Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) quizzed U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Wednesday when she appeared before the House Foreign Affairs Committee about areas of concern in the Western Hemisphere, the Middle East and the Balkans.

(The exchange between Rep. Engel and Secretary Clinton can be viewed here - http://youtu.be/jXBSleXXRL0)

“It is always an honor to speak with Secretary Clinton, with whom I had the pleasure to serve the people of New York while she was our senator.  She has always been a great partner in addressing the many worldwide issues which I believe are vital to our national security and to the safety and well-being of our many allies around the world,” said Rep. Engel.

Rep. Engel raised the following issues with Secretary Clinton:

• Israel and the uncertainty and dangers surrounding Iran and its nuclear program
• Kosova’s European integration and Serbia’s conditions for EU membership
• FARC’s announced plan to release hostages and how it affects our ally in Colombia.
• The need for a greater U.S. presence in the Caribbean by establishing embassies in the five countries where the US has none.

Rep. Engel is the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and a member of the Subcommittee on Europe.   He Co-Chairs the Congressional Albanian Issues Caucus.

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