During his stay in New York for the High-Level Week of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met with U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson.
In a Facebook post, Kurti said the meeting focused on strengthening relations between Kosovo and the United States, with particular attention to security and defense, investment, and the rule of law.
“In New York, during the High-Level Week of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, I met with U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson, co-chair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees. The United States is our most important ally, and our partnership remains fundamental to the security, development and Euro-Atlantic future of our Republic.
“We discussed deepening Kosovo-U.S. relations, focusing on security and defense, investment, and the rule of law. We spoke about our goal of joining NATO, continuing and advancing cooperation with the United States, and the partnership between the Kosovo Security Force and the Iowa National Guard, which has existed since 2011. From being a consumer, Kosovo has become a contributor to international security.
“We also discussed security in the Western Balkans, the importance of preserving the region’s Euro-Atlantic orientation, and Kosovo’s participation in international organizations. With Congressman Wilson, who is also active in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, we discussed Kosovo’s aspiration to advance toward full participation in the OSCE.
“Particular attention was given to Albanians in Presheva, Bujanoc and Medvegja, including what I described as their underrepresentation in public institutions, the police, judiciary and healthcare, the passivization of addresses, obstacles to education in the Albanian language, and the non-recognition of diplomas obtained in Kosovo.
“Accompanied by MP from Bujanoc Shaip Kamberi and Mayor of Presheva Ardita Sinani, I called for the rights of Albanians in the Presheva Valley to be addressed by the Helsinki Commission and for their treatment to be raised in communications with Belgrade.
“I thanked Congressman Wilson for his support for Kosovo and his engagement on security, democracy and human rights issues in the region. I also invited him to visit the Republic of Kosovo again, together with a delegation from the U.S. Congress,” Kurti said.
