The new Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Balkans, Alexander Kasanof, will oversee U.S. policy in the region, which fundamentally supports its path towards European integration and membership in Euro-Atlantic institutions.
This was stated by a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State (DOS), in response to a question from Radio Free Europe regarding Kasanof’s objectives in his new role.
Kasanof assumed the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Balkans on July 19 of this year.
Previously, this position was held by Gabriel Escobar, whose term ended in May.
“Our policy promotes regional economic cooperation and reforms that will bring lasting peace, stability, and prosperity to the region. We will continue to work with the Western Balkan states and our European partners to advance these goals under Kasanof’s leadership,” said the DOS spokesperson to Radio Free Europe.
He added that Kasanof will also closely engage with the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia and with European partners, “on the path to achieving a normalized, peaceful, and productive relationship between the two countries.”
Since July 19, Kasanof also serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Media and Public Diplomacy in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
According to his biography published on the DOS website, he has served as the executive assistant to the former Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland, and during the term of the Acting Under Secretary for Political Affairs, John Bass.
Kasanof has served in Ireland, Turkmenistan, Chile, and Ukraine.
He received an award for his work as a political advisor at the Embassy in Kyiv during the Maidan Revolution and subsequent Russian invasion of Ukraine.
