The lobbying association “Albanians For America” has issued a strong statement of support following the U.S. State Department’s notification to Congress regarding a $14 million+ military export license for Kosovo.
According to the association, this move represents a “clear message of trust” from the United States toward Kosovo and its security institutions.
Institutional Seriousness and Bipartisan Support
The association emphasized that the referral of this defense package to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee is a testament to the institutional seriousness with which Washington treats Kosovo’s security.
- Bipartisan Consensus: The group noted that Kosovo remains one of the few issues in Washington that enjoys strong support from both the Democratic and Republican parties.
- Strategic Pillar: “America’s support for Kosovo remains one of the most important pillars of peace, stability, and democracy in the region,” the statement read.
A Legacy of Modernization
“Albanians For America” highlighted that this latest $14 million deal is part of a long-standing tradition of American assistance in modernizing the Kosovo Security Force (KSF). They cited previous successful deliveries of:
- Humvee military vehicles.
- ASV (Armored Security Vehicles).
- Advanced UAV/Drone systems.
- Modern defense systems essential for NATO interoperability.
From Security Consumer to Security Provider
The association pointed to the KSF’s evolving international role as a reason for increased American confidence.
- International Missions: The KSF’s participation in global missions proves its transition into a professional military force.
- Gaza Deployment: The ongoing preparations for the KSF to participate in the International Stabilization Force in Gaza were lauded as evidence of Kosovo’s active role alongside international allies.
Gratitude to U.S. Institutions
The statement expressed deep gratitude to several key American entities:
- The U.S. State Department for facilitating the export licenses.
- The U.S. Congress for its consistent legislative support.
- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee for its oversight and advocacy for Balkan stability.
About “Albanians For America”
The organization describes itself as a national effort led by Albanian-Americans. Its primary goal is to build and maintain bipartisan consensus in Congress to protect the freedoms and security of all Albanians in the Balkans, ensuring that Kosovo’s sovereignty and Euro-Atlantic journey remain a priority for U.S. foreign policy.
