U.S. Congressman and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Keith Self, spoke yesterday during the session “Flashpoint: The Path to Stability in the Western Balkans.”
“The purpose of this hearing is to promote stability in the Balkans… The Western Balkans remain the most unstable region in Europe. The United States has long supported efforts to build an independent and robust judiciary in Albania. However, after 10 years of implementation, it is appropriate to reassess whether the justice reform is functioning as intended and delivering impartial justice for the Albanian people,” Self said.
He also issued a warning about delays, offering a comment on the current situation:
“The number of backlogged cases at the national level has expanded from approximately 16,000 at the start of the reform to around 200,000 today, leaving citizens waiting 8 to 15 years to receive a final decision.”
Self went on to highlight key regional risks:
- Kosovo–Serbia tensions and the crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- The influence of Russia and China
- Migration and unemployment
“Without a shift in strategy, American leadership must play a significant role in preserving stability and preventing renewed conflict that would negatively affect the balance of power in Europe,” he stated.
The Congressman concluded with an optimistic message:
“Despite these challenges, opportunities remain to improve stability, peace, and prosperity in both the Eastern and Western Balkans.”
