The Albanian-American community, through the organization Albanians for America, has sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump expressing their position on developments in the Western Balkans, with a special emphasis on the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.
In the letter addressed to Trump, the organization states that mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia is seen as the only viable solution for lasting peace in the region.
The letter further emphasizes that this idea was previously supported during Donald Trump’s first term, when his administration mediated meetings between Kosovo and Serbia.
Additionally, the letter highlights Trump’s efforts to prevent renewed conflict in the region, though it does not go into detail regarding the context or any specific response from the American side.
“We express our full support for the recent bipartisan calls for the immediate implementation of mutual recognition as the only path to achieving sustainable peace in this crucial part of Europe. This is a goal that you have supported on several occasions, including your latest efforts to halt Serbia’s continued hostilities and prevent renewed war in the region. It is also a goal that aligns directly with the strategic interests of the United States,” the letter states.
The Albanian-American community also expresses concern about the continuation of the status quo, which they argue is inherently destabilizing.
“Serbia’s ongoing refusal to align with American foreign policy and to recognize Kosovo’s sovereignty has encouraged repeated escalations—most notably acts of aggression by Serbia in 2023 and 2024, as well as recent attempts at escalation that you successfully prevented,” the letter continues.
The associations express gratitude for the United States’ role in Kosovo’s liberation and independence, stating that Kosovo’s statehood is a clear American victory.
“The people of Kosovo endured decades of systemic oppression, culminating in genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed by the Milošević regime. The international community, led by the United States, intervened to prevent the extermination of an entire population. Kosovo’s statehood is the result of historical legitimacy and humanitarian necessity.”
They go on to praise Kosovo’s alignment with American values and global partnerships:
“Kosovo remains the most pro-American nation in the world, evidenced by the fact that it is the only European country to have reached an agreement with the U.S. regarding third-country nationals and the first country globally to propose zero tariffs on American goods—a decision that came into effect last week. Its unwavering support for American leadership, values of freedom, and global partnerships is unmatched. Kosovo hosts a vital U.S./NATO military presence and has consistently aligned itself with U.S. foreign policy objectives.”
In contrast, the letter warns of Serbia’s increasingly hostile stance:
“On the other hand, Serbia continues to strengthen its alliances with America’s adversaries, particularly Russia, China, and Iran, thus undermining efforts for cohesive regional cooperation and threatening U.S. interests.”
The letter also acknowledges former President Trump’s crucial role in brokering the 2020 Washington Agreement—an agreement Serbia has since failed to implement.
“Unfortunately, Serbia has violated most of the agreement’s key components and failed to implement it. Today, you are uniquely positioned to ensure that the normalization process between Kosovo and Serbia reaches its rightful conclusion: mutual recognition within existing borders.”
The community respectfully urges President Trump to:
- Publicly reaffirm U.S. support for mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia as the foundation for sustainable peace.
- Encourage both countries to finalize recognition and commit to cooperation based on the principle of normalized relations.
- Support strong enforcement mechanisms to ensure full and timely implementation.
“The Albanian-American community—just as we have supported your return to the White House—is ready to back any effort that moves this prolonged stalemate toward a final solution. Thank you for your continued commitment to peace through strength and for your leadership on this vital issue,” concludes the letter signed by Albanian associations in America.
