Prishtina,  May 28, 2026 – At the discussion hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo on “Leveraging U.S. LNG for Kosovo’s Energy Security and Strategic Alignment,” Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe, Eurasia, Africa, and the Middle East at the U.S. Department of Energy, Dan Byers, emphasized the strategic importance of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in strengthening Kosovo’s long-term energy security and resilience.

Echoing the message that “energy security is national security,” Byers stressed that true energy security is achieved through diversification and the availability of alternative sources of supply. While recognizing Kosovo’s existing coal-based generation as an important component of its energy system, he noted that LNG could become an important part of the country’s future energy mix, particularly as electricity demand continues to grow.

Highlighting the United States’ position as the world’s largest producer of natural gas, Byers pointed to the significant increase in U.S. LNG export capacity expected in the coming years. He noted that the United States already supplies approximately 60 percent of Europe’s LNG imports and is well positioned to continue supporting European allies seeking reliable and diversified energy sources.

Byers underscored that supply alone is not sufficient, stressing the importance of developing the infrastructure necessary to import and transport LNG across the region. In this regard, he referenced ongoing U.S. support for strategic regional energy projects, including infrastructure initiatives in Southeast Europe that could improve access to LNG for countries in the Western Balkans.

He further emphasized that Kosovo should begin considering its long-term energy options now, noting that decisions involving infrastructure and energy diversification require strategic planning over a multi-year horizon. Referring to the recommendations outlined in AmCham Kosovo’s policy paper, Byers highlighted the role of energy diplomacy, feasibility assessments, investment planning, and regional interconnections in advancing energy security objectives.

Reaffirming the commitment of the U.S. Department of Energy, Byers stated that the Department stands ready to support Kosovo through technical expertise, capacity-building, and strategic cooperation. He encouraged continued engagement between Kosovo’s institutions and the Department of Energy as discussions on LNG and energy diversification move forward.

Concluding his remarks, Byers reiterated that U.S. support extends beyond commercial considerations, emphasizing that strengthening the energy security of allies and partners remains a strategic priority for the United States.