Al Jazzera: Former US deputy ambassador to Kosovo takes office as Balkan chief in the State Department

Periskopi

14 March 2025, 19:15(a year ago)

To Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Balkans Alexander Cassanoff, today may be the last day since South and Central European Affairs Director-in-Office Collins Hyland will be appointed. It is not clear whether this is a solution [...]

As reported Al Jazeera Balkans Whether this is a temporary or permanent solution is not clear.

This development comes at an important moment for American politics in the Western Balkan region, where the US continues to play a key role in political processes, including Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the fight against corruption in the region.

Collins Hyland is a longtime diplomat who has served in some of the most important US diplomatic missions in the world. She has been part of the US diplomatic staff in Baghdad, Kabul and Pristina, where she has held the position of US deputy ambassador to Kosovo from 2016 to 2019. Its experience in the region and recognition of political dynamics in Kosovo and beyond are expected to be key factors in US access to the Western Balkans.

A particularly important aspect of its profile is commitment to fighting corruption, a major problem in many Western Balkan countries. Also, the fact that she speaks Albanian makes her a familiar and close figure for the political spectrum and citizens in Kosovo and the region.

This change in the State Department comes to a period of major challenges for the Western Balkans, especially in terms of tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as efforts for democratic reform and the fight against corruption in the countries of the region. With her experience and recognition of the situation on the ground, College Hyland can play an important role in orientation of American politics towards the Balkans in the months and years to come.

However, it remains to be seen whether its appointment will be temporary or permanent, and how this will affect the US approach to key issues in the region./Periscopi/