Kosovo’s deputy foreign minister urged American Jewish groups to press Israel for recognition of the country.

In a meeting Wednesday with Jewish officials in Washington, Petrit Selimi said his nation’s pro-American tilt and record of ethnic Albanians protecting Jews during the Holocaust made relations between the two countries a natural.

“With such a deep, historic link, it’s only natural to have Israeli recognition,” Selimi told JTA. “Israel is not just a a country, it is an important country, influential in the community of nations.”

NCSJ: National Conference Supporting Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States & Eurasia, convened the meeting with Selimi. Mark Levin, the group’s director, said Selimi raised the issue of Israeli recognition, but no commitment was made to press Israel on the matter.

Also present at the meeting were representatives of B’nai B’rith International, the Anti-Defamation League and the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society…more.