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David Kostelancik is re-proposed by Biden as US ambassador to Albania

Politiko 2024-03-06 13:07:38

The Embassy of the United States of America in Tirana has not had an ambassador since June 2023. Career diplomat David J. Kostelancik, proposed by President Joe Biden last year to replace former ambassador Yuri Kim, has been blocked. by Ohio Senator JD Vance.

The regulation on unconfirmed appointments gives the president the right to present the candidate a second time, and the White House has sent the name of Mr. Kostelanick in the Senate for the 2024 session. In the Senate's executive calendar, the session appears to have been scheduled for April 27, FlasShqip.ca writes .

In a letter from the Albanian-American Council addressed to Ohio Senator JD Vance on January 16, 2024, the importance of his vote for the approval of Mr. Kostelancik in the post of ambassador of Albania, "a key country for strengthening the partnership and facing the challenges of the period we are going through". The letter lays out the arguments for the harmful consequences related to the absence of the American ambassador in Tirana regarding the critical area of security for the Western Balkans and the entire region. On the other hand, the vacuum of representation at the ambassadorial level of a NATO country "damages American interests and those of the alliance", because it allows room for influence from opposing parties such as Russia and China, the letter states. In particular, "the upcoming NATO meeting in July in Washington reiterates the priority and urgency of appointing the American ambassador to Albania".

"As a career diplomat with long and varied experience, Mr. Kostelancik enjoys the support of the Albanian-American community, including our community in the state of Ohio," it is also emphasized.

The letter mentions the professional qualification of Mr. Kostelancik both in the diplomatic service and in the sphere of culture, reinforced with a good knowledge of the Albanian language. He was the representative for political and economic issues at the US Embassy in Tirana at the time of its reopening in 1992-1994. In the positions and duties of his 30-year career as Foreign Policy Adviser to the US Chief of Staff, Director of Eastern and Southern European Affairs, he has been constantly engaged and well-informed about the stages that the country and the entire region have gone through.

In general, votes in the Senate follow party lines. Because in this Senate, both the Republican and Democratic parties have 50 members, this potentially gives a deciding vote.

One of the latest news from the Senate may have consequences for its future decisions. Republican Majority Leader 82-year-old Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, a seasoned and influential politician, after 40 years of service in the Senate, said he will step down from this leadership post at the end of the year. It remains to be seen what will be his influence on his Republican colleagues for the votes in the Senate between now and November, one of which, of importance for Albanians, is the approval of the appointment of the American ambassador to Albania, David Kostelancik.