TIRANA, July 6 – At the current economic growth, Albania and its neighbors will take 30 years before they can catch up with the EU average, which means membership bids will also take a long time, the top U.S. official assigned to the region told media this week.
U.S, Assistant Deputy Secretary of State Hoyt Brian Yee said the countries of the region should focus on economic growth as well as progress in other areas.
“Priority number one should be economic progress. Most of the countries in the region have an annual growth of 3 or 4 percent but with this growth, or even 6 percent, the region will not reach the EU average over the next three decades,” Yee said in an interview with as Serb newspaper.
He added the United States does not close an eye on corrupt politicians in the Balkans, but citizens are also responsible for the choices they make at the ballot box, according the Serb newspaper.
Yee said that Balkan countries should work together with the US and the EU, because whenever the two Western powers had acted together, “there has been progress”.
“We try to reach our common goals together with our partners,” Yee said, according to a report by Radio Free Europe Ra.
He added the United States has proven that it wants Balkan countries to become more stable, more developed and safer.
In another interview with Greek newspaper Kathimerini, Yee said U.S. interest in the region is till high and that there would be no tolerance for border changes.
“The Balkan borders are well defined and there is no room for discussion there,” he told the Greek newspaper.
As for Macedonia, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary said that the doors to EU and NATO are open, if the country fulfills its obligations for reforms.
He adds it is of an utmost importance for Athens and Skopje to agree about the name, since it would serve Euro-Atlantic interests.
When asked if it is true that America’s interest has been reduced in Macedonia and Albania, after President Trump took the White House, Yee answered that the U.S. policy has not changed at all.
