Osman gives Hovenier “a stone from Trepca as a symbol of Kosovo's free, independent and inseparable land”

“A stone from Trepca as a symbol of Kosovo's independent and inseparable land, a mission for which Ambassador Havenier engaged for more than two decades”. At the same time, Osmani said it is as a symbol of the continuation of President Rugova's tradition and heritage, which” established the solid foundations of Kosovo's citizenship and permanent friendship with the US”.

For his role in Kosovo and for former President Rugova, Hovenier himself spoke a little earlier in the day after visiting his September summit with Osman. I came to this country almost exactly three years ago, in early January 2002. I handed over my credentials to the President, and my first public official act was to join the President to place a crown here at the statue of former President Rugova. And I found it very appropriate that my last official act as US ambassador to Kosovo was to close this cycle by doing the same”.

Hüvenier said he knew Rugova when he was “junior diplomacy”. “I had the pleasure of knowing him as a very young diplomat at the time, and I respected him very much. So I'm very proud and honored to do this honor as my last official act of”.

Horvenier at the last official event for him in Kosovo thanked the people of Kosovo. “It has been the task of my dreams to serve as US Ambassador here for three years and to have this opportunity to work with the people of Kosovo to help advance the country”.