prijava
WASHINGTON, July 18 (FENA) - The Special Envoy of the United States for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, is scheduled to address the Subcommittee of the US Foreign Affairs Committee in Washington today, which will discuss stability and security in the Western Balkans, and provide assessments of the US policy in the region.
In a published address by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar before the House Foreign Affairs Committee (Subcommittee on Europe), hearing on US engagement in the Balkans, it is stated that the US policy in the Western Balkans is based on a simple principle: the continued integration of the region into Euro-Atlantic structures.
That integration strengthens Europe as a geostrategic partner; fortifies democratic governance and the rule of law; and makes the Western Balkan countries more secure and prosperous – and thus the region better security and trade partners for the United States.
"We understand the obstacles to this process are formidable - including stalled progress on democratization, corruption, dependence on Russian energy, ethnonationalist politics, and harmful foreign influence and disinformation. Yet, they are not insurmountable; the Western Balkans must take the steps necessary to qualify for membership. Our engagement is helping them fight corrosive corruption and disinformation that feeds susceptibility to malign influence – from authoritarian states like Russia and the PRC, but also bad actors within. Our engagement is focused on resolving lingering tensions that threaten this path and greater regional stability," it is stated in the report.
In the part of the report that talks about Bosnia and Herzegovina, Escobar states that "unfortunately, in BiH the president of the Republika Srpska entity Milorad Dodik remains focused on dismantling the Dayton Peace Agreement and the state constitution."
"Dodik’s persistent, secessionist, and anti-democratic actions threaten the stability, security, and prosperity of the country and the wider region. We will continue to call out these actions and hold to account anyone who undermines the Dayton Peace Agreement or threatens the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and multi-ethnic character of the country. We will also continue intensive efforts to bolster the international community’s commitment to uphold Dayton, including rallying support for the European Union’s EUFOR ALTHEA mission. Further, we remain firm in supporting the Office of the High Representative’s use of Bonn Powers to counter threats to the Dayton Agreement," underlines Escobar.
Transatlantic and European integration is essential to reducing the harmful influence of actors, like Russia and the PRC but also corrupt local actors, that seek to destabilize the region and hinder this integration while expanding their own influence. Russia remains the exclusive natural gas provider to some Western Balkan countries, a serious threat to regional security. Even as it wages war on Ukraine, the Kremlin feeds disinformation – often through Serbian-language outlets – to sow division, distrust, and inter-ethnic and religious tensions.
The PR China pairs insidious narratives undermining trust in the West with corrosive, entrapping investment. We offer alternatives to build resilience against these influences, align partners with EU standards for critical infrastructure procurements and foreign investments, counter disinformation, and develop clean, reliable, affordable, and diversified energy sources.
The citizens of the Western Balkans want a better future for their children – one where stronger, more transparent democracies and governments are held accountable, support for human rights is strong, and where all benefit from greater economic prosperity and security. Our engagement is helping to realize this dream, and continued bipartisan Congressional engagement remains key to its success, it is stated in Escobar's report.
(FENA) S. R.
