AARC and Congressman Gregory Meeks discuss Kosovo, Albania and the Western Balkans

Representatives of the Albanian-American Relations Council (AARC) held a meeting with U.S. Congressman Gregory Meeks, focusing on developments in Kosovo, Albania and the Preshevo Valley, as well as U.S. policy toward the Western Balkans.

During the discussion, Meeks reaffirmed his support for Albania’s membership in the European Union and for deepening the strategic partnership between Tirana and the United States, AARC said.

Regarding Kosovo, the U.S. congressman underscored the need to maintain strong ties with the United States and supported its advancement toward Euro-Atlantic institutions. He also called on Serbia to change its stance toward Albanians and expressed support for guaranteeing Albanians in the Preshevo Valley the same rights afforded to Serbs in Kosovo.

Another issue addressed was strengthening the Albanian Issues Caucus in the U.S. Congress, while the possibility of a bipartisan congressional delegation visiting the Western Balkans was also discussed.

The parties also discussed the Specialist Chambers in The Hague. According to AARC, Meeks assessed that the proceedings should be reviewed and that greater attention should be paid to the possibility of releasing the four former KLA leaders.

AARC stated that the meeting was part of efforts to strengthen bipartisan cooperation in Washington and ties between the United States and the Albanians of the Western Balkans.