The U.S. Congress has introduced a new bill titled the “Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act”, aimed at supporting democracy, economic development, and the rule of law.
The bill, filed in the House of Representatives, covers Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Croatia.
According to the congressional report, corruption, especially at high political levels, remains the main obstacle to democratic and economic development in the region.
Key provisions of the bill:
- Section 5: Sanctions against individuals and entities that threaten stability and the rule of law, including mandatory reports on malicious influence from Russia and China, such as disinformation campaigns and cyber threats.
- Albania is specifically highlighted as facing challenges in public procurement, independent institutions, and electoral processes.
- Section 6: Requires the creation of national anti-corruption programs in each Western Balkan country, strengthening strategies to combat political and administrative corruption, including oversight of public procurement, information security, and cyber infrastructure. Independent media is recognized as a key partner in uncovering corruption, with Congress promoting training for investigative journalists.
- Section 9: Introduces the “Western Balkans Young Leaders Initiative”, aimed at developing new leaders in business, technology, governance, and journalism. The bill also supports educational programs and exchanges with the U.S., including university partnerships.
The legislation signals strong U.S. engagement in promoting transparency, accountability, and leadership development across the Western Balkans.
