Ambassador Jacobson’s statement after presenting credentials to President Jahjaga, August 16, 2012

August 16, 2012

Ambassador Jacobson and President Jahjaga.

[speaking in Albanian and Serbian]

Good morning everyone.  I want thank President Jahjaga and her staff for their warm welcome.

I’m proud to be able to represent President Obama and the United States of America here in Kosovo.  And the United States of America is proud to call Kosovo its friend.

[continues in English]

Thank you very much.  It’s a real pleasure for me to be here.  Today’s official ceremony is a small illustration of the tremendous progress that Kosovo has made during the time of its independence. 

In the short time that I have been here, I have already felt a very positive impression of the rich diversity and beauty of this country.  I look forward to many conversations with a wide-range of political, business, and civil society groups during my time here. 

I am confident that working in partnership, Kosovo’s leaders can advance the rule of law, and build a strong foundation for a stable, prosperous and democratic future. 

It’s been both a pleasure and an honor for me to participate in this ceremony today, which marks the official start of my relationship with the Government of Kosovo. 

And I am very much looking forward now to getting to work.  Thank you very much.