New York, 21 September 2026
As part of the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, met with U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson, Co-Chair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and a member of the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Armed Services.
Prime Minister Kurti emphasized that the United States of America is Kosovo’s most important ally and that this partnership remains fundamental to the security, development and Euro-Atlantic perspective of our Republic.
The meeting focused on deepening Kosovo-U.S. relations, with an emphasis on security and defence, investment and the rule of law. They also discussed the Republic of Kosovo’s goal of joining NATO, the continuation and advancement of cooperation with the United States, and the partnership between the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and the Iowa National Guard, which dates back to 2011. It was emphasized that Kosovo has transformed from a consumer into a contributor to international security.
Prime Minister Kurti and Congressman Wilson also discussed security in the Western Balkans, the importance of maintaining the region’s Euro-Atlantic orientation, and Kosovo’s participation in international organizations. With Congressman Wilson, who is also active in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Prime Minister Kurti discussed Kosovo’s aspiration to advance towards full participation in the OSCE.
Particular attention was paid to the underrepresentation of Albanians from Presheva, Bujanoc and Medvegja in public institutions, the police, the judiciary and healthcare; the deactivation of their registered addresses; obstacles to education in the Albanian language; and the non-recognition of diplomas obtained in Kosovo. Accompanied by Shaip Kamberi, Member of Parliament from Bujanoc, and Ardita Sinani, Mayor of the Municipality of Presheva, the Prime Minister called for the rights of Albanians in the Presheva Valley to be protected through the Helsinki Commission and for their violations to be addressed in communications with Belgrade.
Prime Minister Kurti thanked Congressman Wilson for his support for Kosovo and for his engagement on security, democracy and human rights issues in the region. He invited Congressman Wilson to visit the Republic of Kosovo again, together with a delegation from the U.S. Congress.
