Kosovo mourns Eliot Engel: Leaders appreciate his historic role in freedom and independence

Kosovo's political and institutional leaders have comforted the family and friends of the former senior American official, expressing their gratitude and that of the Albanian people.

In their reactions, they have praised the great role Engel had played in relation to Kosovo and Albanians in general.

They have suggested that he was a great friend of Kosovo and a powerful voice of Albanians in the US.

President Albulen Haxhiu's post has praised Engel's role in Kosovo's liberation and independence process.

In her Facebook profile, Haxhiu wrote that Engel was a staunch ally of Kosovo at every stage.

Kosovo today lost its witnessed friend, U.S. Congresswoman Eliot Engel, who was a staunch supporter of our freedom and citizenship. For over three decades at the U.S. Congress, he remained on the right side of history. From calls for NATO's 1999 intervention against Slobodan Milosevic's regime to support for independence in 2008 and to consolidate our state, Engel was a staunch ally of Kosovo on every stage. On behalf of institutions and citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, I express the most sincere condolences for the Engel family and the people of the United States. His memory and contribution will remain a permanent part of our” history, Haxhiu wrote.

Engel's contribution has been commemorated by opposition leaders.

Chairman The PDK, Bedri Hamza, has estimated that Engel stood by Kosovo when history was written.

A special Kosovo friend, Eliot Engel, who stood next to us at the time the story was being written. He was the voice of justice for us in the United States. His friendship and contribution will never be forgotten. His family's sincerest condolences! Rest in peace, big friend.

Even LDK chairman Lumir Abdixhiku has expressed condolences.

According to him, Engel's commitment to Kosovo was unstoppable.

In the most crucial years for the fate of our people, he was one of the most powerful and determined voices in the defense of our right to freedom. He did not withdraw at any critical moment; rather, he stood firm, with firm conviction on the right side of history. His unstoppable engagement for Kosovo puts it among the biggest friends we have ever had”, Obadiah wrote.

And AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj has estimated that Albanians throughout their lives will be grateful to Congresswoman Engel.

“The great friend of Albanians, Congresswoman Eliot Engel, throughout his vital engagement, was committed to the issue of Kosovo and Albanians. Albanians will always be grateful for his historic and irreplaceable contribution to Kosovo's freedom and independence, and he will always be remembered as an icon of eternal friendship with the US. The Albanian-American community's most sincere condolences. May he rest in peace!” wrote Haradinaj on his Facebook account.