New York, 20 September, 2026
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, accompanied by his delegation, held a meeting in Connecticut with American and Albanian investors, as well as a working dinner in New York with activists and prominent figures from the Albanian-American community, during his visit for the High-Level Week of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The first meeting took place in Westchester at the residence of Richard Lukaj—an event organized in collaboration with Data4X and Ed and Barbara Hammel. Attendees included American investors and politicians—such as Luke Bronin, the former Mayor of Hartford—as well as members of the Albanian-American diaspora.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Kurti thanked the United States of America for its role in Kosovo’s freedom and state-building. He emphasized that the friendship between the two nations is strong in both political and emotional terms, adding that this bond should be further deepened in the economic sphere.
The Prime Minister discussed the country’s economic development and employment, as well as the removal of all customs duties on goods from the United States—effective August 1 of last year—and expressed readiness for a trade agreement between the two countries. He also mentioned the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact in the energy sector.
Welcoming them as partners, Prime Minister Kurti thanked the diaspora for their continued support and invited them to invest in their homeland.
Following the meeting in Westchester, Manhattan, Prime Minister Kurti and the delegation from the Republic of Kosovo attended a working dinner with prominent activists and figures from the Albanian-American community, hosted by long-time activist Bruno Selimaj.
The evening began with a special artistic program performed by the “Kanga Jonë” children’s choir and orchestra, under the direction of Blerina Selimaj. With the interpretation of the songs “Lule Bore”, “Globi” and “Moj e Bukura Shqipëria”, the children brought the Albanian language, culture and song to the heart of Manhattan.
Discussions highlighted the indispensable role the Albanian diaspora in the U.S. has played for Kosovo over the decades, as well as opportunities for even greater engagement in areas such as investment, public diplomacy, culture, and education, and the further strengthening of relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the United States of America.
Prime Minister Kurti thanked Bruno Selimaj for his warm hospitality and his significant contributions to Kosovo and the Albanian cause. He also noted the special symbolism of this half-century-long journey, recalling that the Selimaj family’s involvement in New York’s culinary scene began in 1978—the very year Albanians were commemorating the centennial of the League of Prizren. He also expressed gratitude for the contribution of generations of Albanian-Americans who, through their work, organization, and dedication, have kept the bond with their homeland alive and helped strengthen relations between Kosovo and the United States of America.
