The leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Lumir Abdixhiku, held a farewell meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, whose mandate has now concluded. Abdixhiku expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Hovenier for his commitment and dedication during his tenure as the U.S. Ambassador, particularly during the years following Kosovo’s declaration of independence.
Abdixhiku emphasized that Hovenier was a deep understanding of Kosovo, a strong representative of U.S. strategic interests in Kosovo, and a devoted steward of the relationship between the two nations.
“I thanked him for all of his efforts and commitment, not only as an ambassador but also as the U.S. representative during the years of Kosovo’s declaration of independence. Jeff has been a great connoisseur of Kosovo, a strong advocate for U.S. interests here, and, above all, a dedicated guardian of the relations between our two peoples,” said Abdixhiku.
Abdixhiku also shared that he gifted six jerseys of Kosovo’s national football team to Hovenier’s six granddaughters and his grandson, noting that Hovenier was a passionate supporter of Kosovo’s football team.
“Jeff has always been passionate about Kosovo’s football. We have watched many of Kosovo’s national team matches together. In LDK, we made sure that as a grandfather of six granddaughters and one grandson—Charlotte, Oliver, Lucie, Jacqueline, Katherine, Madeline, and Amelia—he would take home jerseys of our national team with their names on them. I hope they will keep them as a permanent memory from the last country where Jeff served as an ambassador.”
Finally, Abdixhiku expressed his expectation to continue the strong and historic cooperation with the new U.S. Ambassador under the new administration.
“LDK looks forward to continuing our close and historic cooperation with the new U.S. Ambassador in the new administration. Our relationship is ideological, institutional, and long-lasting—35 years strong!”
