The US Special Representative for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, said in an interview with the MINA news agency that Washington would not hesitate to use the sanctions mechanism to send a strong message to corrupt people and for those who destabilize the region.

Escobar has said that leaders in the Western Balkans should work for the benefit of citizens and not for the personal benefit of themselves or their parties.
“We will not hesitate to use sanctions and other mechanisms to send a strong message to corrupt and destabilizing actors,” Escobar said.

He further stressed that “the US will be a partner of those who have a constructive and non-destructive approach to the future of the region, which is characterized by EU and NATO membership as well as a transparent and dynamic economy.”

Escobar, while talking about Montenegro, stated that it is irritating how politicians and other actors use the issue of identity to gain political points. He says such a thing hinders progress.

“It is very frustrating and counterproductive that politicians and other actors are using identity themes to gain political points at the expense of economic progress and regional reconciliation,” Escobar added.

A few days ago, the US imposed sanctions on the group of Zvonko Veselinovic and Milan Radojicic, while on Wednesday they imposed additional sanctions on the leader of “Republika Srpska”, Milorad Dodik, as the latter has intensified efforts for secession in recent months and destabilization of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

/Klara Ruci/