Hyot Brian Yee: Embarrassed as troubled Balkan leaders expected in Washington, European Chancellors

 “It is a shame that as political leaders of the Balkans, despite punishable acts, it is welcomed in many European capitals, as if their actions constitute nothing wrong”. The statement has become a deputy US State Secretary Hoyt Brian Yee, recently engaged with the Western Balkans. The senior US official stresses that the West should be more firm on leaders charged with violations or corruption in their countries.

When the cities of these countries see their leaders at summits in Europe and Washington, they draw conclusions. If these leaders are not allowed in certain meetings and circuits and the reasons are made clear why, this would have a positive impact on developments in these countries”, he points out.

Regarding the justice reforms Albania is undertaking, the top diplomat says the result is important.

“We will not be satisfied as Albania's partner with a partial or lack of implementation application, so we will continue to ask the government, political parties, MPs to keep pledges to implement the amendments. The goal is not to please the United States or the European Union, but to establish rule of law, achieve the status of independence for judiciary”, he added.