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The United States should increase its engagement in the Western Balkans and cooperate more closely with the EU to act in that region, it was assessed at the session of the Foreign Policy Committee of the US House of Representatives, which also discussed Serbia-Kosovo relations. and Russia-China.
In a session in which participants discussed policy approaches that the administration of future US President Joseph Biden could apply to the Western Balkans, former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said Washington should focus on establishing stronger cooperation with the EU and strengthen the fight against corruption. , which she assessed as “flourishing” in the Balkans, undermining the rule of law.
“The future US administration must support the democratic development of the Western Balkans. I hope they have a partner in the Biden administration. He participated in the Balkans to end the conflict. The team he proposed is very professional and capable of helping countries. (that region) to keep the peace, “Albright said.
He affirmed that the US strategy must allow assistance to states in reform processes, but also put pressure on those who do not carry them out. Albright stated that the Balkans are calmer today than 25 years ago, that “countries have not disintegrated”, that they want to be members of the EU and are striving to strengthen relations with the United States, but also that corrupt leaders use themes nationals to stay in power, while Russia and China “brings instability”, broadcast the Voice of America.
He noted that Serbia is developing cooperation with Russia and China, and that it is necessary to consider the purchase of Russian weapons by Serbia further.
“The fact that it may be subject to sanctions, but it is necessary to consider what exactly is being bought. It is a difficult question and not only concerns Serbia, but also what Turkey is doing, which as a member of NATO also buys weapons. Russian “. in that direction, “Albright said.
He added that the Russians in Serbia “are testing what they are doing in other parts of Eastern Europe: undermining democracy and driving countries away from the West.” Albright said that China, through the “Belt and Road” initiative, is investing in transportation and mining, where help is needed in the Balkan region, and therefore it is important to develop economic cooperation between the United States and Serbia. .
He assessed that the recent opening of the Belgrade office of the United States Finance Corporation for International Development (DFC) should be used as a means of assistance through investment and private sector involvement. From 1997 to 2001, the head of US diplomacy assessed that Serbia “should not impede” the process of “developing Kosovo’s statehood.”
Engel: It’s time for Belgrade to continue
The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Eliot Engel, said that Kosovo is independent, that it will never return to Serbia and that it is time for Belgrade to “continue further.”
“Blocking the recognition of Kosovo’s independence around the world and Kosovo’s membership in the United Nations is holding back Serbia,” Engel said.
He stated that Serbia’s problem is its strong relationship with Russia.
“As US Ambassador Hoyt Yee said, Serbia cannot sit in two chairs at the same time. Our Defense Ministry report states that Moscow’s rapprochement with Belgrade has mainly taken place since (Serbian) President Aleksandar Vucic took over, “Engel added. .
Johns Hopkins University professor Daniel Server, an expert on the Balkans, said renewing America’s engagement with that region, in cooperation with European allies, is a key precondition for resolving outstanding issues.
“The EU-led dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade may be useful, but more involvement from the United States is needed. The dialogue must be monitored, including the implementation of agreements previously reached,” Server said.
He stated that the court’s mandate for the crimes of the former Kosovo Liberation Army should be expanded to also include crimes committed in Serbia, including the murder of three Bytyci brothers, US citizens. He added that visa liberalization must be approved for the citizens of Kosovo.
The server said that the United States should “pressure the Europeans to sanction” those who defend the independence of the Republika Srpska.
“The Europeans, with visible support from the United States, need to strengthen and rebuild their troops in the northeastern city of Brcko to block a possible secession. The United States should try to block Russian weaponry from the entity’s police, as well as political interference. Croatian and Serbian “. Said Server.
He assessed that the Dayton Accord is no longer effective and that it serves, as he said, “the interests of ethnic looting barons.”
Bugajski: Moscow expands its geostrategic interests in the Balkans
The representative of the non-governmental Jamestown Foundation, Janusz Bugajski, said dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo should lead to mutual recognition of independence.
“This will allow their progress in Euro-Atlantic integration. That requires the help of the US administration, embodied in closer cooperation with the EU,” Bugajski said.
Speaking about Russia’s influence in the Balkans, Bugajski stated that Moscow “expands its geostrategic interests, reach and influence” in that area.
“In an attempt to balance, Serbia is moving away from its Western partners and weakening the security of the Balkan Peninsula. Russia is developing ties with the media, businessmen and certain politicians. The Russian oligarchs must be sanctioned and the media helped combat the disinformation spread by Russia and China. ” Bugajski said.
He said that NATO members in Europe need to be carefully monitored, that is, their contribution to the Alliance budget, but also because of Russian influence, especially in countries like Bulgaria and Hungary, which, as he said, could be open to Russian attempts at destabilization.
As for the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the Balkans, Bugajski estimated that “great help” from the EU and the United States will be needed.
“The socio-political consequences of the pandemic and economic crisis may be the strengthening of nationalism, populism and the influence of bad foreign actors. Russia is a short-term threat and China is a long-term threat to American interests in the region. “Bugajski said.
He added that China’s influence will depend on its internal economic situation, but that the United States must be proactive and encourage Western investments through development funds and the creation of legal, bureaucratic and local conditions to attract foreign investment.
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