Prishtina, 24 November 2025
Today, the Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, accompanied by the Acting Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Liza Gashi, welcomed a delegation of the United States of America composed of Republican Congressman Mike Turner and Democratic Congressman Donald Norcross. Both congressmen serve in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and in the House Armed Services Committee, and have played an important role in the U.S. military engagement related to NATO and beyond.
The central focus of the discussions was the strengthening of Kosovo–U.S. relations, with particular emphasis on the field of defense. The Prime Minister informed that in the past four years, more than 1,000 members of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) have taken part in training within U.S. military programs, including military education at West Point and the U.S. Army War College. Likewise, Kosovo has hosted three consecutive editions of the military exercises Defender Europe. In the most recent edition, Defender Europe 2025, the Command of the 28th Infantry Division of the United States Army was stationed at our military airport in Gjakova, from where it directed all brigades operating in Southeastern Europe.
With regard to investments in defense and the strengthening of capabilities, the Prime Minister highlighted the procurement of U.S. military equipment, including Javelin anti-tank systems, as well as the fact that Kosovo has also signed the Classified Information Protection Agreement and CISMOA, becoming the 33rd country in the world to obtain this trusted status. Alongside its defense investments, the Prime Minister affirmed that Kosovo remains unwavering in its Euro-Atlantic orientation and its aspiration for membership in NATO and the EU—not only as a beneficiary of the security umbrella, but also as a contributor to peace and security on the European continent.
The meeting also addressed possibilities for cooperation in the economic sphere, especially in the fields of energy and technology, as well as in major infrastructure projects planned for implementation, including those in railway transport. The Prime Minister also emphasized the economic and democratic progress achieved in recent years, as reflected in reports by international organizations, stressing that Kosovo continues to demonstrate that democratic advancement and economic growth can move forward hand in hand.
He expressed the gratitude of the people of Kosovo and his own appreciation for the historic contribution, active role, and continuous support of the United States of America for the state of Kosovo.
