Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has received a letter from U.S. Congressman Michael Lawler, who urged Kosovo’s political actors to return to good-faith negotiations and reach the consensus needed to elect a new president and avoid another parliamentary election.
Lawler, a Republican member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee and chairman of its Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, congratulated Kurti on beginning his new government mandate. His current congressional positions are also confirmed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
In the letter, Lawler emphasized what he described as the importance of political cooperation and institutional stability, particularly in light of the recent verdict by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.
“Especially in light of last week’s verdict in The Hague, there is no more important moment for Kosovo’s national unity than now,” Lawler wrote, according to the statement released by Kurti’s office.
“I urge you to work to ensure that all political actors return to negotiations in good faith and find the necessary consensus to elect the president,” he added.
Lawler Reaffirms Support for Kosovo’s NATO Membership
Lawler also reiterated his support for Kosovo’s membership in NATO, describing such a step as important for Kosovo’s long-term security and for maintaining peace across the Western Balkans.
He said Kosovo was moving toward what he described as a strong democracy, solid economic growth and shared prosperity, while stressing that government stability was essential.
“I hope that your country will successfully elect a new president in the coming weeks, in order to prevent another round of parliamentary elections — for the fourth time in less than two years,” Lawler wrote.
Lawler also stressed the importance of national unity and cooperation among Kosovo’s political parties following the September 16 verdict by the Specialist Chambers in The Hague.
He further highlighted the need for institutional stability so that Kosovo can focus on its key priorities, including strengthening its close partnership with the United States.
Kurti met Lawler in New York in September during his visit for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. During that meeting, Kurti thanked the congressman for joining the Congressional Albanian Issues Caucus and for co-sponsoring a House resolution supporting Kosovo’s integration into NATO.
