U.S. Congress members Mike Turner (Republican) and Donald Norcross (Democrat) held separate meetings with Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani and Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, discussing ways to deepen cooperation between the two countries.
President Osmani told the media that both congress members have been long-time supporters of Kosovo.
“As contributors to regional peace, their visit involves nearly the entire region, focusing on ways to continue cooperation for peace and stability. We discussed bilateral cooperation between Kosovo and the U.S., developments in the security and defense sector, Kosovo’s alignment with NATO, security challenges we face, and how we can coordinate more closely with the U.S. to ensure the successful integration of the Serbian community in Kosovo,” Osmani said.
Responding to a question about former U.S. envoy Philip Reeker’s statement urging Kosovo to have a government that cooperates with the U.S., Osmani emphasized:
“Kosovo has never had, and will never have, an anti-American government. Kosovo has one of the most pro-American populations in the world, and every government comes from this population. While governments may have different methods and strategies, the commitment to partnership with the U.S. remains consistent.”
She described the United States as an existential partner for Kosovo, vital for development, protection of freedom and independence, and addressing security challenges.
Acting Prime Minister Kurti highlighted Kosovo’s recent military procurements, including Bayraktar drones from Turkey purchased in 2023, and noted that U.S. military support has included drones, armored vehicles, and orders for Javelin anti-tank systems. He also underscored the significance of the Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA), which enhances secure information sharing and interoperability between Kosovo and U.S. forces.
“Alongside defense investments, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Kosovo’s steadfast euro-Atlantic orientation and its goal of NATO and EU membership—not only as a beneficiary of the security umbrella but also as a contributor to peace and security in Europe,” stated Kurti’s office.
Discussions also covered potential collaboration in energy, technology, and other infrastructure projects, including initiatives in rail transport.
The visit by the U.S. congress members is part of a regional tour, which included Serbia the previous day, where they met with President Aleksandar Vučić.
