The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, received today in a meeting US Senator Joni Ernst, whom she described as a proven friend of Kosovo and an important voice in support of the partnership between Kosovo and the United States of America.

According to Haxhiu, during the meeting, current political developments in Kosovo, security issues, as well as the importance of continuing close cooperation with the US were discussed.
In recognition of her commitment over the years, Haxhiu announced that he has decorated Senator Ernst with the Presidential Medal of Merit, for her contribution to strengthening the Kosovo-US partnership and supporting the development of Kosovo's defense capabilities.
"Kosovo will continue to build its future alongside the United States, strengthening a partnership that has special strategic and historical importance for our country," said Haxhiu.
The meeting comes at a time when Kosovo-US relations remain one of the main pillars of Kosovo's foreign and security policy.

On Tuesday, she also visited the headquarters of the NATO mission in Kosovo, KFOR, at Camp Film City in Pristina, where she was received by the mission commander, Ulutash.

KFOR announced the meeting, but did not provide details on the topics discussed.

The US Embassy in Pristina had announced Ernst's arrival in Kosovo a day earlier. According to the Embassy, ​​she participated in meetings at the US diplomatic headquarters and visited the Gracanica Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During the visit to Gracanica, Ernst also met with the Metropolitan of Raska and Prizren, Teodosije, according to a statement from the Diocese of Raska and Prizren of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The diocese said that Teodosije expressed concerns to the senator regarding the position of the Serbian community and the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo, as well as recent security developments.

According to her, the meeting also discussed the beginning of the gradual integration of Kosovo Police members into the KFOR security architecture in the Deçan Monastery, as well as the situation on the bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica.

KFOR announced on August 10 that it has begun the “gradual transition” of its permanent presence from the main bridge over the Ibar in Mitrovica, as well as the “gradual integration” of the Kosovo Police into KFOR’s security architecture in the Deçan Monastery.