Hoyt Yee explains American policy against Balkans

While US Vice President Mike Pence is on the verge of visiting Montenegro where he will hold talks with Balkan leaders, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Hoyt Brian Yee says the United States' engagement in the Balkans continues to be strong.

This message is good news for the leaders of the countries of the region, amid concerns that deep cuts envisioned in the State Department budget could weaken Washington's role in these fragile democracies exposed to Russian intervention, writes the Voice of America.

Mr. Yee says the United States will try to co-operate with Russia in areas of mutual interest as anti-terrorism, but when they have opposing views...

The United States will protect its interests and values and their allies with great determination. And we're doing this”, he says.

As for the Western Balkans, Mr. Yee says Washington does not want to exaggerate the seriousness of Russia's intervention, but thinks it is important to keep alert.

We're taking steps where we can strengthen the countries of the Western Balkans, in the face of influences with malicious intentions, whether from Russia or, sources, countries and other factors”, says Mr. Yee.

The top official singles out Montenegro's case, where he says, as all data show, Russia intervened to overthrow a democratically elected government.

The other Balkan countries must be very cautious, follow closely what Russia does, and we are doing the same”, he says.

Mr. Yee was referring to what prosecutors in Podgorica have said was a coup effort, financially supported by Russia, in last October's elections, which, according to charges, aimed at killing Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, to undermine Montenegro's NATO membership, which was completed in June.

Moscow has tried to stem the Balkan countries' approach to Euro-Atlantic institutions, including interference in Macedonia's politics and close relations with the traditional ally Serbia, which is seeking to enter the European Union.

Mr. Yee says Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's meeting with Vice President Mike Pence in Washington and Mr. Pence's visit to Montenegro reconfirm the commitment of the new administration to the Balkans. He says that the integration of the region into the EU and NATO is certainly in the interests of the United States.

For this reason, American politics has been stable during several administrations, both democratic and republican, and I believe it will continue”, says Mr. Yee.

But analyst Daniel Cerwer doubts the Balkans will be given greater attention by President Trump's administration.

“Like the previous administration they have left the vice president to deal with the Balkans, which is not absolutely negative, but not completely positive. I don't think it's likely that the attention will be increased, but we still don't know for sure”, says Mr. Serwer.

Mr. Yee says the more committed countries are to implement reforms and fight corruption, the less exposed they will be to external interventions. And a signal of commitment from the United States will have significant impact in a region where domestic and external challenges have not yet been resolved.