Former U.S. president Bill Clinton visited Pristina on Nov. 1 and stated that Kosovo should be proud of everything it has achieved in the past ten years, expressing hope that it will soon become a part of the EU, NATO and other integrations.

"You have consolidated your democratic institutions, you have built up a civil society, proclaimed independence on Feb. 17, 2008, reinforced your security and democracy. You are a part of the International Monetary Fund, and I hope you will soon become a part of the EU and NATO," Clinton said at the extraordinary session of the Kosovo Assembly.

He added that "what can be done for the future should now be considered. You can create new partnerships with neighbors, and that is a great test for you," Clinton said.

In his speech, Clinton often referred to various examples of reconciliation between nations which live in areas that have experienced tragic conflicts in the past. He particularly emphasized the example of Rwanda.

"If there is something I can do in the future to help you, Albanians, Serbs and others, you can count on me," Clinton underlined.

Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu, Premier Hashim Thaci, and Parliament Speaker Jakup Krasniqi thanked Clinton on his engagement for "Kosovo's freedom."

Afterwards, Clinton attended a presentation of a monument dedicated to him.

"I want to assure you that President (Barack) Obama, State Secretary (Hillary) Clinton and the entire American people will stand by you in the future," Clinton said, addressing the citizens who attended the ceremony.

The statue was posted in Bill Clinton's Boulevard, while several thousands of citizens waving the U.S. and Kosovo flags attended the ceremony.

The statue is three meters tall, made of bronze, and weighs 900 kilos.

This is Bill Clinton's third visit to Kosovo since 1999, and the first since Kosovo proclaimed its independence in Feb. 2008.