Serbia is bright spot on Western Balkans' map

WASHINGTON - Serbia is a bright spot on the map of the Western Balkans, and what is most encouraging is its commitment to the Brussels dialogue it has with Pristina, US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Hoyt Brian Yee said in the US Congress.

The result of this dialogue lies in normalized relations and intensified regional security and understanding, Yee said at a discussion on the Western Balkans at the Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

He added that Serbia has taken steps towards maintaining constructive relations with its neighbors and hosted Albanian Prime Minister last October, which is the first visit at such a level in the last 68 years, the Voice of America reported.

With the exception of Croatia, progress in the Balkans is not as quick as everybody would like it to be, but it certainly has been made. Actually, Serbia is a bright spot on the Western Balkans' map, he stressed.

We continue to support Serbia's aspirations to join the European Union and commend its progress on the path, Yee said.

AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster