The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, during her visit to Washington, D.C., met with the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs at the State Department, Louis Bono.

In a statement to the media, the Presidency announced that the meeting focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between Kosovo and the United States, in line with the objectives of the Trump Administration, as well as advancing cooperation in key areas such as defense and economy.

During the meeting, President Osmani reaffirmed Kosovo’s commitment to working closely with the United States, deepening bilateral relations.

She emphasized the importance of strengthening regional security and the need for a strong preventive stance against ongoing threats from Russia, Serbia, and other hostile actors. In this context, President Osmani underlined the necessity of close cooperation to maintain stability and peace in the region.

Among other topics, President Osmani highlighted the importance of Kosovo’s integration into NATO, stating that beyond enhancing security in Kosovo and the region, this step aligns with U.S. strategic objectives for global peace and security. She confirmed that Kosovo has increased its defense budget to 2% of GDP and is in the process of further increasing it to meet NATO membership requirements.

Furthermore, President Osmani confirmed Kosovo’s readiness for active engagement in the Strategic Dialogue, which was offered to Kosovo earlier this year to address common challenges and priorities across various sectors.

Louis Bono was appointed by the Trump Administration as Acting Assistant Secretary of State on January 20, 2025.