Skopje, 3 May 2023 (MIA) - Open Balkan is all about creating a sense of good neighborliness. It makes borders points of merger not division, and what is important for any regional integration, especially in the Western Balkans, to be open, said United States Ambassador to Serbia, Christopher Hill on Wednesday.

Hill, a former ambassador to North Macedonia, told conference "Regional Security Challenges and Recent Developments in Western Balkans", organized by the Presidential Center for Political Education, that the point of Open Balkan is to create a feeling of unity and functionality with neighbors.

"Open Balkan creates good neighborliness and facilitates border flows. The point of the initiative is to create ways for cooperation between neighbors," noted Hill.

Asked if there is hope for optimism on the Balkans, the U.S. Ambassador said there was not much to be optimistic about when he had arrived in Macedonia back in 1996.

"And look what happened in the meantime. People have their own expectations, and when you raise the level of expectations, then optimism goes down," said Hill.

According to him, if one sees what has been happening in the country over the past 30 years, "you cannot be anything but optimistic".

On corruption and drug trafficking, he said it is a problem but not an exclusive issue for the Balkans and present in other parts of the world as well.

"It is my personal view that citizens should hold leaders accountable. Nevertheless, focus should be placed on institutions," he added.

The ambassador noted that the Russian leadership "has taken civilization into the woods".

"It is an enormous tragedy what they have done in Ukraine but it is also a huge tragedy to see what they have done to themselves. We must, and when I say we, I am referring to the United States and its allies, emerge victorious and be clear that one cannot attack a neighbor and kill the neighbor's children. We must be clear about this and be prepared to do everything until we prevail," underlined Hill.