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The US Congress introduces a new bill for the Western Balkan countries, including Albania

2025-12-26 17:38:00, Politikë CNA

The US Congress introduces a new bill for the Western Balkan countries,

The United States Congress has introduced a new bill titled the "Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act".

The bill aims to increase American trade, investment, and political support for the Western Balkan countries.

"(1)The countries of the Western Balkans (the Republic of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Kosovo, Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Serbia) form a pluralistic and multiethnic region at the heart of Europe, which is critical for the peace, stability and prosperity of that continent.

(2) Continued peace, stability and prosperity in the Western Balkans are directly linked to the opportunities for democratic and economic progress available to the citizens and residents of these seven countries.

(3) It is in the mutual interest of the United States and the seven Western Balkan countries to promote sustainable economic growth and development in the region.

(4) The reforms and integration with the European Union pursued by the countries in the Western Balkans have led to considerable democratic and economic progress in the region.

(5) Despite economic progress, poverty and unemployment rates in the Western Balkans remain higher than in neighboring European Union countries.

(6) Out-migration, especially of young people, is affecting the demography of each Western Balkan country, resulting in population decline in all seven countries.

(7) Implementing critical economic and governance reforms can help enable investment and employment opportunities in the Western Balkans, especially for young people, and can provide powerful tools for economic development and for encouraging broader participation in a political process that increases trade and prosperity for all.

(8) Existing regional economic efforts, such as the Regional Common Market, the Berlin Process and the Open Balkans Initiative, may have the potential to improve economic conditions in the Western Balkans, while promoting inclusiveness and transparency.

(9) The Department of Commerce, through its Foreign Commercial Service, plays an important role in promoting and facilitating opportunities for United States trade and investment.

(10) Corruption, including among key political leaders, continues to plague the Western Balkans and represents one of the greatest obstacles to further economic and political development in the region.

(11) Disinformation campaigns targeting the Western Balkans undermine the credibility of its democratic institutions, including the integrity of its elections.

(12) Vulnerability to cyber-attacks or attacks on information and communication technology infrastructure increases risks to the functioning of government and the provision of public services.

(13) United States Cyber ??Command, the Department of State, and other Federal agencies play a critical role in protecting the national security interests of the United States, including deploying cyber hunting teams at the request of partner nations to bolster their cyber defenses.

(14) Securing domestic and international cyber networks and ICT infrastructure is a national security priority for the United States, which is exemplified by offices and programs throughout the Federal Government that support cybersecurity.

(15) Corruption and disinformation thrive in political environments marked by autocratic control or partisan conflict.

(16) The dependence on Russian sources of fossil fuels and natural gas for the Western Balkan countries ties their economies and politics to the Russian Federation and hinders their aspirations for European integration.

(17) Reducing the Western Balkans' dependence on Russian natural gas and fossil fuel supplies is in the national interest of the United States.

(18) China's growing influence in the Western Balkans could also have a detrimental impact on strategic competition, democracy and economic integration with Europe," the draft law states. /CNA 





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