The co-chairs of the NATO Observer Group in the U.S. Senate, Democrat Jean Shaheen and Republican Thom Tillis, expressed their commitment to peace and stability in the Western Balkans on Tuesday and discussed ways in which the United States can support the aspirations of the region’s countries for membership in the European Union.
The two senators expressed their views in a press release following a meeting in Washington with Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama, North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, and Montenegro’s Foreign Minister Fillip Ivanoviq, who are there for the NATO Summit.
The senators appreciated the contributions of these countries to NATO, their ongoing support for Ukraine, and their role in regional stability.
“We have the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to the Western Balkans by supporting the progress of each of these countries towards EU membership – which would help our transatlantic alliance achieve regional and global stability,” said Senator Shaheen.
“The Western Balkans region is critical for Europe’s security and, as co-chairs of the NATO Observer Group in the Senate, we made it clear that the United States is committed to countering authoritarian regimes,” said Senator Tillis.
The meeting was also attended by Republican senators Mike Rounds, Jerry Moran, and Pete Ricketts, reports Voice of America.
Source: Botasot
