Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani was asked by the American newspaper "Newsweek" whether she would nominate US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Osmani has said she would do it if she were president of Kosovo.
Osmani said that the American president has made a great contribution to peace in the Western Balkans, adding that he deserves the award.
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu has said that President Donald Trump deserves the next Nobel Peace Prize.
When asked by Newsweek on Wednesday if he would nominate Trump for this prestigious award, Osmani replied: "Of course, if I'm president [whenever these things happen]."
Only a few people can submit nominations for the annual Nobel Peace Prize, and nominations close at the end of January. Heads of state are among those who can submit a candidate, and the next winner will be announced in October.
Trump has long and publicly sought a Nobel Peace Prize, calling himself a “peacemaker in chief.” The Republican has claimed to have brokered agreements that end conflicts around the globe, though observers question how many wars he has actually stopped.
Osmani-Sadriu, speaking from the World Government Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, described the population of Kosovo as “the most pro-American people in the world” and “very, very grateful to every administration of the United States of America.”
The US led a 78-day NATO bombing campaign against Serbia in 1999, just a few years after the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. Former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic stripped the largely ethnic Albanian territory of Kosovo of its status as a self-governing province in 1989.
Armed soldiers of the Army liberation Kosovo Albanians clashed with Serbian forces for years, but the Kosovo War is officially classified as the bloodshed between 1998 and 1999.
A brutal crackdown by Belgrade resulted in a refugee crisis, what NATO has described as a “humanitarian catastrophe” and ethnic cleansing of Kosovo Albanians.
NATO began its bombing campaign in March 1999, immediately after the breakdown of months of peace talks in France and the massing of tens of thousands of troops near Kosovo by Milosevic.
NATO's Operation Allied Force involved 250 American aircraft, including seven B-52 strategic bombers and six B-2 heavy bombers. Both are capable of carrying long-range nuclear weapons as well as conventional munitions.
US-led forces from 14 countries later ceased airstrikes after Belgrade withdrew its forces from Kosovo. The UN created its Kosovo Peace Implementation Force (KFOR) and NATO sent peacekeepers to Kosovo, which at the time was facing retaliatory attacks against Serbs.
Kosovo declared independence in 2008 and is recognized by many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Albania. Serbia has not recognized its statehood, nor have Russia and China. Violent outbreaks between Kosovo and Serbia have continued intermittently in the years since.
"The United States of America gave us hope, along with partners like the United Kingdom and European countries," said Osmani-Sadriu.
The Kosovar leader said she had spoken with Trump four times in "brief" but "very meaningful" conversations.
Trump has given "a cone"t"extraordinary contribution" towards peace in the Western Balkans, Osmani-Sadriu said. "There is no doubt that he deserves [the Nobel Prize]."
"I know there are others who may have different opinions, but we see his contribution closely," she added.
"The United States of America gave us hope, along with partners like the United Kingdom and European countries," said Osmani-Sadriu.
leader Kosovo said he had spoken with Trump four times in "brief" but "very meaningful" conversations.
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