U.S. Senators affirm bipartisan support for Western Balkans stability and EU integration

In a display of bipartisan commitment to peace and stability in the Western Balkans, American senators from both the Democratic and Republican parties expressed their steadfast support for the countries of the region during a meeting at the Capitol. The meeting, which took place in the context of the NATO Summit, included discussions with Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski of North Macedonia, and Foreign Minister Filip Ivanović of Montenegro, who were all in Washington for the occasion.

Why is this relevant

The bipartisan show of support is important at a time when the Western Balkans seem particularly vulnerable to both Russian meddling and tensions between the countries of the region that have befuddled the region’s EU perspective.

Context

While the region’s EU integration received a boost in the aftermath of the war in Ukraine, in recent months, the process has encountered a number of obstacles that have once again put a question mark on its perspective. The new nationalist government in North Macedonia has already strained relations with both Greece and Bulgaria with its rhetoric, while relations between Albania and Greece continue to be tense due to the Beleri case. Furthermore, the fact that two EU members, Greece and Bulgaria, are exploiting the EU integration process, which is supposed to be a process founded on merit and achievement, to impose ultimatums on aspiring countries regarding historical and bilateral issues that have nothing to do with EU integration, is undermining the credibility of the EU among the people of the region. To make matters worse, the Western Balkans remain the focus of a concerted Russian effort to foster tensions and instability through a hybrid effort that exploits the same historic and bilateral fault lines.

What was said

Under these circumstances, the United States has a crucial role to play, and it is positive news that, according to Voice of America, the senators underlined the United States’ support for the region’s aspirations toward European Union membership, the contributions of all three countries to NATO, their ongoing support for Ukraine, and the crucial role they play in ensuring regional stability.

“We have the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to the Western Balkans by supporting each of these countries’ progress toward EU membership — which would help our transatlantic alliance achieve regional and global stability,” said Senator Shaheen.

“The Western Balkans region is critical to the security of Europe, and as co-chairs of the NATO Observer Group in the Senate, we made it clear that the United States is committed to opposing totalitarian regimes,” said Senator Tillis.

Also attending the meeting were Republican senators Mike Rounds, Jerry Moran, and Pete Ricketts.