“In my call today with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, I thanked the government and people of Kosovo for hosting at-risk Afghans,” the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said in a statement posted by him on Twitter on Monday.
Blinken said that he thanked PM Kurti and people of Kosovo for hosting at-risk Afghans recalling that many citizens of Kosovo once were refugees themselves.
The last exodus of Kosovo people happened when the late Serb dictator used his militaries to cleanse Kosovo of its people.
“Kosovo citizens, many once refugees themselves, have again demonstrated their willingness and capacity to contribute to global peace and security,” Blinken said.
Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti in a tweet said that he spoke over by phone with the US Secretary of State adding that Kosovo’s friendship with the US is growing stronger.
“Pleasure to speak with Secretary Blinken today. He expressed US President’s appreciation for our support and cooperation. Kosova is honored to offer a safe and secure environment for Afghan citizens during their transition. Our alliance w/ the US is unwavering, and our friendship is growing stronger,” Kurti said.
Kosovo has hosted around 700 US-affiliated Afghan refugees fleeing Afghanistan afte Taliban’s took the.power in Kabul following the US sudden withdrawal. Kosovo authorities have stated that they agreed to temporarily shelter around 2000 Afghans until the documentation for US immigration visas was arranged.
Albania has pledged to host 4000 Afghan refugees and a group of more than 700 have already arrived being accomodated in Tirana, Durres and Lezha. / argumentum.al
