Engel: We will work to celebrate Kosovo's EU, NATO accession someday

Congressman Eliot Engel, a longtime supporter of the Albanian issue of Kosovo's independence, has met the Pan-Albanian Federation Vatra perhaps to be the first American congressional in 108 years to visit the House of Vatra.

American lawmaker Eliot L. Engel, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, which is also the cofounder, and co-chairman of «Group for Albanian Congress Affairs U.S. Congress Albanian Issus Cacus , accompanied by this visit by the renowned Harry Bajraktari founder and editor of the newspaper «Illyria» 1991-1998.

Engel was hosted by the new Chairman of Vatra Elmi Berisha, and the top directors of Vatra, who suspended a very warm reception, congratulating them with this occasion and welcoming them to the Vatra House.

The chairman of Vatra, Elmi Berisha, after praying to the great friend of the Albanians welcome he later spoke of the importance of this visit to the House of Vatra, Congresswoman Engel, in which he singled out him of the Congress' contribution to Kosovo, as well as his assistance to Albanians in the Presevo Valley in Macedonia and Montenegro, and his friendship with Kosovo President Rugova.

Harry Bajraktari, who also remembers the contribution of Congresswoman Engel to the Albanian issue, who said Bajraktari is ongoing for more than three decades at Capitol Hill.

He indicated that Congressman Engel, has been a great supporter of Kosovo since he was elected to Congress in 1989, and had known him.

“Congressmen signed the resolution on expressing support for President Rugova in the early 1990s ... After Kosovo's independence, Congressman Engel tried to bring Kosovo to the MCC. Engel's commitment to Kosovo does not stop here, it is numerous. We have the honor of having a friend like Engel, in Congress, who is a friend of all Albanians, from the Presevo Valley of Kosovo, Albanians in Montenegro and Macedonia “said Bajraktari.

Bajraktari mentioned both very important during his speech at Water and the Millennium Foundation, where Engel's contribution to Kosovo enabled the Millennium Foundation to implement a US Millennium Corporation. MCC, MCC, on government energy and transparency.

Where the MCC is known last year and the Kosovo government signed a $449m threshold programme (approximately 41.6m euros) aimed at promoting economic growth through implementation of projects for reliable electricity and regulation.

Meanwhile, the editor of the English section of the Sun, Rafaela Prifti, the niece of former Albanian secretary Pan Vatra, former editor of the Sun newspaper, spoke of the 108-year history of Vatra, why the historic role and contribution of Albanians was established for more than a century.

“War and the efforts of seats and patriots for Albania's independence, those for the freedom and rights of Albanians in Kosovo, the Albanian parts of Cammeri, as well as the activity held in the period of communist rule against the regime in Albania - were great here in America”, said Rafaela Prifta Editor of English in the Sun newspaper.

Meanwhile, Congressman Engel stressed that the partnership between Albania, Kosovo and the United States remains as strong as ever before.

And his ties with Albanians Kosovo and the Albanian issue Engel devote all of its recognition to Harry Bajraktari 30 years ago.

“I have always said that Kosovo will be a free and independent nation, despite all the sceptical voices about it. You will always have the support of the United States of America, “he said.

Engel believes Kosovo will be a member of NATO and the EU.

I know that one day we will celebrate Kosovo's accession to the European Union and NATO. This is the goal we have for Kosovo's future. You can always rely on me as your friend- as your friend so you have the door open in my office in Congress whenever you need”, Engel said at the end.