Republican Congressman from Florida, Brian Mast, has submitted an amendment for approval in Congress, urging increased U.S. engagement in the Balkans and a clear policy stance regarding the region.
The organization Albanians for America, which stated it contributed to this process, highlighted that, for the first time in over two decades, significant language on the Balkans has been reauthorized thanks to Mast.
According to the organization, this “historic step” recognizes the strategic importance of the region and establishes clear priorities for U.S. policy, including:
- Supporting Kosovo’s independence and its eventual NATO membership
- Pressuring Serbia to reduce ties with Russia and China
- Exposing Serbia’s cooperation with Russia, China, and Iran in technology and security
- Expanding sanctions against those who obstruct peace and stability in the Western Balkans
Through this amendment, the U.S. is required to appoint ambassadors to three Balkan countries, including Kosovo.
“The Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs shall develop a strategy to restore stability in the Western Balkans, prioritizing the appointment of U.S. ambassadors to Balkan countries, including the governments of Montenegro, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina; this will include policy recommendations regarding how the United States can support Kosovo’s independence and eventual membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO),” the amendment states.
Additionally, the amendment calls for continued support of the Millennium Challenge Corporation agreement with Kosovo.
