Fatmir Mediu, a member of the Kosovo Parliament, held a series of meetings at the U.S. Department of State and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, emphasizing the need to increase defense spending to 5% and to strengthen NATO.
He warned of the risks associated with reducing NATO’s presence in KFOR at a time when Russian and Chinese influence in the Balkans is rising. Mediu stated that during the meeting at the State Department, which was attended by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Asia Brendan Hanrahan, the position of President Donald Trump was presented, focusing on increasing defense spending as a necessity for NATO.
He also stressed that he requested greater U.S. engagement in the Balkans, citing the threat posed by Serbia to Kosovo and the growing economic presence of China in Albania, which, according to him, could undermine national security and that of partner countries.
“In my discussion, I emphasized the need to unify control policies in Albania and the Balkan countries, not only through laws regulating defense investments but also through implementation and evaluation capacity to prevent penetration by hostile states such as China and Russia. It is now well known that China has increased its economic presence in Albania, which could seriously threaten national security as well as the security of our partners,” Mediu stated.
Full statement:
Washington D.C., U.S. Department of State
Committee on Defense, NATO Parliamentary Assembly
The first meeting was held at the State Department, where Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Asia, Mr. Brendan Hanrahan, presented the U.S. and President Trump’s position on strengthening NATO.
Firstly, increasing defense spending to 5% is a vital necessity for the Alliance and security.
Secondly, building strong support for this spending from the defense industry, its rapid development, and the need for Europe to develop a defense industry that guarantees high operational levels and interoperability while moving away from protectionist policies that undermine cooperation and Alliance strengthening. He reiterated Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statement that the U.S. wants a strong Europe.
During the discussion, I asked Assistant Secretary Hanrahan about U.S. engagement in the Balkans for cooperation on joint NATO and partner country spending to increase political cooperation, military deterrence, and American investments in the region.
I also raised concerns regarding a group of U.S. Congress members addressing Secretary Rubio about reducing military presence in KFOR, while Serbia has not only increased its military spending but also has support from Russia and China, as was the case with the recent purchase of entirely offensive missiles.
Additionally, Deputy/Assistant Secretary of State for Defense Trade Control, Mr. Michael Vaccarro, presented the full U.S. commitment to defense exchanges and trade and emphasized the importance of a shared understanding among NATO countries.
In my discussion, I again emphasized the need to unify control policies in Albania and the Balkan countries, not only through laws regulating defense investments but also through implementation and evaluation capacity to prevent penetration by hostile states such as China and Russia. It is now well known that China has increased its economic presence in Albania, which could seriously threaten national security as well as the security of partner countries.
