In his remarks at a hearing in front of the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Europe, Energy, the Environment and Cyber, Gabriel Escobar underlined that the U.S. authorities are working with the EU partners to reinforce the message that EU membership remains an opportunity within a realistic timeframe, and then push for the reforms implementation, as well as strengthening resistance to Russian and Chinese influence on the eve of Europe.

“The strongest message the EU can give now is to decide on start of membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania before the end of this year,” Escobar said.

According to him, further delays in this regard could raise suspicions and risk crushing the hopes of next generation for their European future.

It is for this reason – he went on saying – that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell issued a joint statement earlier this month, stressing that membership in the European bloc is the only way forward for the region.

“U.S. supports economic initiatives that bring countries closer”

Asked by Congresswoman Claudia Tenney whether the United States supports the Open Balkans initiative, Escobar said that the U.S. authorities support any initiatives that bring the countries in the region closer in economic aspect.

“We think that a closer economic cooperation, not only has started to happen, but will also happen. The leaders of the three countries that have launched the Open Balkans initiative have assured us that it is open to all six Western Balkan countries,” he said.

According to him, this initiative cannot work without the participation of all countries.

The Open Balkans Initiative, formerly known as the Balkan Mini-Schengen, was launched by the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, and the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama.

They believe that the initiative offers opportunities to strengthen economic cooperation and free movement.

Escobar noted that this initiative reflects what in the Berlin Process is referred to as the Common Regional Market.

“We believe that everything that states offer to each other will create trust between people, will create opportunities for political movement on some issues,” he said.

He stated that a common market between all states would be very attractive to American companies.

“We want to encourage this, as we want to encourage American investment in the region,” Gabriel Escobar concluded.

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