New US strategy for the Balkans: Establish a permanent military presence in Southeast Europe

In the new strategy of the United States of America (USA) for the Balkans, it is proposed to establish a permanent American military presence in Southeast Europe.

According to the Voice of America, the Atlantic Council of the USA will publish today a report on the new American strategy for the Balkans entitled "Balkans forward - a new American strategy for the region".

It proposes the establishment of a permanent US military presence in Southeastern Europe, advocating for "historic reconciliation" with Serbia and restoring the US's reputation as a true mediator.

The executive vice president of that non-governmental organization, Damon Wilson, assessed for the Voice of America that a more active role of the US in the Western Balkans is necessary and, as he said, Washington, if it is not more involved, risks the outbreak of a new Balkan crisis.

According to him, the report should send a message that now is the right time for renewed American engagement in the region, and that there is a strategy for how the US can join the European Union (EU) and help realize the vision of the Balkans becoming part of Europe. and the transatlantic community.

"To strengthen our presence in Southeastern Europe, as we did in its northeastern part," Wilson said.

This is also, he believes, a signal to other great powers, which may be active in the region.

"At the political level, we can help and send a clear message to those who want to disrupt the process of transatlantic integration, whether it's Russian intelligence or organized crime," says Wilson.

The Western Balkans will be the topic of the one-day conference "The Coming Storm? Shaping the Future of the Balkans in an Era of Uncertainty" organized by the US Atlantic Council on Wednesday in Washington.

The conference will be attended by foreign ministers of the Western Balkans, including Montenegrin Srđan Darmanović, as well as high-ranking officials of the State Department, members of the US Congress and experts.

Wilson said that the US Atlantic Council is committed to advancing the historic process of reconciliation with Serbia and to be a true mediator in achieving real progress on the political front when it comes to dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina or assistance to Greece and Macedonia.

In response to the Voice of America statement that Serbia is balancing between the EU and Russia, and that the State Department official advised Belgrade not to sit on two chairs, Wilson stated that there is a great chance for Serbia, under the leadership of Aleksandar Vučić, and the US under this administration, to try to bring about a historic reconciliation between the two countries which recognizes that there are many more areas in which they can cooperate.

"And yes, which is evident in polls and from other sources, the electorate in Serbia understands that the future is in Europe," Wilson added.

As he said, under the current leadership in Belgrade, there is a chance to help bring the talks with Pristina to an end, to bring a certain sense of security to that relationship, but also a sense of inevitability regarding the future of Serbia.

"These are difficult decisions for Vučić and the Government of Serbia, but they have clearly shown their interest and will," states Wilson.

Asked if he supports Pristina's request that the US be directly involved in negotiations with Belgrade, he said he thinks it makes sense for the United States to be part of that process.

"Obviously, first of all, two sides should lead it. The EU will continue to play a valuable role as a mediator, but the Americans should not sit on the sidelines. We should play our part and help bring the dialogue to a constructive conclusion," he concluded. is Wilson