Washington, 9 June 2022 (MIA) – The U.S. State Department supports any regional initiative based on European principles, which aims to economically empower Western Balkan countries. This statement comes a day after leaders of the Open Balkan countries (Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia) signed several agreements at the initiative’s summit in Ohrid. A State Department spokesperson refused to comment to Radio Free Europe on the fact that Kosovo refuses to be part of Open Balkan or participate in the meetings, but noted that “closer and more integrated co-operation across the Western Balkans attracts energy investment.” “The United States supports these and other initiatives that deepen regional economic cooperation and promote the European path,” the State Department said. On June 8, U.S. Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, said “for the USA, we do not look at the Western Balkans from the point of view of the problems of the 1990’s; we look at it from the prism of the opportunities of the 21^st century.” He noted that the Western Balkans has the potential to be a hub for renewable energy, it has a capacity for being a hub for liquid natural gas and help Europe unwind itself from dependence of the Russian gas. “The U.S. encourages Open Balkan initiative to remain economic. It is not a political project; it is an important economic project and it is important to remain economic and focus on creating opportunities for the people of the region in this way you will have support,” said Escobar.