Visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has pledged that she will act as "a strong advocate" of the Balkan countries at the European Union for their integration into the continental community.
She made the pledge during an interaction with with students, women leaders, and members of civil society at the National and University Library in Kosovo's capital Pristina.
She said although the United States does not have a vote in the European Union, "you will find a strong advocate in me, constantly telling my European colleagues and friends that they must continue to reach out (to the Balkans)."
The top US diplomat said she will be reporting to her European colleagues in Brussels "what I have seen in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Serbia and in Kosovo, and how strongly I personally - and as Secretary of State on behalf of my government - feel that the process of European integration is not complete without the Balkans."
She described it "as a process that we believe strongly is in Europe's interest and in the United States' interest."
Citing the examples of Croatia moving towards EU membership, and a possible invitation at the end of this month to Serbia to begin the process, she advised the Kosovars that "persistence pays off," and that "the more that Kosovo reforms, the more you are ready to stand in line" for European integration.
She said many of the reforms that Kosovo is undertaking - the upcoming election, how it's conducted - will get a lot of attention. It is an "opportunity for Kosovo to step up and claim your place among nations" she added.
She insisted that the election needs to be "as strong and transparent and free as possible with as much participation."
Washington has noted that Kosovo is moving forward on economic development, privatizing some of the inefficient state enterprises like electricity and telecommunications. "So on the democratic, constitutional, economic front, you're making progress and the United States stands ready to help you continue that progress."
She reminded the government of the need to make improvements in public services, including in the ares of education and healthcare.
Clinton assured that she will continue to work for even more nations to recognize Kosovo."
She called for reconciliation with the Serbian citizens in the north, and to hold a dialogue with Serbia. "There's a list, and I keep checking these things off the list that Kosovo has accomplished. And that strengthens the argument that someone like me can make to the European Union," Clinton added.
Earlier, during her meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, Clinton pledged the United States' continued support to the people and government of that country, and assistance in the upcoming elections.
Addressing a news conference at the National Assembly Building, she sent her greeting to the American troops serving at Camp Bondsteel to support stability in Kosovo and across the region.
While reiterating the United States' support to Kosovo's right to exist as a sovereign, independent state within its existing borders, Clinton said Washington welcomed the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) recent advisory opinion affirming Kosovo's legal right to declare independence.
She stressed the need for a dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo to resolve outstanding issues between the two neighboring countries.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008. Even though Russia and Serbia opposed Kosovo's secession, 70 countries, including the U.S. and most of the EU member-states, recognized its independence.
ICJ rejected in July the Serbian government's petition challenging the legality of the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo.
A tiny nation with a population of just over two million, Kosovo was accredited in June a membership of the World Bank, making it eligible for the international monetary agency's loans.
Before leaving for Brussels, Clinton met with acting President Krasniqi, her Kosovar counterpart Hyseni, and the newly-elected mayors of Serb-majority municipalities.
She visited one of Kosovo's cultural treasures, Gracanica Monastery, a Serbian Orthodox site dating back to the 14th century.
Clinton's four-day tour of the Balkans and Brussels concludes on Thursday.
In the Belgian capital, the administrative headquarters of the European Union, Clinton will participate in the NATO Foreign Ministers' conference.
Her itinerary also includes meetings with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton.
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