Congressman Self: Refusal of some NATO member states to recognize Kosovo undermines stability in the Balkans

Congressman Self: Refusal of some NATO member states to recognize Kosovo undermines stability in the Balkans

The “Albanians for America” ​​website reports that today during a hearing on Foreign Affairs, Congressman Keith Self made two powerful statements during a closing session of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, reaffirming the strategic importance of Kosovo to NATO, regional stability, and US national interests in the Western Balkans.

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe, Congressman Self described Kosovo as “one of the United States’ closest and most loyal European partners” and warned that the continued refusal by some NATO members to recognize Kosovo undermines long-term stability in the Balkans and strengthens the influence of adversaries like Russia.

Referring to his role in planning the 1999 NATO intervention against Serbian ethnic cleansing, he stressed that Kosovo has demonstrated a clear commitment to democracy, regional security and multiethnic coexistence, presenting a compelling argument for NATO membership.

In a special speech honoring Eliot Engel, Congressman Self declared that Eliot Engel remains “a hero in Kosovo” and argued that Engel understood Kosovo’s critical role as a “crux of stability in the Western Balkans.” He also noted the contradiction of praising Kosovo’s strongest allies in Washington while failing to fully support Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration and long-term security.

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