The Albanian American Relations Council (AARC) has met with US Congressman Gregory Meeks to discuss Kosovo, Albania and developments across the Western Balkans.
According to the council, the meeting reaffirmed the importance of strategic relations between the United States and Albania, as well as support for Tirana’s European integration.
Regarding Kosovo, Meeks emphasized the importance of maintaining strong ties with the United States and advancing the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration.
He also highlighted the need for Serbia to change its approach toward Albanians in Serbia, calling for the rights of Albanians in the Preševo Valley to be respected.
The meeting also addressed efforts to strengthen the Albanian Issues Caucus in the US Congress and increase Washington’s attention to the region.
Another topic was the possibility of organizing a bipartisan US congressional delegation visit to the Western Balkans.
Meeks recalled his engagement with Kosovo dating back to the administration of President Bill Clinton and US efforts to stop ethnic cleansing.
The parties also discussed the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. Meeks expressed the view that the proceedings should be reconsidered and that an outcome potentially leading to the release of the four former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders should be considered.
The meeting was held as part of AARC’s efforts to strengthen cooperation with US political representatives and advance Albanian issues in Washington.
