Prattipati at the marking of the 250th anniversary of US independence: Kosovo is the most pro-American country in the world

At the festive “Thank You USA” event, organized by the Municipality of Prishtina on the occasion of July 4, US Independence Day, the Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Kosovo, Anu Prattipati, said she does not know of any other country in the world that is more pro-American than Kosovo.

Prattipati: I have not seen a people with greater closeness to the US than the citizens of Kosovo

“You have heard me say this before, but tonight I say it with all my heart. I do not know any other country in the world — and I have served and lived in many countries — but Kosovo truly is the most pro-American country in the world. The people of Kosovo, I know their loyalty and their ties, they are unbreakable. The respect and closeness that I have seen here are extraordinary. Everywhere I go, people thank me for everything the United States has done, and this has touched me deeply.

“Everything you have done here in this country to honor the United States has moved me tremendously. This wave of love, closeness, gratitude, and thanks means a great deal to the United States and to me personally. To be here representing my country at such a special time is something I will never forget. I simply want to say thank you to you, the people of Kosovo,” she said.

She also stressed that the United States values this trust and friendship from Kosovo as well, recalling American support in the country’s state-building process.

Prattipati: The United States returns this closeness and loyalty to Kosovo

“The United States returns this closeness and loyalty. We knew in 1999 that Kosovo was ready to become a state. We also knew in 2008 that the time had come for Kosovo to be an independent, sovereign, and multiethnic state, to take its place in the international community. We knew that Kosovo would be a partner and ally of the United States, and you have proven this over the last 18 years,” she said.

According to Prattipati, although there have been moments of disagreement in relations between the two countries, they have not undermined the strategic partnership; on the contrary, she expressed confidence that these relations will become even stronger in the future.

Prattipati: There have also been disagreements between the two countries, but they have not shaken the strategic partnership

“Yes, we have had disagreements and issues where at times we did not agree, but overall the United States and Kosovo have done so much together. We have been partners, we have shared values, and we have achieved great things. We have seen Kosovo grow, and we have seen Kosovo support us on some of the most important issues in the world. Our ties are growing stronger every day and every year.

We hope that in the next 250 years these ties will continue, not only because of relations between the two governments, but because of people like you who are here tonight. We see these cultural and human ties growing every day through exchange programs and cooperation, and this is the strongest guarantee for the future of our friendship,” Prattipati added.

On the other hand, Prishtina Mayor Përparim Rama said Kosovo’s relationship with the United States is a value that is honored every day.

Rama: Kosovo’s friendship with the US is a value honored every day

“Prishtina and Kosovo love you, they love the United States of America. And not only on July 4, but in fact we celebrate our friendship with the United States of America, and we are very grateful to have you here. All of us, of course, would like to give you a moment with all this wonderful audience here to tell us about your time in Prishtina, in Kosovo, and also to congratulate you on the 250th anniversary,” Rama said.