US Congressman Eliot Engel, known in Kosovo as an early supporter of Kosovo independence, visited the country this week to meet Kosovo’s Prime Minister and to visit the launch of a new multi-million dollar grant signed between Kosovo and the US.

Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, started his trip by joining US Ambassador Greg Delawie in a visit with volunteers from the Kosovo Democratic Institute and the Central Election Commission for Kosovo’s runoff mayoral elections.

On Monday, The Congressman was received by Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj for a visit to the commemorative plaque dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust.

Prime Minister Haradinaj then held a joint-press conference with Congressman Engel, in which they referred to a history of cooperation between the two countries.

Congressman Engel also attended the official launch of the Millennium Foundation on Monday.

The Millennium Foundation will implement a U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation, MCC, grant on energy and governmental transparency.

In September, the MCC and Kosovo’s government signed a 49 million dollar (approx 41.6 million euro) threshold program meant to promote economic growth through implementing projects for reliable electricity and rule-of-law.

Congressman Engel attended the launch on Monday, also attended by the Prime Minister and the Millennium Challenge’s Chief Operating Officer and Kosovo Head.  

Special friend of #Kosovo, ranking member of @HFACDemocrats in #Congress, @RepEliotEngel speaking and reflecting on 10th Anniversary of #Kosovo independence – at the launch of @MFKosovo, the entity that will implement $49million Threshold with @MCCgov. #MillenniumKosovo pic.twitter.com/c2kDSXGSVg

— Petrit Selimi (@Petrit) November 20, 2017

The Congressman was presented with a postmark designed in his honor by the Prime Minister.

“Congressman Engel has been a major supporter of Kosovo since being elected to Congress in 1989.

The congressman signed the resolution for expressing support for President Rugova in the early 1990s… After Kosovo’s independence, Congressman Engel tried to bring Kosovo to the MCC.

Engel’s engagement for Kosovo does not stop there, it is numerous. We have the honour to be together today,” the Prime Minister said.

Meanwhile Congressman Engel emphasized that the partnership between Kosovo and the United States ‘remains to be strong.’

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

“I know that one day we will celebrate Kosovo’s accession to the European Union and NATO. This is the goal we have for the future of Kosovo. You can always count on me as your friend.”