EU Leaders should not make a strategic mistake and leave the Western Balkans under influences that undermine democracy and progress of reforms.

This is what, the President and CEO of National Endowment for Democracy said in an interview with Ilva Tare for BalkansDebrief of Atlantic Council in Washington, DC, while adding that this is a key moment for the region.

“This is a crisis unfolding for European security. And if there’s ever been an urgent call to action it’s now, and I think that people in the region should demand that future,” – said Wilson.

There was a window opening and I’m afraid the Balkans is missing it right now. European leaders, I think understood the need for decisive action, but they clearly didn’t find it compelling enough to consider decisive action in Western Balkans. I think that’s a strategic mistake, he added.

Despite their great influence and support, the region is still not being able to attract important American investments.

How to bring American investments in the region?

“I think it depends a lot on the region itself. Does the region work together to get rid of barriers to investment? Do they help remove some of the ridiculous requirements that disrupt movement across the borders if you’re trucking goods?

Is it clear that governments in the region are helping to establish and respect economic rule of law, where a contract can be respected, where an entrepreneur or an international company can count on a judicial system to be able to deliver a fair accountability and justice,” – said Wilson.

For the full interview click here.