Clinton in Balkans and Brussels next week

"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and Brussels October 11-14," the U.S. Department of State announced. "In Sarajevo, Belgrade and Pristina, the secretary will meet with government and civic leaders, and citizens to highlight the continued U.S. commitment to support all the Balkan states in achieving their aspirations for full integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic community," said a statement issued in Washington. Clinton in Balkans and Brussels next week "In Brussels, she will participate in the NATO ministerial and hold meetings with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and with High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton," the statement read. Hillary Clinton (Beta, file) Importance of Clinton visit Former U.S. State Department official James O’Brien has stated that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit “will reinforce public’s belief that this part of the world remains important to the U.S.”. “The continent will not be safe to the extent it should be until all countries in the Balkans are a part of a safe European neighborhood, which hopefully includes membership in the EU, but also in NATO,” O’Brien told daily Politika. He stressed that the U.S. could not be involved in the Balkans as much as during the 90’s and that it was a “healthy indicator, a confirmation that many problems in the region are becoming political and not those that are solved by violence”. “Upcoming talks of Belgrade and Pristina are an important step toward realization of a goal that both Serbia and Kosovo are in the EU. They are very important because of that, as a proof that two parties can work together as neighbors which in my opinion also includes practical issues, utility bills, phone service etc,” the former State Department official said. As former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s advisor and former U.S. President Bill Clinton’s special envoy for the Balkans, O’Brien participated in many key moments of unfolding of the drama which was caused by breakdown of Yugoslavia during the 90’s including the Dayton Accords and establishment of the Hague Tribunal, and he was among the first western officials who made contact with new Serbian authorities after October 5, 2000, namely with newly elected President of Yugoslavia Vojislav Kostunica.

Clinton in Balkans and Brussels next week

"In Brussels, she will participate in the NATO ministerial and hold meetings with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and with High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton," the statement read.

Importance of Clinton visit

Former U.S. State Department official James O’Brien has stated that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit “will reinforce public’s belief that this part of the world remains important to the U.S.”.

“The continent will not be safe to the extent it should be until all countries in the Balkans are a part of a safe European neighborhood, which hopefully includes membership in the EU, but also in NATO,” O’Brien told daily Politika.

He stressed that the U.S. could not be involved in the Balkans as much as during the 90’s and that it was a “healthy indicator, a confirmation that many problems in the region are becoming political and not those that are solved by violence”.

“Upcoming talks of Belgrade and Priština are an important step toward realization of a goal that both Serbia and Kosovo are in the EU. They are very important because of that, as a proof that two parties can work together as neighbors which in my opinion also includes practical issues, utility bills, phone service etc,” the former State Department official said.

As former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s advisor and former U.S. President Bill Clinton’s special envoy for the Balkans, O’Brien participated in many key moments of unfolding of the drama which was caused by breakdown of Yugoslavia during the 90’s including the Dayton Accords and establishment of the Hague Tribunal, and he was among the first western officials who made contact with new Serbian authorities after October 5, 2000, namely with newly elected President of Yugoslavia Vojislav Koštunica.