3 minutes agoO'Brien: Balkan leaders do more to move region forward
Periskopi(2 years ago)
(2 years ago)US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia James O'Brien has said Thursday that building stability in the Western Balkans takes time, and leaders of the region must accept that they must do more to further the region. He made these statements at the German Marshall Fund, at his address [...]
US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia James O'Brien has said Thursday that building stability in the Western Balkans takes time, and leaders of the region must accept that they must do more to further the region.
He made these statements at the German Marshall Fund, in his first major address since he took over the position of U.S. relations overseer with Europe and Eurasia.
Asked whether the West should choose between reform and stability for the Balkan region, and if there is a balance in this direction, he has said that numerous processes in these countries should be worked in various phases.
Asked about the recent elections in Serbia, which have been criticised by the international factor, he has said that “sfida is who can promise results for people in Serbia?”, and citing the importance of preserving democracy in the region.
The ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) has won 46.72 per cent of the vote in early parliamentary and local elections, held in December last year.
Speaking on this topic, he has mentioned that Serbia is having good economic performance in recent times and that, according to him, implies that this country will have economic growth and will attract new investments in Serbia.
If we want other states to have the same options, we will have to encourage reform, even at risk of instability”, he has said.
Among other things, O'Brien has said that the United States will help the European Union in the enlargement process, with the goal of including Western Balkan countries in it.
In this direction, he has stressed the EU's Economic Growth Plan presented on January 22nd in Skopje, saying it will serve as a new impetus for these countries on the road to integration.
These are steroids for an economy”, he said, when he spoke of funds that would benefit Balkan countries in exchange for carrying out reforms.
Among other things, O'Brien has mentioned that at the January 22nd meeting, he has noticed that Western Balkan countries are tired of promises given to the EU for enlargement, without any concrete results and believes the new plan will have practical effects.
“The U.S. will help Ukraine win”
During its address, O'Brien focused on the war in Ukraine, the Western Balkans and other major issues, such as technological advancement, migration and climate.
“Our challenge is this year to prove that reasonable governments can yield results”, the American official said, adding that otherwise it opens up to others to spread the false “slogian”.
Speaking of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, launched in February 2022, he said he believes Ukraine will be in the best position by the end of 2024 and that the US will help this country win.
According to him, there is great support in the U.S. Congress for further aid to Ukraine, despite the current blockade in this institution by conservative Republicans, who do not want more aid to this country.
According to him, the main reason the United States helps Ukraine in this war is because, in a way, its country, and other countries are safer.
O'Brien has warned Russia's economy of about 6 percent more in the next two years.
He has said Russia has decided to give up the rich world by taking a different course, and it has mentioned North Korea, with which it eventually signals increased co-operation.
According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin has thought he would weaken him NATO, but it has ended with a stronger alliance, citing Finland's membership in it, following the start of the war.
The war in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022.
President Putin calls war <x0 special military operation” to demilitarise Ukraine.
The West has responded to Russia, striking the economy of this state with severe sanctions.
As a result of the war, thousands have died, and millions of others have been displaced from their homes. / REL/
