

Ambassador Kosnett’s Remarks at the “Acknowledge My CV” Event,  March 18, 2019 President Jahjaga, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. I regret to say, many times in Kosovo when I am meeting with senior people, I start out by saying “good morning, ladies and gentlemen” or “good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen” then I look around the …

Empowering survivors doesn’t only help them and their families, it also does something vital for Kosovo and its neighbors: it reduces social stigma and creates space for an honest public conversation about the war, and how to deal with the past.  Such a conversation must make room for the voices and perspectives of victims from …

The U.S. government’s work in Kosovo is centered around three key themes: Peace, Justice, and Prosperity.  The students who participate in Junior Geeks will be better prepared to contribute to Kosovo’s development in all three of these areas. 

Ambassador Delawie’s Remarks at the Launch of the Procurement Transparency Index Annual Report, August 7, 2018 It’s great to be here with you all. Thank you for joining us today. I’m really happy to be here for the launch of the Procurement Transparency Index. I think we all know that procurement reform is critical for addressing corruption …

Dokufest has a long history of partnership with Americans in the film industry, including with the AmDocs Film Festival in Palm Springs, CA, by the way that is very close to my hometown of San Diego.  I hope some of our American visitors this year will develop similar long-lasting ties to Dokufest and to some …

I want to congratulate the Government of Kosovo, and the Ministry of the Kosovo Security Force, on selecting a great vehicle through an open and transparent process. I also want to congratulate AM General for their success. Both the citizens of Kosovo, and the workers of AM General, are winners today.

As I have said before, transparency is one of the most important ways to fight corruption.  And, a critical tool for transparency is open data.  The U.S. Embassy in Kosovo has long supported transparency initiatives, from judicial sector opening to the recently launched Procurement Transparency Portal.

As we commemorate our 242nd year of independence, we also celebrate our special partnership with Kosovo that deepens with each passing year.  When we celebrated Kosovo’s 10th anniversary earlier this year, it was an occasion to reflect on the impressive progress made in your first decade of statehood, working alongside partners and friends, many of …

Route 6 is more than an investment in Kosovo’s roads; it’s an investment in Kosovo’s future.  More than 70 percent of workers on the project are from Kosovo.  They have gained not only good wages but specialized skills that will allow them to earn a good living here in Kosovo.

Today we add another important element that further brightens your reputation:  Recognition by both Kosovo’s National Qualifications Authority and the U.S. based International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training’s accreditation program.

The United States strongly values and actively promotes CSR activities because they encourage innovation and contribute to sustainable growth and community development.

Ambassador Delawie’s Statement for Eagle 6 Distinguished Visitors Day, May 11, 2018 Wow! What a great exercise the Kosovo Security Force has put on with the successful execution of Eagle 6. This disaster response exercise is timely, and a great demonstration of the critical services the KSF provide to all of Kosovo’s citizens. I’m really …

I encourage all of you to see yourself as innovators during this conference.  By working together across sectors, you have the power to make a real difference in Kosovo’s education, and Kosovo’s future. 

I am inspired every day by Kosovo’s women.  From President Jahjaga to Dr. Rushiti to the countless activists who fight for rule of law, security, and human rights: women are the ones pushing Kosovo toward a democratic, European future.  I am very happy to see here every woman from the cabinet of the government – …

Ambassador Delawie’s Remarks for Library Week in Kosovo, April 10, 2018 Good morning everyone.  Prime Minister Haradinaj, Minister Gashi, Director Gajraku, librarians, it is my pleasure to be here once again to kick-off the 16th edition of Library Week in Kosovo. Libraries, and more importantly their trained staff, are cornerstones of the community and essential to …

I’ve been impressed since almost my first day in Kosovo by the dedication and perseverance of our Peace Corps Volunteers, and perhaps most of all, by their willingness to leave what is familiar to them in the U.S., their families, friends, and coworkers, to serve in Kosovo for 27-months, to live the entire time in …

Pristina is a very interesting city, full of vibrant ideas and young people eager to bring Kosovo closer to the Euro-Atlantic future we all aspire to for them.  However, I think you will see that there are significant infrastructure challenges that need to be addressed in the coming years.  I’m excited to hear the ideas …

The U.S. Embassy’s Civil Military Support Element has built strong relationships with both KSF and KBP for more than four years now.  The fruits of those relationships are events like these.  Events which show the true professionalism and dedication of the men and women, who selflessly volunteer to serve and protect the lives of their …

The U.S. Embassy strongly supports engagement from U.S. companies in Kosovo, and these two hotels will provide significant economic benefits for Kosovo’s citizens, as well as providing a comfortable place for its visitors to stay.  In addition to generating millions of euros in construction and annual revenue, they will also employ around 150 people with …

Ambassador Delawie Remarks for Week of Women 2018: Corruption as a Threat to Democracy, March 20, 2018 Welcome everyone, it’s great to be back here at the annual Week of Women.  And I think this year’s theme really captures the defining challenges facing Kosovo: the struggle to build an equitable, inclusive society and the fight against corruption. …

There are few issues more critical to Kosovo’s future than a secure, reliable, and independent energy supply and a diversified energy market.  Right now energy insecurity is costing Kosovo’s economy about €335 million a year, and that’s just not sustainable for any country.  But the cost is much broader than even that staggering sum conveys …

I strongly encourage every judge in Kosovo to take this effort seriously and approach it with the dedication and professionalism that the people of Kosovo deserve from their judiciary.

I hope that you will use this conference productively to discuss your most pressing concerns and challenges and come up with concrete suggestions for improvements of Kosovo’s prosecutorial and judicial systems. The U.S. Embassy will continue to assist you in these efforts and we look forward to continuing our work with you.

The U.S. Embassy strongly supports Kosovo’s efforts to increase its cybersecurity capabilities, both in the public and private sectors.  I am glad to see so many other people here who share that commitment, especially the Prime Minister, the Speaker, other members of Kosovo’s Government, civil society, private businesses, it is great to be here with …

High-Level Donor Forum on the Rule of Law and Education Sectors, December 11, 2017 Good morning, Prime Minister Haradinaj, Ambassador Apostolova, Ministers, fellow diplomatic and donor colleagues. Looking around this room, it’s clear that Kosovo has a lot of friends and partners working to make a difference here. The U.S. partnership with Kosovo remains strong, and …

Today, the Fund receives a big boost from our friends at the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, who will sign up to guarantee €10 million euros in KCGF loans.  This is a critical contribution that will help ensure the resilience and the sustainability of the Fund.  Sweden was an early supporter of this credit initiative, and …

Over the past year, in partnership with the Government of Kosovo, we’ve taken big steps to foster private-sector led growth and to unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of Kosovo’s talented citizens.

Ambassador Delawie’s Remarks Demining Handover Ceremony, November 9, 2017 Thank you very much. It’s great to be here today. I’ve been to many mine clearing ceremonies when I lived in Croatia – ten or more years ago. This is my first in Kosovo and it’s such a pleasure to be here today on such a positive occasion. …

Marines have been referred to in so many ways throughout our history… the few, the proud; the tip of the spear; and perhaps a few other things maybe not meant for a black-tie ball.  But no slogan can capture the bravery, integrity, and tradition of this extraordinary fighting force.

An important part of what career centers can do is connect students to vast alumni networks that have the power to play a huge role in the professional development of the talented individuals who follow in their footsteps.  In fact, in the U.S., it’s not uncommon for alumni to interview you before you even get …

The folks at HandiKos are among the best.  Your tireless advocacy for the rights of the disabled has changed Kosovo for the better time and time again.  Just look at the 2016 Law on Paraplegic and Tetraplegic Persons.  It never would have happened without you and your commitment to making Kosovo accessible to all its …

It’s a pleasure to be here with my distinguished fellow panelists and it’s great to have you all here today to talk about my favorite and at the same time most hated issue that we work on here in Kosovo. As Arian said, from my first day here, in fact, from my first time ever …

As I’ve noted before, $49 million is one of the largest Threshold grants ever approved by the MCC, and it is far and away the largest on a per capita basis.  And with it comes a huge responsibility for Kosovo’s new government to implement the program with efficiency, with transparency, and of course with results.

The United States is dedicated to working with Kosovo to strengthen its borders.  Strong borders make it easy for legitimate travelers to cross borders, as well as prevent crime and corruption, and keep us safe from those who want to do us harm.

We at the U.S. Embassy firmly believe that when women do not have the same access to opportunity as men, a country cannot reach its full potential.  That’s why we support programs like this that will give you all the chance to gain the experience you need to be competitive in today’s job market.  We …

It was only seven months ago in Gjirafa’s offices not far from here that we celebrated the launch of the Gjirafa Lab, and placed our faith in an innovative new endeavor to identify and incubate promising young tech companies in Kosovo.

The Embassy of the United States of America is dedicated to strengthening the rule of law system in Kosovo. Partnering with stakeholders from Kosovo institutions, the civil society, and the donor community, we are working to promote a justice system which is fair, legitimate, and accountable to citizens.

The United States is one of Kosovo’s best friends and supporters.  The partnership between our countries is deep and multi-dimensional, and we work hard every day to advance our common goals of democracy, security, and prosperity. 

I am very pleased to see Coca-Cola’s worldwide CSR commitment to give back to local communities taking root here in Kosovo and I look forward to Coca-Cola’s continued leadership in the field. I would certainly encourage other Kosovo-based businesses to look at what they can do for their communities, whether here in Pristina or elsewhere …

We at the Embassy are proud to support DokuFest and other projects in Prizren that have helped attract international attention and turn the city into a point of pride and the cultural destination it is today.

So is Kosovo on the right path? I believe so. But the road ahead is still bumpy, with barriers seen and unseen to overcome. To stay on that path, Kosovo’s next leaders must commit themselves to serving the interests of their country above all personal or partisan political considerations.

It is a pleasure to be here with you today to mark the commencement of UP, and to honor your hard work and accomplishments as students here. You have all followed different paths to find yourself here, but today you sit united by your common goal—to make a positive mark on the future of Kosovo …

The program is a step in Kosovo’s evolving justice system. After today, victims will finally be able to seek compensation from the state for their injuries. While this allows Kosovo to meet its international obligations, it is absolutely essential to help victims regain some of what was taken from them, to avoid being victimized a …

According to President Kennedy, a nation needs leaders with the courage to think beyond the traditional political patterns; those who will embrace difficult decisions, rather than shrinking from their responsibilities to the nation. This is the courage to which I, as a public servant, must aspire—and this is also the courage to which our democracy—and …

While this is an effort for Kosovo, and led by Kosovo institutions, I believe the international community also has an important contributory role to play. We are committed to your success, and have contributed resources and expertise to help you. I encourage you to take advantage of that, and come to us as you need …

As you know, the United States and Kosovo share a special history and the United States is fully committed to Kosovo’s success. I speak about this often. Since even before Kosovo’s independence, my government has invested millions of dollars in this country to help strengthen rule of law and democratic governance; to facilitate economic growth; …

I’m excited to welcome you and hear about your concerns, successes, and dreams. Your rich cultural tapestry is what makes Kosovo so special. Your success is Kosovo’s success.

Everyone in this room has taken risks, has put a piece of them self on the line to make a contribution, to build prosperity, to create something new. So keep taking those risks and we’ll keep standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you when you do. I commend you all, and I’m proud to be your partner. Thank …

As Strong City members, I encourage you to participate actively in its efforts and to take advantage of its numerous and varied resources. By doing so, you will learn the practical steps you can take to safeguard the security and well-being of your citizens. And you will demonstrate your support for the values of decency, …

Kosovo has already made important strides on the road to recovery from a terrible war that devastated so many families, and that is still causing far too many too much pain. Citizens can be rightfully proud of the steps their government has already made on the path toward reconciliation, including your inclusive laws and multi-ethnic …

Progress on property rights is essential to a better future for the people of Kosovo, for economic development, women’s economic inclusion and empowerment, Euro-Atlantic integration, and progress towards the rule of law and human rights.

I am very encouraged to hear the Kosovo Government has approved a comprehensive Cybersecurity Strategy and Action Plan. To open this important event today, I would like to say a few words today about the nexus between cybersecurity and privacy. The digital economy is booming around the world – creating new jobs and opportunities we …

One of the extraordinary things about serving here in Kosovo is that every day I get to see the innovation of Kosovo’s entrepreneurs, and the determination of so many of you who are driving economic development. And there are so many different people- I was at a Makerspace in Gjakova a couple of months ago …

Tonight we are lucky to also have with us 20 talented young artists from across Kosovo, who have used artistic expression to advocate for inter-ethnic inclusion and reconciliation. And we can see their talent and passion on display here tonight.

I have been talking about the Justice Sector Strengthening Project for months, so I am extremely happy to be here today to kick off this important part of the whole initiative.