Kosovo awards rule of law medal to Biden?s late son Beau

2/8/2021 6:20

        Kosovo on Sunday awarded a presidential medal on the rule of law to U.S. President Joe Biden’s late son Beau.
        
        In a ceremony held in front of the presidential office, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani handed over the medal to the U.S. Ambassador to Pristina, Philip S. Kosnett.
        
        Beau Biden was in the Balkan country 20 years ago to help establish the rule of law there as it became independent from Yugoslavia.
        
        In a pre-recorded speech, Biden described the medal as “incredible” and “a great honor to recognize the legacy of our son.”
        
        Beau Biden worked in Kosovo after the 1998-1999 war with the military forces and also with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
        
        Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, a decade after a 1998-1999 war with Serb forces.
        
        The war ended after a 78-day NATO air campaign drove Serb troops out and a peacekeeping force moved in.
        
        Most Western nations have recognized Kosovo, but Serbia and its allies Russia and China do not. Tensions over Kosovo remain a source of volatility in the Balkans.