HRES 1246

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 30, 2026

Mr. Self (for himself, Mr. Torres of New York, and Mr. Lawler) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in support of the integration of Kosovo into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Whereas the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (“NATO”) has served as the cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security since its founding in 1949, preserving peace and stability through collective defense under article 5 of the Washington Treaty; Whereas NATO enlargement has historically strengthened the Alliance by incorporating nations committed to democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law, consistent with article 10 of the Washington Treaty; Whereas the Western Balkans remain one of the final regions of Europe in which several states have not integrated into NATO, leaving a strategic gap that adversaries of the United States and allies of such adversaries seek to exploit; Whereas the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, and other malign actors have expanded their political, economic, and paramilitary influence across the Western Balkans, posing a direct threat to the security of United States forces stationed in the region and to the broader strategic interests of the United States in Southeastern Europe; Whereas Kosovo declared independence on February 17, 2008, and has since been recognized by over 100 countries, including the United States and a majority of NATO member states; Whereas Kosovo has demonstrated its commitment to democratic governance, civilian oversight of security forces, and multiethnic coexistence, and has actively sought closer integration with NATO; Whereas the Partnership for Peace and the Membership Action Plan have served as effective and proven pathways for aspiring NATO members to undertake the political, military, and institutional reforms necessary for full Alliance membership; and Whereas the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, while a worthwhile diplomatic objective, should not be treated as a prerequisite for Kosovo’s progress toward NATO membership: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that—

(1) the full integration of Kosovo into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (“NATO”) is a priority for the national security interests of the United States in Southeastern Europe;

(2) the United States is deeply concerned with the growing malign activities of the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, and other malign actors in the Western Balkans, and the threat these pose to the security of United States forces stationed in the region and to the strategic interests of the United States in Southeastern Europe;

(3) the United States strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kosovo as a democratic, multiethnic state, and reaffirms its recognition of Kosovo’s independence;

(4) the United States strongly supports Kosovo’s aspirations as a democratic, multiethnic state, and encourages Kosovo’s continued progress toward integration into NATO;

(5) the United States should continue and deepen its support for the modernization of the Kosovo Security Force, the Kosovo Intelligence Agency, and other relevant security organs of the Kosovo state, in order to strengthen Kosovo’s capacity for self-defense and interoperability with NATO forces;

(6) the United States urges the remaining 4 non-recognizing member states of NATO, namely Greece, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain, to amend their positions on Kosovo’s sovereignty, so as to allow Kosovo to formally commence movement toward integration into NATO;

(7) the pathway toward Kosovo’s full NATO membership should proceed through sequential steps, including—

(A) Kosovo’s inclusion in the NATO Partnership for Peace program;

(B) Kosovo’s admission into the NATO Membership Action Plan; and

(C) Kosovo’s full admission into NATO as a member state; and

(8) it is the policy of the United States to—

(A) actively advocate within NATO for Kosovo’s inclusion in the Partnership for Peace and the Membership Action Plan;

(B) engage diplomatically with non-recognizing NATO member states to encourage recognition of Kosovo’s sovereignty; and

(C) continue security assistance and capacity- building efforts with Kosovo’s security and intelligence institutions. <all>