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| Gabriel Escobar in the left and Arben Xhixho in the interview with VOA |
VOA: Mr. Escobar, what will be your priorities for the Western Balkans? What will be the most pressing issues you will deal with?
Escobar: These are two very, very important issues. The first issue, which is medium-term, we would like to see faster integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union. We think these countries have made tremendous progress because they are culturally, historically, and economically European states. Many of the countries have already made tremendous reforms. And for Europe, this is a step worth taking.
They share the same values and common interests with the rest of Europe. So this is important and will be a priority. Parallel to this is NATO membership, for those who are interested. This will obviously require me to work very closely with our European partners, many of whom share our views on this issue. But from our perspective, this should be a process that needs to be done dynamically and actively. So I would like to see some dynamism in this process.
The next process is about the future, for the next generation of the Balkans. And for that, we are considering economic opportunities. The Western Balkans is an area of opportunity. They are dynamic, they have excellent universities, they have very qualified people. Unfortunately, many people do not see opportunities in their countries and are leaving. Over time, this departure would become a strategic problem, not only for the Balkan countries but also for Europe and the United States. So I am very interested in all these issues and ideas for economic integration. If you look at the Western Balkans as a whole, you could theoretically have an economic group of six countries, maybe even more, of about 20 million inhabitants, with a gross domestic product of about $ 125 billion and economic growth rates of up to 5%. . Given this, it would be the fastest-growing region in Europe. And that's positive, for us, politically, and I think it's going to be positive for American investors, too, who want to see that part of the world.
VOA: Are you concerned about the role of Russia and China in the region? Analysts say the lack of a strong US role will fill the gap with Russia and China.
Escobar: I'm worried. To be honest, I think that in the European space and in that of Western Europe, countries should feel that they have other options besides China from the economic point of view. The opening of the office of the International Finance Corporation for Development in Belgrade was a great example of our commitment to the region. I am working very closely with the American Chambers of Commerce in all of these countries as a way to encourage people to look beyond China for major infrastructure projects and investments because our investment actually comes with long-term benefits for the region.
In the case of Russia, we think that many of the things that Russia does to interfere in the domestic politics of countries, especially in Montenegro, are very destabilizing, take us further away from the path of European integration, and even further away from the multi-ethnic reconciliation.
Escobar: Look, I have to say that we are very committed to this issue with our European partners. We believe that both sides should refrain from using harmful rhetoric and both sides should focus their attention and energy on the EU-mediated dialogue. We support this dialogue 100% and I am in daily contact with Miroslav Lajçaku. He has some very good proposals. He is trying to bring both sides to Brussels on the issue of license plates, with the aim of negotiating a lasting solution, and there are some good solutions. But it is up to both parties to agree to discuss this, it is up to them to go to Brussels and address this issue. It is also in the hands of both sides, not to have a military approach to this issue and not to send Special Forces to a place where we have KFOR. There is no need for such a thing. On the issue of license plates, we would like to see some moves in Brussels, probably as early as next week.
As for the broader issue of dialogue, there are many things on the table, including some immediate issues, that I think should happen, like that of missing persons, or that of energy, for example. But again, through dialogue, this is the channel we support.
VOA: The US wants to see a solution between Kosovo and Serbia based on mutual recognition between the two countries and supports the EU-mediated dialogue, a process that has dragged on for 10 years without much progress. Is it time for a new approach?
Escobar: No approach, I think it is time for a renewed effort for dialogue. Dialogue needs support from the European Union.
VOA: What do you mean by “renewed effort”?
Escobar: I would say that, with all due respect to our European colleagues, people in the region are not always convinced that Europe accepts them. So Europe must give them a message that these countries will be members of the European Union and that will join within a reasonable period of time. The EU-mediated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is part of this effort. But the effort is about the whole region. It includes Bosnia, Northern Macedonia, Albania, and Montenegro. The message must be very clear to the people of these countries, that they will be part of the European Union.
VOA: There are 5 countries in the European Union that have not recognized Kosovo and this is an obstacle for the EU to come up with a position. Can the US help Kosovo recognize these countries?
Escobar: I think that in the end, if progress is made in the European Union, in the EU-led process, recognition by these five countries, will happen. It is not that these five countries believe that Kosovo and Serbia should not be part of the European Union, but for their own internal reasons, they have decided to wait to see the results of the dialogue. That is why dialogue is important.
VOA: Do you think that Kosovo and Serbia will be able to reach a comprehensive agreement during the administration of President Biden?
Deputy Assistant Secretary Escobar: I hope so, as we need to move forward with other issues, such as candidate status and economic integration for the whole region.
VOA: One of your predecessors, Hoyt Yee, warned Serbia that it could not sit in two chairs, on the one hand, the US and the EU, and on the other, Russia and China. Serbia has moved closer to both countries. How do you see this trend? Is Serbia a reliable partner in the region?
Escobar: Serbia is a good partner. They are good partners on many issues, such as law enforcement cooperation, or some of our migration efforts for example. They are working very closely with us on many issues, whether regional or bilateral. Serbia is the economic engine of the region and open to economic integration with the rest of the region. President Vuici. Has assured us that while he is moving forward in the Open Balkans initiative, he is open to all six (countries). So the question is not, whether Serbia is getting closer to the west, because in fact, 70 or 80 percent of its economy is connected to the west, most of its diasporas are located in the West, most of its investments come from the Sunset. So the question is: can he convince the public of this fact? There is something that people do not understand, that Russia does not invest in Serbia. Russia does not provide humanitarian aid to Serbia. While China, there is no quality investment like the ones we offer. So Hoyt Yee was right, Serbia can not sit in two chairs. Culturally, economically, socially, they have made a choice and it is up to us to help them move in this direction, concretely, through membership in the European Union.
VOA: How does the United States view the concept of the "Serbian World" and other initiatives taken by President Vucic to promote "Serbian identity and unity" in the region? Could this become a destabilizing trend for the region?
Escobar: That remains to be seen. But I can tell you that there is no conflict between people who want to celebrate their cultural traditions by living in another country. Here in the US we celebrate each other’s cultural traditions. The problem arises when this becomes a military-political priority. We absolutely believe that citizens of different ethnicities, living in another country, are citizens of the country where they live and have responsibilities towards that country. Other countries from abroad should have this clear, regardless of where these ethnicities are located, in Kosovo, North Macedonia, or Montenegro. It is an issue that creates a lot of confusion for people in the region. But we believe that the Balkans, as a multi-ethnic region of the world, has much to celebrate culturally.
VOA: Some Western Balkan countries are expressing frustration over delays in EU integration. The EU itself suffers from so-called "enlargement fatigue" or has its own internal problems. Recently, Albania and North Macedonia have been blocked due to Bulgaria. Can the US push for a solution and how do you see the process for the future of these two countries?
Escobar: On the issue of enlargement fatigue; The countries of the Western Balkans have a lot to give to the European Union, they will make the European Union stronger, they will make it more economically stable because these countries are very competitive.
VOA: Does the EU think so?
Escobar: I think some EU countries do. But I honestly think the EU benefits from their membership. So they should seek to do so. If you look at the behavior of North Macedonia and Albania in NATO, they have been strong members. They have been great contributors and have been loyal partners. So this is what the European Union can expect from these two countries. So yes, we will work with our European partners to find a way to get them moving fast in the accession process.
VOA: Secretary Blinken's decision to publicly appoint former President Sali Berisha for major corruption has caused controversy in Albania, for the fact that he has not been in any decision-making position for at least the last 8 years. While this is a political decision by the US, to advance its national interests, some people question why this decision was taken now. In the absence of a proper legal process in Albania, do these definitions risk not achieving the desired goals? If an Albanian court, or the Albanian authorities, will ask the US to share the information since you say you have evidence if they ask you, is the United States ready to provide the information?
Escobar: First of all, the determination had to do with curbing corruption, it did not relate to the elections, to the parties within…
VOA: When I say time, I mean what happened after 8 years he was not in power and not the time he was announced, right after the election.
Escobar: There are several reasons, first, we have new powers. Then, during that period, research had to be done and we had to make sure that we were able to do the information processing. Regarding the transfer of information to Albania, we already have very strong cooperation in the field of law enforcement, but also in the military field, and we forward a lot of information. I will not comment on any specific legal procedure, but we have a good partnership with Albania.
VOA: The current government has been in power for 8 years and the corruption has been permanent, I am quoting here the report of the State Department: "all-pervasive". But we have not seen the appointment of any official in power. Are we expected to see other determinations in the future?
Escobar: You will see other definitions for the whole region. I can not comment on specific cases. But we intend to use the competencies for the purpose for which they were created.
VOA: As far as Montenegro is concerned, as you mentioned, Russia is playing a destabilizing role there. What is the United States doing to prevent further destabilization of this country?
Escobar: I know I am repeating it, but European integration and NATO membership are very important tools to do that. Also sending messages to specific parties, that bringing into government and governance of destabilizing factors, is a very disturbing phenomenon.
VOA: Let's move on to Bosnia. Mathew Palmer, your predecessor, has taken over the post of election envoy to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The EU has played a leading role in Bosnia since 2006, but without any progress. Is the US expected to play a more active role now?
Escobar: I would not say that the EU has played a leading role, but has played a key role. The United States has always invested heavily in Bosnia since Dayton, and we continue to do so. We provide a substantial amount of funding for the Office of the High Representative. The High Representative is always an American. We have a strong program within USAID in Bosnia, the head of the OSCE, the other senior official, parallel to the High Representative, is usually a US ambassador. We remain interested in Bosnia. Mr. Palmer's continuation with Bosnia speaks to our commitment to the region. I would like to see faster progress from all sides, to make Bosnia a more functional state, a country that can actually express a kind of political consensus as a nation, to be able to do the things it needs for its people.
VOA: Corruption is widespread in Bosnia. It is in the US interest to fight corruption in this country, but what can be done to overcome the status quo?
Escobar: Last year, President Biden announced a series of new mechanisms that provide for sanctions specifically against corruption, not necessarily against criminal activity, but corruption. We plan to use these mechanisms very aggressively.
VOA: Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik has been on the sanctions list since 2017. Despite his public designation, US officials such as Mr. Palmer and Ambassador Nelson have met with him recently. Will you meet him too and if so, what would be your message to him?
Escobar: I do not believe I will meet with him. That remains to be seen. My decision whether or not to meet Dodik will depend on his attitude. As long as he continues to boycott central institutions, I do not believe I will meet with him. But even if changes his mind, the meeting remains to be seen.