Jovanovic: Shift in US Congress changes dynamics in the Western Balkans

The changes brought about by the US midterm elections could affect the dynamics of Washington’s approach to the Western Balkans, as stronger congressional pressure on Belgrade and Pristina to fulfil their commitments under the agreements on normalization of relations can be expected from January next year, along with pressure on the US administration to reimpose sanctions on former Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, according to Stefan Jovanovic of the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD).

Jovanovic told Kosovo Online that the US President and the State Department have considerably greater autonomy and independence in foreign-policy decision-making than the Democratic majority in Congress, but that a different dynamic should nevertheless be expected in Washington’s approach to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.

“At this point, Pristina has an opportunity to step up its lobbying efforts among Democrats, as we know that it has close ties with the Democratic Party in the United States. However, when it comes to Serbia and the normalization of relations, the State Department and the President have greater influence. A change in US foreign policy and its position on Kosovo can never be ruled out, but Albin Kurti’s government does not have good relations with the Trump administration,” he added.

Jovanovic recalled that Serbia and the United States had launched a Strategic Dialogue, adding that the swift appointment of new US Ambassador Michael Young, together with the formation of a new government in Belgrade, would further strengthen that channel of communication.