Blinken wishes February 17th, reiterate support for dialogue

In a statement published by the US State Department, he has said that Kosovo's independence and sovereignty are irreversible, and that there must be persistence to build democratic and inclusive institutions.

He has expressed US support for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, viewing this process as a way to reach agreements on normalisation of relations, which should have mutual recognition at the centre.

Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, with European Union mediating, has started in 2011.

Blinken has said he also hopes Kosovo will take its place in European, Euro-Atlantic institutions

“As one of the newest democracies in the world, Kosovo and its citizens are rightly proud of the progress made in these 14 years. For our part, we are proud of the support given in these” efforts, Blinken has declared.

Kosovo has declared independence on February 17th 2008. According to the list published on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora website, 117 countries in the world have recognised it.

For 14 years of citizenship, Kosovo has joined several international organisations, including financial and sports.

Among them: The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Olympic Committee, the European Football Federation and the World Football Federation.

Kosovo is not yet a member of the United Nations, European Union, Council of Europe, World Trade Organization and so on. / REL/