State Of Affairs In The Balkans

The United States remains committed to helping the western Balkans on their path to Euro-Atlantic integration.

Photo: VOA

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon (file)

The United States remains committed to helping the western Balkans on their path to Euro-Atlantic integration. It is the best means of ensuring long-term peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. The western Balkans, said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon, is a critical part of Europe. It is impossible to speak of a Europe that is whole, free, democratic, and at peace without having resolved unfinished business in this region.

While challenges remain, there has been significant progress in many Balkan countries. Slovenia joined the European Union, or EU, in 2004; Albania and Croatia joined NATO in 2009; and Croatia was recently invited to join the EU in 2013. Kosovo is nearing the fourth anniversary of its independence and continues to progress as a multi-ethnic democracy. Montenegro, only five years after it obtained independence, already has EU candidacy status and is a full participant in NATO’s Membership Action Plan...........................................

http://www.voanews.com/policy/editorials/State-Of-Affairs-In-The-Balkans-134496533.html