At the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo, a farewell reception was held for outgoing Ambassador Jeffrey Hovenier, with Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti in attendance. During the event, Kurti delivered a heartfelt speech, praising Ambassador Hovenier for his remarkable service and underscoring the strong and enduring relationship between Kosovo and the United States.
In his speech, Kurti described Hovenier as “a wonderful person” and emphasized that he will always remain in the hearts of the people of Kosovo. He reflected on the significant progress in Kosovo-U.S. relations during Hovenier’s tenure, noting that their collaboration spanned various sectors, particularly defense, security, intelligence, and energy.
“The time you’ve spent in Kosovo has been marked not only by your professionalism and integrity but also by your humanity and unwavering support for our people,” Kurti said, highlighting the deep bond between the two nations.
Kurti reiterated that the United States is Kosovo’s primary partner, a trusted ally, and a “special friend,” with a relationship that extends beyond mere diplomacy. He described the Kosovo-U.S. friendship as a “3D” connection, built on diplomacy, development, and defense cooperation.
“Ambassador, know that Kosovo will always be your home. We will be here to welcome you as a dear friend,” Kurti added, reinforcing the enduring ties between the two nations.
Ambassador Hovenier’s tenure in Kosovo has been instrumental in advancing bilateral relations, fostering collaboration on numerous fronts, and strengthening the overall partnership between the two countries.
