At the signing ceremony at the Oval Office, President Vucic asked to speak. He said Trump had done a “great job” and praised his commitment to the region. He invited him to visit Serbia, said he’d be the first US president since Jimmy Carter.
The pool was ushered into the Oval Office at 11:35. Kosovo’s PM was on Trump’s right and the president of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic was seated on his left, both at small desks.
“Serbia and Kosovo have each committed to economic normalization” Trump announced. Trump also said he was making progress on peace in the Middle East and several countries he did not name. He said he looked forward to visiting their countries.
Pence, Kushner, Sen Ron Johnson, ambassador Grenell, and others were standing behind the president as they signed the agreement.
Officials said they hope the economic normalization will lead to a political normalization. “Let’s give them a little taste of the Trump economy,” Grenell said.
“It took decades because you didn’t have anybody trying to get it done,” Trump said of the Serbia-Kosovo agreement. “There was a lot of fighting and now there’s a lot of love.” He credited Grenell for bringing the nations together. “Economics can bring people together.”
President Vucic asked to speak. He said Trump had done a “great job” and praised his commitment to the region. Invited him to visit Serbia, said he’d be the first US president since Jimmy Carter.
PM Hoti praised this as a huge step forward.
VP Pence congratulated both leaders and praised Trump’s “commitment to peace.”
Trump also thanked Johnson, saying there are many people from Serbia and Kosovo in Wisconsin. Johnson said people from those countries are “fantastic hosts.” “This is a big day for stability in the Balkans,” he added.
Senator Ron Johnson from Wisconsin: This is really a historic day. This is a really big deal. People would see the benefit of an economic agreement. He congratulated the people of Kosovo and Serbia.
“You have a very good tennis player playing right now,” Trump said to president Vucic.