The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in charge of the Western Balkans said that launching membership negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia within this year would send a good signal while reporting in front of the Senate.

Gabriel Escobar reiterated that the only alternative the Western Balkans have is to join the European Union.

“The best signal would be opening accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia within this year. EU membership is the only alternative for the region” declared Escobar.

The US State Department envoy for the Western Balkans also weighed in on the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue and emphasized that both sides must put their differences aside.

“We also support the dialogue for reaching an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo. The dialogue relates to a process in which parties must put their differences aside”, concluded Escobar.