Washington, D.C. -  U.S. Rep. David Price (D-NC) is leading the first U.S. Congressional delegation to the Balkan region since Kosovo declared its independence last month.  He is also visiting with North Carolina soldiers who are stationed at Camp Bondsteel and working to dismantle landmines in the war-torn nation.

Kosovo, which has been under the interim protection of NATO troops since the 1999 war with Slobodan Milosevic’s Serbian army, declared its independence from Serbia on February 17th.  The United States is one of 26 foreign countries who have recognized Kosovo’s independence.

Price is Chairman of the House Democracy Assistance Commission, which works with the legislatures of emerging democracies throughout the world to help them build and strengthen their governmental institutions.  He met with leaders of Kosovo on Saturday morning, reiterating U.S. support for the newly independent nation.  He then spent the afternoon greeting members of the 430th Explosives and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit out of Greenville, NC.

Price has since departed for neighboring Macedonia, where he is leading a program with six other U.S. House Members and Congressional staff to provide guidance to the Macedonia Parliament.  On Wednesday, the delegation will travel to Ukraine for a similar democracy-building mission.  The delegation is engaging in discussions in both countries about their possible accession to NATO, with key decisions on both countries now pending.  NATO membership is seen to be a critical step toward future stability and prosperity in both nations.

Price hopes his Commission’s work will support the development of stable, responsive legislative branches in all three countries.  An effective legislative branch is critical to building a lasting democracy in any country, Price said.

Traveling with Price are Reps. David Dreier (R-CA), Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), Lois Capps (D-CA), Judy Biggert (R-IL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD).  They are joined by five Congressional staff members and military escorts.  The delegation returns on Saturday.