Three US congressmen, Keith Self, Ritchie Torres and Mike Lawler, have introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to support Kosovo's membership in NATO, arguing that its presence in the alliance is essential for protecting the national security interests of the United States in Southeast Europe.
The resolution, introduced on April 30 with bipartisan support, underlines that Kosovo's democratic governance, civilian control over security forces, and multiethnic coexistence constitute a compelling argument for its membership in NATO.
"Furthermore, as opposing forces continue to destabilize the region, Kosovo's inclusion in the NATO alliance would serve as a necessary counterweight to deter these hostile efforts and prevent another global catastrophe in the Balkans," the resolution states.
NATO membership has been among Kosovo's long-standing goals since it declared independence in 2008.
However, membership requires unanimity from all member states, and Kosovo is not recognized by four of them.
Therefore, Self, as the initiator of the resolution, asked the United States to urge Greece, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain to recognize Kosovo's independence.
Self said that "broader recognition of Kosovo is essential to pave the way for NATO integration and to close a strategic gap in Southeast Europe that adversaries seek to exploit."
He argued that Kosovo's inclusion in the alliance is essential to counter the growing influence of adversaries in Europe.
This resolution was welcomed by officials in Kosovo.
Acting President Albulena Haxhiu expressed "gratitude to representatives Keith Self, Ritchie Torres and Mike Lawler for their leadership and continued support for Kosovo to take its rightful place in the Euro-Atlantic family."
Kosovo's Ambassador to Washington, Ilir Dugolli, wrote in X that he feels grateful to the congressmen for their "unwavering support for Kosovo and its membership in NATO."
Kosovo considers friendship with the United States, a country that has done much in Kosovo's independence and state-building, to be essential.
Kosovo is now transforming the Security Force into a full army, which is expected to be completed in 2028.
The US has supported the transformation of the KSF into an army from the beginning, but not NATO, which insists that the KSF stick to its original tasks, such as crisis response or civil protection.
Pristina, during the process of transforming the KSF into an army, is also being equipped with new weapons, including those produced in the US. The country is also host to the largest American base in the Balkans, Bondsteel.
Likewise, Kosovo will also be part of the International Stabilization Force for Gaza.
The International Stabilization Force is a mechanism created as part of the Peace Board initiative, proposed by US President Donald Trump, to achieve world peace./REL
