Albanian President Ilir Meta posted a message of gratitude to Congressman Eliot Engel, who left the US Congress, describing him as a tireless advocate and strong voice of Albanians in the Congress.

"Always grateful to the experienced friend of the Albanian Nation, Mr. Eliot Engel, for the extraordinary support given to Albania's membership in NATO, for the important role in consolidating democracy and the rule of law in our country, as well as for the unstinting contribution and invaluable for the freedom, independence and international recognition of Kosovo.

The tireless advocate and strong voice of Albanians in the American Congress, not only as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Mr. Engel has made tireless efforts to further strengthen the excellent Albanian-American relations and our transatlantic connection.

As an excellent connoisseur of the region, Mr. Engel has also stood out as a supporter of the ongoing US commitment to consolidate all the achievements so far in the Balkans for peace, stability, security, democracy and the rule of law.

I am convinced that his support and cooperation will continue in the future, in the interest of strengthening Albanian-American relations," Meta wrote.