Gjakovë/Djakovica, April 16. Today, USAID Mission Director Maureen A. Shauket and U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Jennifer Bachus joined the President of the Republic of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga, and Mayor of Gjakovë/Djakovica Mimoza Kusari-Lila to launch the celebration of the 15^th anniversary of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Kosovo [http://www.usaid.gov/kosovo/history].

“USAID through years has been and remains a friend for the people of Kosovo, a partner of Kosovo’s institutions, private sector and civil society, always with the aim of supporting establishment of the foundation of a state that guarantess development, wellbeing and security,” President Jahjaga told the crowd gathered in the Asim Vokshi Center in Gjakovë/Djakovica for the opening ceremony. Following the opening remarks, the President, Mission Director, DCM and Mayor toured booths hosted by beneficiaries from various USAID programs in the Gjakovë/Djakovica region.

Gjakovë/Djakovica is the first of many municipalities that will host day-long celebrations throughout the summer to honor USAID’s 15 years of partnering with the people of Kosovo for positive change. The day also featured a roundtable discussion at the Gjakovë/Djakovica Basic Court on the importance of partnership between the justice and law enforcement sectors in protecting citizens’ rights.

“USAID will continue to support you and encourage dialogues such as these so that all human rights defenders - law enforcement, the courts, and civil society - will strengthen their key roles in the formation of a deeply-rooted human rights culture in Kosovo," the Mission Director

told members of the roundtable, which also included Gjakovë/Djakovica Basic Court President Vaton Durguti, Kosovo Judicial Council Chair Enver Peci, Chairperson, Gjakovë/Djakovica Chief Prosecutor Shpresa Bakija, Gjakovë/Djakovica Police Station Commander Krist Gjokaj, and Regional Chamber of Advocates representative Teki Bokshi. “Police, judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys all have important roles to play in upholding the country’s legal framework and ensuring justice is accessible to all of Kosovo’s citizens.”

In the afternoon, the USAID Mission Director visited youth

from Gjakovë/Djakovica’s Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian community at Community Center Bërrkoc, which receives support from USAID through the Advocacy and Resource Training Center. The Mission Director also attended the inauguration of a Cottage Cheese Unit that USAID donated to the Korenica Women’s Association Milk Collective.

The U.S. Agency for International Development is leading the U.S. Government's efforts to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies.