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Vann and Zeneli listen to Jahjaga during their meeting Dec. 12. Ilir Salihu, the president's chief of staff (far right), also attended the meeting and has attended Marshall Center events in the past. (Courtesy Photo/RELEASED)

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany -- Two faculty members of the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies met with the president of Kosovo to discuss a wide range of issues Dec. 12.

Joseph Vann and Dr. Valbona Zeneli, faculty members of the Marshall Center, spoke with the President Atifete Jahjaga. The president invited them to her office in the presidential compound in Pristina, Kosovo.

Vann said Jahjaga expressed her deepest appreciation for the continuing support provided by the Marshall Center. A Marshall Center distinguished alumni, the president specifically cited the benefits that Kosovo-government participants receive attending Marshall Center resident, nonresident and alumni events.

Jahjaga also provided a "thank you" letter for Marshall Center Director Keith W. Dayton. Her letter thanked him for the Marshall Center’s support for the International Woman’s Summit in Pristina in October.

Turning her attention to the recent "Countering Corruption in Government Procurement" conference, Vann said Jahjaga stressed that countering corruption and organized crime were serious issues affecting her colleagues in the Balkan states.

"President Jahjaga was very thankful that the Marshall Center conducted this conference and stated she would welcome follow-on support from the Marshall Center to help in addressing this serious challenge," Vann, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service chair at the Marshall Center, said.