A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers is lobbying for the 2027 annual session of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly to be held in Charleston, South Carolina, instead of Belgrade, Reuters reported, highlighting differing views within Congress over U.S. policy toward Serbia.
According to Reuters, Republican Representative Joe Wilson is expected to introduce a joint congressional resolution, backed by 40 co-sponsors, calling for the annual OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to take place in Charleston next summer rather than in the Serbian capital, which is currently the planned host city.
Belgrade and Charleston are both competing to host the 2027 gathering of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, an organization that has increasingly focused on addressing the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Reuters reported that while lawmakers have cited logistical and practical reasons for supporting their preferred venue, the debate also reflects broader divisions in Washington over relations with Serbia, which maintains close ties with both Russia and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Some members of Congress have advocated a tougher approach toward Belgrade, pointing to Serbia’s continued economic cooperation with Russia, its reliance on Russian energy imports, and its refusal to join Western sanctions imposed on Moscow following the invasion of Ukraine.
Others have argued that continued engagement with Serbia is necessary to encourage the country, an official candidate for European Union membership, to further align its policies with Western partners.
In an interview cited by Reuters, Wilson, co-chair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, said hosting the assembly in the United States would demonstrate America’s commitment to its allies within the OSCE. He also criticized Serbia over its policies toward Kosovo, describing the country as maintaining a hostile approach toward the U.S. ally, whose independence Belgrade does not recognize.
Among the co-sponsors of Wilson’s resolution is Representative William Keating, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe. Keating said the annual OSCE meeting should be held in the United States to underscore “the important role the United States should play in multilateral institutions.”
Reuters reported that Serbia’s Embassy in Washington had not responded to requests for comment.
The news agency also noted that Wilson acknowledged opposition to Charleston’s bid from Senator Roger Wicker of South Carolina, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who reportedly questioned whether Congress could secure sufficient funding for the event. Wilson rejected those concerns.
As a senior member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, Wicker is expected to play an influential role in any decision regarding a potential U.S. bid to host the assembly.
Reuters added that it was unable to independently verify Wilson’s comments regarding Wicker and did not receive a response from the senator’s office.
It remains unclear whether Wilson’s resolution will be considered before Congress adjourns for its summer recess, which is scheduled to begin in the coming days.
