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Matthew Palmer in Sofia: We are concerned about Russia's intentions in Western Balkans

Photo: BGNES

In an interview with Radio Free Europe during his visit to Sofia, Deputy Assistant Secretary at U.S. Department of State, Matthew Palmer, in charge of the Western Balkans, has expressed dissatisfaction over blocking the EU accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia.

According to Palmer activities of Russian agents in the region were also a challenge to the European perspective of the Balkans, pointing out the coup attempt in Montenegro. He said the US had a vision for the Western Balkans different than the Russian one. He added that the US vision for the Western Balkans was a positive one for a region that is at peace with itself, with its neighbors; a region that is stable, prosperous and integrated in the European family, while Russia preferred fragmented Western Balkans, where it could raise or lower tensions in order to drive a wedge between the Western Balkans and the West.

In the framework of the visit of Matthew Palmer and First Deputy Assistant Secretary in the US Treasury - Paul Ahern, US Ambassador to Sofia Herro Mustafa gathered for dinner representatives of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ambassadors from countries in the Western Balkans, Greece and Croatia.


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