Principle Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Charles E. Summers provided the following readout:
Deputy Secretary of Defense David L. Norquist met today with Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi in the Pentagon. The Deputy Secretary reaffirmed the strong relationship between the United States and Kosovo, our shared values, and Kosovo’s status as a sovereign independent nation. Deputy Secretary Norquist congratulated Kosovo on the first year of a 10-year transition plan for its Ministry of Defense and the Kosovo Security Force.
The Deputy Secretary noted Kosovo’s continued support to counter the efforts of Russia and China who continue their desired expansion of influence in the Western Balkans.
He also stressed the department’s encouragement for Kosovo to build on the momentum created through the efforts of Special Presidential Envoy Richard Grenell. Kosovo and Serbia must resume efforts aimed at comprehensive normalization of relations in order to ensure a stable and secure environment in the Western Balkans.