During a congressional hearing, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Kosovo’s potential membership in NATO is not currently on the agenda of member states.
The discussion was initiated by Congressman Keith Self, who used his time as Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe to advocate for Kosovo’s NATO membership and underline the importance of continued U.S. engagement in the Western Balkans.
Self, referring to his recent visit to Kosovo, the Preševo Valley, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, described the region as “extremely fragile” and stressed that Kosovo’s integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions remains essential for long-term regional stability.
He also welcomed the recent appointment of U.S. ambassadors to several countries in the region, while emphasizing the importance of naming a U.S. ambassador to Kosovo as well.
Secretary Rubio reaffirmed that the United States remains committed to the Western Balkans and focused on preventing conflict and instability in the region, without indicating any immediate change regarding Kosovo’s NATO accession prospects.
Self continues to be one of the most vocal supporters in Congress for strengthening ties between the United States, Kosovo, and Albanian-American communities.
