WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today delivered the following opening statement at this morning’s plenary committee hearing: “Assessment of U.S. Policy toward the Western Balkans.” State Department Advisor Derek Chollet and Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Balkans in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Gabriel Escobar testified before the committee.
“In my opinion, the crucial point for stability in the Western Balkans lies in resolving the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia. » said President Menendez. “This region is a stark reminder of the extent to which a lack of engagement can fuel ethno-nationalist tensions. But we know that when we are committed, good things can happen. And if we are clear-headed and pragmatic in our approach, we have the opportunity to make real progress in the Western Balkans.”
“This Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing will be open.
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Nearly 30 years after the Dayton Peace Accord, we have yet to see its full potential.
While we have welcomed two-thirds of the Western Balkan countries as NATO allies, membership in the European Union still seems out of reach.
Economic growth is uneven across the region and some power-hungry leaders still rely on ethno-nationalist demands to undermine democracy, the rule of law and lasting stability.
The war in Ukraine has reinvigorated the need to support the efforts of European countries to undertake the reforms and commitments necessary for their membership in the European Union.
We must seize this opportunity to promote further progress with partners with whom Russia traditionally exercises significant political, military and economic influence.
In my opinion, the crucial point for stability in the Western Balkans lies in resolving the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia.
We need responsible leaders willing to make and deliver on important commitments to their people.
Kosovo must seize this opportunity for renewed engagement and work with its European partners to move forward.
However, I personally do not believe we have equal participants acting in good faith.
In February, as part of the ongoing dialogue facilitated by Brussels, Serbia and Kosovo verbally agreed to a deal brokered by the European Union.
Shortly afterwards, Serbian President Vucic gave a public speech in which he expressed his disagreement with the content of the agreement and refused to sign it because he still did not recognize Kosovo’s independence.
This is part of a trend in which Vucic says one thing to appease Western leaders and says another to the Serbian people through his state-controlled media.
By controlling the information space and repressing civil society, President Vucic continues to adhere to Serbian nationalist discourses, perpetuating his vision of “Sprski svet”, a great Serbian nation, like Putin’s visions. of a great Russia.
Indeed, the Serbian president boasted of his close personal ties with Putin.
He traveled to Moscow for trade talks and refused to join his European partners in imposing sanctions on Russia.
Today, I would like to hear our witnesses explain to us what the plan includes.
Most of what I see is pressure on Kosovo in favor of the Association of Serbian Municipalities, which I admit Kosovo had already accepted.
But it seems to me that there is little or no pressure on Belgrade.
Neither any real plan nor guarantee that the Association of Serbian Municipalities would not become another Srpska Republic whose dangerous implications we are currently seeing in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
I see little pressure on a leader about whom the New York Times Magazine recently painted a scathing picture of violence and deep interdependence with Serbia’s organized crime gangs.
So I’m hoping you can help me understand what the plan is.
I would also ask you to speak frankly not only about the path taken by Kosovo and Serbia towards normalization.
But also on the normalization of North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
In Bosnia, I fear that the recent electoral reform of the Office of the High Representative will increase ethnic tensions instead of easing them.
We must ensure that the rights of Jews, Roma and other minorities are protected.
For while local leaders engage in destabilizing activities to strengthen their own power, Moscow has long sought to exploit the Balkans’ historic ethnic fault lines to its own advantage.
If Serbia is ever to join the European Union, it will need alternatives to escape Putin’s militarization of energy.
Indeed, one of the best ways to help the Balkans and Central and Southern Europe become energy independent from Russia is to capitalize on the clean energy potential of the Eastern Mediterranean.
This means continued support for interconnections that run directly through the Western Balkans and the promotion of unified regulatory regimes.
Of course, while we work with our partners to move them away from Russia, we don’t want them moving toward China.
The United States should not be left behind in this area.
This region remains a stark reminder of how a lack of engagement allows ethno-nationalist tensions to be fueled.
But we know that when we are committed, good things can happen.
And if we are clear-headed and pragmatic in our approach, we have the opportunity to make real progress in the Western Balkans.
With that, let me turn to Ranking Member Senator Risch for his opening statement.
Notes lightly edited for clarity.
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