(Washington, DC) – US Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation and Ranking Member of the United States Senate Armed Services Committee, last week led a congressional delegation with U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) to North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Bosnia-Herzegovina to convey continued U.S. support to its allies in the context of Russian aggression against Ukraine and to discuss the implications for European security in the region. The senators also reinforced U.S. support for Western Balkan countries in their respective democratic trajectories and encouraged their path toward European integration.
“Our delegation arrived at a time of heightened security concerns in the Western Balkans, and it was important to take this opportunity to reassure our partners and NATO allies that the United States United are actively engaged and supporting their efforts towards a complete Eurozone. -Atlantic integration”, said Shaheen.. “We had substantive conversations with local officials and leaders throughout the visit, including in-depth discussions on the transatlantic alliance, which has been fundamental to our united global response to Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine. »
“It was an honor to join Senator Jeanne Shaheen – a leader on US-EU foreign relations in the US Senate and my neighbor from New Hampshire – on a congressional delegation to the Western Balkans. This delegation arrived at a critical time for global security and the stability of this important region. As we seek a united front against Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, strengthening our transatlantic alliances has never been more important. I was grateful for the opportunity to discuss the power of democracy and express America’s unwavering commitment to a more interconnected, secure, and prosperous world. Welch said..
Throughout their visit, the senators met with senior government officials, members of the respective countries’ administrations and civil society leaders. While in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the senators spoke at the Sarajevo Security Conference. Photos from the trip can be found here.
Last year, Senator Shaheen led bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate to strengthen ties between the United States and the Balkans with Senator Wicker (R-MS). In fall 2022, Shaheen led a bipartisan letter with Senators Tillis (R-NC), Murphy (D-CT) and Wicker to the Biden administration on the importance of EUFOR’s mandate and urged the development of a comprehensive strategy towards Bosnia and Herzegovina. Shaheen traveled to the Western Balkans to serve as an election observer for the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovinawhich followed by a separate trip to the region with Senators Murphy and Tillis. Shaheen shared it experience as an election observer on “Balkans Debrief” with Ilva Tare. In 2015, Senators Shaheen and Wicker visited Srebrenica to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the genocide. Shaheen has condemned democratic backsliding in Bosnia and Herzegovina and worked to strengthen their Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
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