Last year, during my visit to New York for UNGA High-Level Week, I had the honor to be invited by the Albanian Professionals and Entrepreneurs Network (APEN) for a fireside chat with members of the Albanian diaspora in the tri-state area. One of the moderators of the event was Florida Hoxha, a young Albanian-American lawyer, a treasure of our diaspora, and a pillar of her community and profession.
It was with great sadness that I learned that Florida passed away last month in a tragic accident in Greece, along with her husband Ian Kirkpatrick, her brother Florin Hoxha, and Florin's wife Eris Cani, who was five months pregnant.
I only had a few hours to get to know Florida and others in the audience, including Florin and Eris. But even in that short time, the qualities that made Florida so beloved by her friends, colleagues, and clients were abundantly clear: her optimism and idealism, her respect for other people as equals, and her commitment to build sustainable bridges between members of the diaspora in the U.S. and the countries from which they and their families came.
Florida, Ian, Florin dhe Eris are no longer with us today. That is a great loss for all those touched by these four men and women — four young professionals who contributed so much in such a short time, and who were determined to contribute even more in bright futures cut short far too soon. My sincere condolences go out to their families and friends. And may the example that they set live on forever in our hearts and minds.
A pleasure to welcome U.S. @SenatorShaheen and @SenatorDurbin tonight to the Office of the Prime Minister. This marks Sen. Durbin's first visit to Kosova, as well as my seventh meeting with Sen. Shaheen.
I thanked both senators for their longstanding support for Kosova and for strengthening Kosova–U.S. relations. I also asked them for their support for Kosova's becoming a member of NATO, and for making Camp Bondsteel a permanent military base.
Despite threatening and inflammatory statements by high-ranking Serbian officials, Kosova continues to progress, with 5.4% and 4.1% economic growth in the first and second quarters of 2026 respectively, and a 5-fold increase in ICT service exports over the past five years. In a sign of Kosova's rapid technological and economic advancement, that sector now accounts for 6% of our GDP.
With the election of a new president and full institutional stability, our Government will embark on an ambitious set of justice reforms, including vetting for prosecutors and judges, and the establishment of the State Bureau for Verification and Confiscation of Unjustified Assets. Equally ambitious will be a series of upcoming infrastructure investments, including four railway lines, five dams, and 20 stadiums in preparation for the Prishtina 2030 Mediterranean Games.
From a country devastated by war to a democracy flourishing in peace, the Republic of Kosova is living proof of what transatlantic unity can achieve.
At @forum_2000 in Prague, I highlighted how transatlantic cooperation has helped safeguard peace and stability, even in the face of serious threats, including the terrorist attacks in Banjska and at the Ibër-Lepenc canal.
The resilience of our institutions, together with steadfast 🇺🇸-🇪🇺 cooperation, has enabled Kosova to continue progressing despite attempts to undermine our security.
Our experience demonstrates that transatlantic unity delivers tangible results, and why preserving it remains essential for the future of the Western Balkans.
Serbia’s renewed territorial ambitions against the Republic of Kosova were laid bare once again this week when its Deputy PM, Ivica Dacic, declared at an election rally that the Serbian flag would “sooner or later fly over Prizren”, a city in southern Kosova. Such rhetoric reveals that Belgrade’s territorial ambitions are far from a thing of the past.
Just two days later, Milan Radoicic, wanted by Interpol over the Banjska terrorist attack he organized, appeared alongside Danilo Vucic at Aleksandar Vucic’s party rally in Kragujevac, where Vucic once again threatened the independence of the Republic of Kosova.
These are not isolated provocations. They expose the continuity of a dangerous political doctrine: territorial expansionism in rhetoric, and impunity for armed aggression in practice.
Serbia cannot claim to pursue peace and European integration while its senior officials openly challenge the sovereignty of the Republic of Kosova and the admitted organizer of the deadly Banjska terrorist attack remains at liberty, appearing publicly alongside the president’s family instead of facing justice.
The international community must unequivocally condemn these actions and demand accountability. The sovereignty of the Republic of Kosova is not negotiable, and neither is justice for the Banjska terrorist attack.
Three years after the horrific terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023, the Republic of Kosova remembers the innocent lives that were taken and all those whose lives were forever changed by that day.
We reaffirm our unequivocal rejection of terrorism and antisemitism in all their forms, and our solidarity with the victims and their families.
On this anniversary, we stand with all those who continue to carry the pain of October 7 and reaffirm the fundamental right of the people of Israel to live in safety and free from terror.
🇽🇰 The Republic of Kosova has a new President.
H.E. Prof. Dr. Justina Shiroka Pula has been elected President of the Republic of Kosova, following a vote in the Assembly on October 6, 2026.
Congratulations, Madam President! 🇽🇰
It was an honor to meet President of the United States @realDonaldTrump for the first time during #UNGA81 High-Level Week. I thanked President Trump for his successful push for increased defense spending among the member states of NATO, which Kosova should join as well. The United States is a chief ally, indispensable partner, and special friend of the Republic of Kosova. 🇽🇰🤝🇺🇸
I strongly condemn the horrific attack aboard the flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv. The courage of the captain, crew and passengers prevented what could have been a devastating tragedy.
Violence against civilians and civil aviation must always meet unequivocal condemnation.
🇽🇰🇦🇱🇺🇸
Always special to be among our Albanian-American community in New York, whose patriotism and decades of commitment stand at the foundations of Kosova’s freedom and independence.
At the Albanian American Relations Council Gala, I stressed that the injustice surrounding the Specialist Chambers first instance judgement must be corrected and that the legitimacy of the KLA’s liberation struggle must be protected. At a time of major challenges, unity, institutional responsibility and national cohesion remain essential.
Grateful to AARC for bringing our community together and reaffirming the enduring bond between Albanians and the United States.
Falsehoods, distortions, and blatant gaslighting ran throughout the Serbian President’s UNGA speech.
Here is a short list of the most glaring examples 👇
Today, on the 3rd anniversary of the Banjska attack, we honor Police Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku, who gave his life defending the rule of law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Kosova.
Three years later, accountability remains essential. Those responsible must face justice.
Concluded the trip to New York with a working lunch with Western Balkan leaders, hosted by EU High Representative @kajakallas.
Kosova has demonstrated clear progress on reforms, with advancements in 35 areas, no backsliding in any, and no progress in only three. We also maintain full alignment with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy. This alignment is not simply symbolic, it reflects Kosova's clear strategic orientation and resilience against malign influence at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
Rising tensions in the region come from Russian proxies, authoritarian leaders, asymmetric minority community rights, and the failure to face past crimes committed during the war.
Now it is time for Kosova to be granted EU candidate status. Advancing the process would provide further impetus to reforms in the rule of law and public administration, the judiciary, and the fight against corruption. Kosova remains a devoted and unequivocally European partner, ready to contribute fully to our continent's shared future.
During my stay for UNGA81, I met with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski
@MickoskiHM of North Macedonia.
Following our recent meeting in Skopje/Shkup, we continued our discussion on infrastructure and energy cooperation, including the Prizren–Tetova tunnel, regional connectivity, energy security and economic investments.
Kosova and North Macedonia are neighbours, friends and partners, with a shared interest in peace, security, development and Euro-Atlantic integration.
A constructive exchange with 🇬🇲 FM Sering Modou Njie.
We discussed ways to broaden cooperation between the Republic of Kosova and The Gambia, strengthen political dialogue, and work more closely in international forums.
We appreciate 🇬🇲’s longstanding support for 🇽🇰 and look forward to bringing new momentum to our relations.
@GambiaMoFA
More than a thousand kilometers separate Kosova from Gaza, but responsibility for peace and security does not stop at borders.
At today’s high-level @BoardOfPeace briefing, 🇽🇰 stood among the countries supporting the International Stabilization Force for Gaza.
27 years after NATO’s intervention, 🇽🇰 is a success story: once a country in need of international support, today we contribute to global peace and security.
The Republic of Kosova stands ready to do its part.
At today’s U.S.-Adriatic Charter (A5) meeting, I thanked 🇭🇷 FM @grlicradman for Croatia’s chairmanship and called for a stronger A5 built on resilience, solidarity and accountability, with the Republic of Kosova as a full member.
In my intervention, I pointed to two concrete examples of why these principles matter for Kosova and for our region.
Tomorrow marks three years since the terrorist attack in Banjska, where Kosova Police Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku was killed. The criminals who carried out this attack remain free in Serbia. Banjska shows why accountability matters.
The 2024 attack on the Ibër-Lepenc canal, vital to 🇽🇰’s water and energy system, shows why resilience matters and why critical infrastructure must be protected from sabotage, cyber and hybrid threats.
Kosova confronted both attacks and prevailed.
These are not abstract risks for us. We face them directly, and we are ready to contribute directly to the regional response. Full A5 membership would allow Kosova to do exactly that.
The time has come for the A5 to become the A6.
Yesterday, during my stay in New York for the UNGA High-Level Week, I met with @WorldBankGroup President Ajay Banga.
I discussed with the World Bank President Kosova's extraordinary progress in recent years, its removal from the list of fragile and conflict-affected states, its transition from recipient to donor of the International Development Association, and its continuous economic growth.
I highlighted that, following a reduction in the unemployment rate from 26% to 10%, our new governing mandate will focus on increasing quality and higher-paying jobs, but also on increasing the participation of youth and women in the labor market. Our diaspora's remittances and savings should shift toward productive sectors in the economy.
On the other hand, President Banga presented his plan for supporting member states in the creation of higher-quality jobs through areas such as construction, productive agriculture, health, tourism, and manufacturing.
Pleased to meet with Congressman George Latimer (@RepGLatimer) in New York, who has been a strong and important voice for Kosova, particularly in support of its NATO accession.
We discussed a range of topics, including Kosova’s economic growth, its achievements in strengthening safety and security, and its growing recognition and engagement with international institutions. We also discussed the enduring partnership between Kosova and the United States, including our cooperation in defense and development.
Our conversation also focused on regional security, including concerns about the Russian support for destabilizing activities.
The United States is a cherished ally of Kosova, and we are deeply grateful for the strong bonds of friendship and bipartisan support we enjoy across both chambers of the U.S. Congress.
During the High-Level Week of #UNGA81 in New York, I met with 🇳🇱 FM Tom Berendsen (@ministerBZ).
A central part of our discussion was the recent first-instance judgment against the four KLA leaders, Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi.
I conveyed the profound dissatisfaction in Kosova over the judgment and the severe sentences imposed, and underlined our position that this represents a serious injustice that must be addressed through the appeals process.
We also discussed bilateral relations and other issues of shared interest.
Today in New York, I met with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas.
We discussed the third anniversary of Serbia’s aggression and the terrorist attack in Banjska, where Kosova Police Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku was killed. Milan Radoicic and the other members of the terrorist group must face justice in Kosova.
We also discussed the first-instance judgment of the Kosova Specialist Chambers, and I expressed my deep concern over the mono-ethnic character of the court’s approach, as well as the erroneous verdict and unjust sentences against former KLA leaders. The legal process is not over, and we will remain engaged to seek correction on appeal.
I asked for the EU’s active support in processing Kosova’s EU membership application, submitted on 15 December 2022, and for Kosova to receive candidate status.
Kosova has fulfilled important standards. Our European path must be based on merit, democracy, the rule of law and equal treatment.