Washington, 5 November 2024 (MIA) – U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has said if she were elected president of the United States, she would support Western Balkan countries in their efforts to fight against corruption and pursue their Euro-Atlantic integration processes, whereas former U.S. president and Republican candidate Donald Trump has promised economic cooperation and strengthening of security in the region.

Harris and Trump’s election headquarters officials in a written statement to the Voice of America’s Macedonian newsroom presented the positions of the presidential candidates ahead of the U.S. presidential election, taking place Tuesday.

“Harris has been calling for advancing of democracy, rule of law and fight against corruption. The fight against corruption is of key interest of the American national security, which is one of the reasons why Harris is fully committed to advancing the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Western Balkan countries. NATO and the EU are founded on joint democratic values, including strong, independent and responsible institutions,” said the spokeswoman of the Kamala Harris election headquarters in a brief response to a question about the future Western Balkan policy of the Democrats in the United States. 

In 2021, U.S. President Joseph Biden signed an executive order foreseeing blocking of assets and banning entering into the U.S. of individuals that contribute to destabilization in the Western Balkans and actions, which among other things, involve corruption.

The Trump election headquarters has sent the Voice of America a lengthy response to the question about the Western Balkan policy. 

If the Republican candidate were re-elected, his policy would emphasise the pragmatic partnerships focused on stability, economic prospects and the fight against corruption, said Christos Marafatsos, the Vice Chairman of the Trump National Diversity Coalition.

“Trump understands that real peace comes from strong, self-sufficient countries. His administration will focus on strengthening of the economic power and security of Balkan countries allowing them to tackle corruption and external pressure. This means supporting strategic economic trade agreements and anti-corruption measures not only with words, but through effective partnerships, sharing of resources and training that is enhancing local institutions,” said Marafatsos.

He insisted that the Biden administration’s foreign policy has been marked by “inactivity, empty promises and lack of commitment to real understanding of the unique challenges in the region.”

MIA file photo