Kosovo and Iowa Celebrate 18 Years of Sister-State Partnership

Des Moines, Iowa – The Republic of Kosovo will mark 18 years of independence with a reception hosted by the Consulate of the Republic of Kosovo on Friday, February 19, 2026, at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates in Des Moines. The event celebrates the enduring partnership between Iowa and Kosovo, formalized as sister states in 2011.

A Long-Standing Collaboration

The relationship between Iowa and Kosovo extends beyond a symbolic gesture. It encompasses military, educational, and cultural exchanges, alongside sister-city relationships between various Iowa and Kosovo municipalities. Iowa cities involved in these partnerships include Des Moines, Ames, Norwalk, Johnston, Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Clarion, Fort Dodge, and Cedar Falls.

The State Partnership Program

The Kosovo-Iowa National Guard Partnership is a key component of the U.S. European Command State Partnership Program, one of 25 European partnerships and part of the broader National Guard State Partnership Program, which includes 88 partnerships worldwide. Established on March 11, 2011, the program aims to develop the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and foster mutually beneficial interests across all levels of society.

Recent Developments

This partnership continues to evolve. In November 2025, Airman Drini Gashi became the first Kosovo citizen to join the Iowa National Guard, marking a significant milestone in the State Partnership Program (SPP). In December 2023, 33 Iowa National Guard soldiers were deployed to Kosovo for a nine-month peacekeeping mission supporting a NATO operation.

Looking Ahead

The continued collaboration between Iowa and Kosovo demonstrates a commitment to shared security and cultural understanding. As the partnership enters its second decade, it is expected to further strengthen ties and contribute to the development of Kosovo’s security forces and its integration with Euro-Atlantic standards.