WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement welcoming action by authorities in Kosovo that prevented a planned series of attacks by ISIS extremists:

“I applaud authorities in the Republic of Kosovo for thwarting a planned series of terrorist attacks by ISIS extremists, preventing the massacre of Israel’s national soccer team.  I’m reminded of the brutal attack on the Israeli Olympic team in Munich in 1972, and I fear that this attack could have been just as bad or worse. I’m also grateful to the authorities in Albania and Macedonia, which partnered with Kosovo to prevent this attack.

“Kosovo has built an impressive record confronting violent extremism. No one should doubt the commitment of leaders in Pristina to meet this challenge, and the United States is fortunate to have a partner like Kosovo in this important effort.  Given Kosovo’s strong record, it’s time speed Kosovo’s incorporation into key Euro-Atlantic structures, including NATO and the EU.”

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