US State Department Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar says Washington is working with European allies to open negotiations with Tirana and Skopje.

“The lack of a European perspective has been one of the main factors of instability in the region. I think we need to restore the commitment to membership in the European family of these countries. This makes every state more progressively more democratic and with more stable institutions than before.

This attitude is at the core of our diplomacy and we are working with our European allies to make this promise a reality. “Other chapters of negotiations were recently opened with Serbia, in Montenegro we have a greater involvement and there are clear goals for Albania and North Macedonia”.

Escobar told CNN that the United States wants to fight corruption in the Western Balkans.Escobar said Europe should continue to consider the stick policy and not just a carrot policy for sanctions against those who undermine peace and stability in the region.

/Klara Ruci/