Kurti and Congressman Joe Wilson discuss strengthening the Kosovo-U.S. partnership in New York

Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that during his stay in New York, he met with U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson. The meeting focused on expanding cooperation between Kosovo and the United States.

The meeting took place during the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Wilson is co-chair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees.

Kurti stressed that the United States remains Kosovo’s most important ally, while the partnership with Washington is essential to the country’s security, development and Euro-Atlantic perspective.

According to Kurti, the meeting addressed issues related to security and defense, investment and the rule of law. The two sides also discussed Kosovo’s goal of joining NATO, strengthening cooperation with the United States, and the partnership between the Kosovo Security Force and the Iowa National Guard, which has continued since 2011. Kurti said that Kosovo had transformed from a consumer into a contributor to international security.

Part of the discussion focused on the security situation in the Western Balkans, preserving the region’s Euro-Atlantic orientation and Kosovo’s participation in international organizations. With Wilson, who is also active in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, they also discussed Kosovo’s goal of advancing toward full participation in the OSCE.

Kurti said particular attention was paid to issues affecting Albanians in Presheva, Bujanoc and Medvegja, including their inadequate representation in public institutions, the police, the judiciary and healthcare. The meeting also addressed the deactivation of addresses, obstacles to education in the Albanian language and the non-recognition of diplomas obtained in Kosovo.

Accompanied by Shaip Kamberi, a member of parliament from Bujanoc, and Ardita Sinani, mayor of the Municipality of Presheva, Kurti called for the rights of Albanians in the Presheva Valley to be protected by the Helsinki Commission and for their violations to be addressed in communications with Belgrade.

At the conclusion, the prime minister thanked Congressman Wilson for his support for Kosovo and his commitment to security, democracy and human rights in the region. He also invited the U.S. congressman to visit the Republic of Kosovo again, together with a delegation from the U.S. Congress.