U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday (Oct. 2) that the United States will continue its policy of engagement with the Balkan countries. The Balkan countries are also considered to be a region that China and Russia have been fighting for as they try to gain political and economic influence in the region.
Pompeo made the pledge during a speech in the Croatian seaside resort of Dubrovnik. Croatia is the last stop on Pompeo’s European tour, after he visited Greece, Italy and the Vatican.
Pompeo told a press conference that “the United States is no longer leading from behind the scenes,” adding that on the diplomatic front, the United States has been very active in the region.
He praised an economic agreement brokered last month by the White House between Serbia and its breakaway former province, Kosovo. Secretary Pompeo said the United States will continue to engage in a serious manner.
We are aware of the influence of China and Russia in the region, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said at a press conference. Our goal is to find a level playing field with China,” the Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said at the press conference.
Kosovo, originally a province of Serbia, declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, and has been considered a hostile state ever since. Serbia has always refused to recognize Kosovo’s independence. This Friday, however, Serbian President Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Horti signed an agreement on “economic normalization” at the U.S. White House under the auspices of President Trump on September 4.
In the late 1990s, as a result of ethnic conflict planning, the Kosovo War broke out from March 24, 1999 to June 10, 1999. After the war ended, the United States turned its primary attention away from the Balkans. Moscow and Beijing quickly filled the void and intensified their engagement in the region. China was seen to be gaining influence in the region through its multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative, while Russia was gaining influence in the region through political pressure.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Starkwell confirmed Friday that Secretary Pompeo will visit three Asian countries next week (October 4-8). President Trump and his wife, Melania, tested positive for the new coronavirus on Thursday. Pompeo’s visit to Japan, South Korea and Mongolia next week demonstrates the strong commitment of the United States to its allies and partners in the region, Stalin said.
While in Tokyo, Pompeo will also participate in a meeting of U.S., Japanese, Indian and Australian foreign ministers to discuss the situation in the Indo-Pacific and the China threat.
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