Embassy Events
U.S. Helsinki Commission Visit Highlights Human Rights in Kosovo and Visas
February 20, 2008
Congressman Alcee Hastings, Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, and Congresswoman Hilda Solis visited Slovakia on February 20 and met with Slovak government and non-government representatives. At a press conference held following a day of meetings, Representative Hastings spoke encouragingly about Slovakia’s progress towards fulfilling the security requirements to gain membership in the Visa Waiver Program. Mr. Hastings also voiced clear U.S. government support for Kosovo’s independence under the framework of the Ahtisaari Plan, which contains crucial guarantees for minorities in the new country. Representative Solis then noted concerns of the Helsinki Commission about the pending media law and press freedom.