A group of United States (U.S.) senators from the Democratic and Republican parties presented a draft law aimed at supporting economic development, trade, and the fight against corruption, including drafting a law on special sanctions to combat destabilizing activities in the Western Balkans.
The draft law, otherwise known as the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act, was introduced by Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, and Republican Senator Roger Wicker.
The initiative comes amid heightened concern in the region over the war in Ukraine.
Senator Shaheen says the U.S.’s relationship with the Western Balkans is crucial at this time, where Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intentions to spread malign influence throughout Eastern Europe are evident.
The draft law instructs the Secretary of State to provide technical assistance to each country in the Western Balkans in the development of a national strategy for the fight against corruption.
It also envisages the reinstatement into the law of two executive orders, which would guarantee the authority for sanctions against those who threaten peace and stability in the Western Balkans and who are involved in corrupt acts.
It also aims to promote university partnerships, encourage the engagement of the Peace Corps in the region, create an initiative for youth leadership in the Balkans, and, as requested by the Development Finance Corporation, open a previously announced office in the region.
Senator Shaheen led a group of U.S. senators who visited Kosovo, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in April due to concerns about the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on the Western Balkans.
Their visit was aimed at strengthening ties between Washington and the Western Balkans, in the face of foreign efforts to undermine peace.
Senator Wicker said the draft law would “send a strong bipartisan signal that the U.S. is committed to supporting diplomacy in the region.”, RFE writes.
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