USA will not hesitate to use sanctions to send a strong message to corrupt actors and those destabilizing the region, the US special envoy for Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, Sloboden Pecat wrote.
In an interview with the Montenegrin agency MINA, Escobar said that the leaders of the Western Balkans must work in the interest of the citizens, instead of their personal and party interests.
“We will not hesitate to use sanctions or other mechanisms to send a strong message to corrupt and destabilizing actors,” Escobar said.
He added that “the United States will be a partner of those who have a constructive rather than a destructive approach to the future of this region, which is characterized by EU and NATO membership, as well as a dynamic and transparent economy.”
As he stated, the Balkans is the fastest growing region in Europe, so the realization of that economic potential should be at the top of Montenegro’s priorities.
“It is very frustrating and counterproductive that politicians and other actors are using identity issues to gain political points at the expense of economic progress and regional reconciliation,” Escobar said.
He added that this is a common tactic in the Western Balkans, where political leaders use historical divisions to, as he put it, sow discord among voters and block the progress of states.
