Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Matthew Palmer in Sofia: We are concerned about Russia's intentions in Western Balkans

Photo: BGNES

In an interview with Radio Free Europe during his visit to Sofia, Deputy Assistant Secretary at U.S. Department of State, Matthew Palmer, in charge of the Western Balkans, has expressed dissatisfaction over blocking the EU accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia.

According to Palmer activities of Russian agents in the region were also a challenge to the European perspective of the Balkans, pointing out the coup attempt in Montenegro. He said the US had a vision for the Western Balkans different than the Russian one. He added that the US vision for the Western Balkans was a positive one for a region that is at peace with itself, with its neighbors; a region that is stable, prosperous and integrated in the European family, while Russia preferred fragmented Western Balkans, where it could raise or lower tensions in order to drive a wedge between the Western Balkans and the West.

In the framework of the visit of Matthew Palmer and First Deputy Assistant Secretary in the US Treasury - Paul Ahern, US Ambassador to Sofia Herro Mustafa gathered for dinner representatives of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ambassadors from countries in the Western Balkans, Greece and Croatia.


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

GERB-SDS will not support second or third exploratory mandate

Without having any clarity on the exact timing of the second exploratory mandate for government formation, GERB said in a media statement that the GERB-SDS parliamentary group will unequivocally not support it under any circumstances. This stance also..

published on 7/9/24 4:32 PM

Police seize 18,000 canisters of laughing gas near Burgas

A special operation on Bulgaria's southern Black Sea coast has seized 18,000 canistars of laughing gas. Warning protocols were issued to 15 people selling laughing gas balloons to stop selling the product to minors and indoors. Specialists from..

published on 7/9/24 3:31 PM

Bulgaria sues Russia's Gazprom Export for 400 million euro

State gas supplier Bulgargaz has filed a lawsuit against Russia's Gazprom Export at the ICC International Court of Arbitration in Paris, the Bulgarian company said. The Bulgarian side is seeking compensation of more than 400 million euro for damages..

published on 7/9/24 1:40 PM