Serbia’s Prime Minister Ana Brnabić cancelled a meeting with U.S. Senators Chris Murphy and Gary Peters. According to an announcement from the Government of Serbia, the meeting was planned at 11:00 this Thursday, and there is no official statement as to the reasons for the cancellation.
Senators Murphy and Peters are expected to meet President Aleksandar Vučić, with Belgrade being the next stop of their tour in several countries of the Western Balkans.
Earlier, the Senators visited Kosovo where they met with President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The American officials asked the Kosovar leaders to implement the agreement with Serbia towards the normalization of relations, while also demanding Serbia not hinder Kosovo’s path in becoming a member of international organizations.
The Senators also visited Tirana, where they met with Prime Minister Edi Rama, President Bajram Begaj, deputies as well as the U.S. Ambassador to Albania Yuri Kim. Among other topics, the American officials asked Albanian authorities to extend the stay of Afghan evacuees in the country.
The Senators’ tour in the Western Balkans aims to promote stability and cooperation in the region, with the support of the United States. “We can never take peace in the Balkans for granted and our visit comes at a key moment for many of these countries. While there has been good progress towards normalization between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro on the path to EU accession, there is still some way to go. Senator Peters and I will send a strong message that the United States is invested in maintaining regional stability and supports its path toward European integration,” said Senator Murphy, according to a U.S. Senate press release on their visit in the region.
“I am proud to represent the thriving Albanian and Kosovar communities in Michigan, and this trip is an important opportunity to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to the Western Balkans and discuss our shared strategic goals,” said Senator Peters.
