As I said, the story of Kosovo is a story of success, but this is a common joint achievement of Kosovo's international community. We are consolidated internally and also on the international stage.
I also said that we don't only have partners and supporters; we also have opponents of our independence. Any obstacles in further international consolidation, I believe, will be overcome by working together with international partners, including Canada.
Canada has given support for our democratic transition, for freedom, and just as you don't forget the day when we declared independence, for me, the support we've received from international countries in this aspiration, including Canada, is also unforgettable. Canada is recognized in Kosovo. Its role is recognized by all sides in Kosovo. What I believe we can do further is deepen our bilateral co-operation, be it in the economy, diplomacy, defence and security, or education, through the common values and common principles that we share.
I'm very proud that a lot of Kosovars are in Canada. They serve as a bridge that links our two nations together. They and their families bring Canadian experience to Kosovo society and to Kosovo institutions. Please see Kosovo and view Kosovo as your strategic partner globally, and this will always be like this.
Today Kosovo is more pro-NATO than even some NATO member states. Even though there's a lot of criticism toward the EU because of their delay in reaching out to the Balkans, nevertheless more than 90% of Kosovars are in favour of EU membership, not to mention their pro-American attitude. They are very pro-American citizens. Their aspiration is western values, western principles.
Delays in integration are the challenges and the issues we are discussing with all our partners. A month ago I discussed this in Washington with Mr. Pence in the White House. We discuss this with our counterparts in the European Union.
Let me say very openly, as a friend among friends, what my main concern is. My main concern—and I'm not concerned only about Kosovo, but about the whole of the western Balkans and southeastern Europe—is that NATO and the EU should not be late with enlarging and integrating the western Balkans. We were all happy about Montenegro's membership in NATO, because it was a strong message for the whole western Balkans. Any delays by NATO, by the EU, leave a vacuum that is being used by Russia and other anti-western ideologies.
Russia is very influential today, certainly in Serbia. It is influential in their economy, their media, their military, their intelligence service, in their political competition, in all segments of life. They are influential in other parts where there are Serbian communities, particularly in Bosnia. They tried to influence Montenegro and to prevent further reforms. Even though they are losing their rhythm, they have not given up attempts to destabilize Montenegro.
They will not be able to penetrate and exercise such influence in Kosovo, of course, but there's always Sputnik there in Russia today, which is immediately translated in the media around the world, including Kosovo media. It includes fake news about Kosovo, about the Kosovo leaders, and about the western Balkans. Delays by NATO and the EU are also used by extremist elements and radicalists, be it radical Islam or fundamentalism or others.
Kosovo was determined to fight these elements, to fight terrorism, and I'm very proud. I feel very good that we have received the highest praise all the way to the level of President Obama, and his vice-president in the past, and now by President Trump and Vice President Pence, and we will continue fighting extremism and terrorism without any compromise.
We have the necessary experience. We have built the necessary legislation. Now institutions of the rule of law are functioning in fighting these phenomena.
We've identified all the individuals who are in Syria and Iraq who went to join ISIS. Of course, we have to be rational and remain determined to continue this fight, especially in case they return to Kosovo, and to find ways for how to deal with them and also with their families. This is an issue that we've discussed both in Pristina and with our partners and allies in the global coalition against terrorism. Kosovo, a country that needed peace, today has the capacity to export peace and to support peace around the world. This is why we need to be a member of international organizations as soon as possible.