U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton -- speaking at a Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo today (October 31, 2012) -- urged ethnic Serbs who have left the country to return and help shape the life of Europe's youngest nation, according to the Christian Post website.
"The United States is firmly committed to Kosovo's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to seeing the rule of law extends throughout Kosovo," Clinton said. "We oppose any discussion of territory changes or reopening Kosovo's independent status. These matters are not up for discussion," she added.
Kosovo -- which declared itself an independent nation after it seceded from Serbia in 2008 -- is still facing many challenges as it is growing as a country. The U.S. is hoping that Kosovo will become a member of the international military organization NATO and help bring stability to the Balkan region, but the young country faces many hurdles.
Clinton greeted minority Serbians at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Pristina -- the capital of Kosovo -- welcoming them back to the country and urging them to stay and fight for a better future. She also met the second-highest ranking Serbian Orthodox official in Kosovo at the church, as well as a local parish priest, and two ethnic Serb ministers in Kosovo's government.
Serbia still refuses to recognize Kosovo as an independent nation -- and says it never will.
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