The purpose of the order is to combat corruption, strengthen democracy and stability, and preserve the territorial integrity of states in the region.
“Due to the continuous attempts of individuals to threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries of the Western Balkans, as well as to undermine post-war agreements and institutions, we are introducing additional measures within the state of emergency declared in 2001,” President Biden’s order states.
Key points of the executive order
According to the new order, the assets and interests of all persons who act against the stability of the Western Balkans or are involved in corruption will be blocked.
This includes:
Individuals responsible for destabilizing activities or threats to the territorial integrity of the region;
Those who undermine democratic processes and institutions;
Persons associated with serious violations of human rights or corruption in the region;
Leaders or members of entities involved in the above activities.
Also, the asset freeze extends to those who provide support to sanctioned individuals or entities, as well as their spouses and adult children.
The objective of the measure
Measures were introduced to ensure the implementation of key international agreements, including the Dayton Agreement, the Ohrid Framework Agreement and the Prespa Agreement. Special focus is placed on the fight against corruption, which, according to the US administration, undermines the rule of law and trust in democratic processes.
Importance of the region to the US
The executive order is part of the US administration’s broader strategy to preserve peace and security in the Western Balkans. Let us remind you that this is not the first time that the USA has introduced measures to stabilize the region – the state of emergency was declared back in 2001, and was further extended in 2021.
This move shows that Washington continues to monitor developments in the region and support democratic processes, while at the same time fighting against all forms of destabilization.
(Vijesti.ba)
