Washington, 28 October 2021 (MIA) – The strongest message that the EU can send now is to start the accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania before the end of this year, Gabriel Escobar, United States Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, told a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday. Escobar said the move would repel the disappointment of the region’s population in the European policies and stop the malicious influence of Russia and China, which are working against the Union enlargement in the Western Balkans. At the committee hearing on the U.S. engagement in the Western Balkans, Escobar noted that North Macedonia and Albania have done the difficult tasks they were asked to do and the process must start without delay. “Delaying the process after the Council recommended the start of the negotiations spreads doubt in the region and risks shattering the hopes of the new generations who want a future in the EU,” said Escobar. He recalled on the October 14 joint statement of Secretary of State Antony Blinken and EU High Representative Josep Borrell that European integration is the only hope for the region. Escobar said the U.S. has provided US$ 2,4 billion in assistance for the region over the past decade, with more than EUR 120 million invested in 2021 only to help the area’s EU integration and build resilience to negative outside influence. He pointed out that the Western Balkans is an economically dynamic region that intends to join the European single market. According to him, by working together, the countries will settle political challenges and propel change in order to raise the living standard, stop the brain-drain and ensure the foundations for long-term prosperity.