Biden warned by ex-Albanian president: Russia aims to 'subvert European values and institutions' in the region.

Ilir Meta, Albania's former president, advises President Biden not to overlook Albania and the Western Balkans.

Meta, the former president of Albania and current leader of the Party of Freedom, is concerned that the United States is neglecting one of its crucial European and NATO allies.

The former president stated in an exclusive interview with Planet Chronicle Digital that the Balkans is facing challenges due to the current state of affairs and that external forces, including Russia, have attempted to impede the region's progress towards EU integration and NATO membership.

Meta stated that they aim to create a vacuum to be filled by others in order to weaken European values and foundations.

Despite being one of Europe's poorest nations, the small Balkan country has played a crucial role in advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives.

Despite being an authoritarian Marxist country with strained relations with the U.S. during the Cold War, Albania is now one of the most pro-U.S. countries in Europe and has a significant diaspora community in the U.S. However, the amount of attention Albania receives from President Biden and Western policymakers is minimal, despite its efforts to consolidate its democracy.

The Balkans are concerned that they are not receiving the attention they need while the U.S. is prioritizing its support of Ukraine against Russia's invasion and backing Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.

The former president's fears of U.S. absence arise after the news that Aleksandar Vulin, Serbia's former head of intelligence with close ties to Russia and sanctioned by the U.S., will join Serbia's new government. Vulin was accused of being involved in transnational organized crime, illegal narcotics operations, and misuse of public office.

Many in the U.S. and Europe view the announcement as evidence that Serbia remains committed to its pro-Russian stance, despite its pursuit of EU membership.

The State Department spokesperson informed Planet Chronicle Digital that they are dismayed by the presence of two sanctioned individuals in the new government.

The US's primary focus in the Western Balkans is to help the region achieve its economic and democratic potential through Euro-Atlantic integration and regional cooperation. This entails complete alignment with the EU on foreign and security policy, as stated by the spokesperson.

Meta, the former president, cautioned against the "Open Balkans" initiative, which aims to facilitate the movement of people and goods across the Balkans. Although it appears to be beneficial, Meta considered it an "alternative to European integration." He expressed concern that the initiative would strengthen hybrid regimes, such as Serbia, which would threaten free and fair elections, political pluralism, and media and freedom of speech.

Marko Djuric, Serbia's new foreign affairs minister, criticized Meta's portrayal of the Open Balkans Initiative.

Serbia is proud of its democratic efforts, including the Open Balkans initiative. We encourage economic cooperation and connectivity in the region to foster stability and create prosperity for all nations involved. However, we regret that such efforts are misinterpreted as undermining democracy when, in fact, they do the opposite by enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding.

Serbia aims to maintain stability, security, and prosperity in the region and continues to pursue European Union integration, despite skepticism from many in the West.

"Our involvement in the Balkans is based on democratic principles, respect for sovereignty, and regional cooperation. We are dedicated to our EU path while also seeking partnerships that promote peace and development in the region."

According to Agim Nesho, the former Albanian ambassador to the U.S. and the United Nations, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Albanian Prime Minister Rama are the most undemocratic, corrupt, and destabilizing leaders the region has seen in 30 years and are not advancing U.S. or European interests.

According to Nesho and other regional observers, the belief that appeasing Serbia will keep it closer to Europe than Putin's Russia is optimistic thinking and has empowered ultranationalist Serbs and President Vucic to manipulate the West.

The Open Balkans initiative is a platform for aligning policies with Moscow to benefit both Serbia and Russia in the Balkans, according to Nesho. Meanwhile, the U.S.'s failure to confront Serbia's disruptive policies has allowed Vucic to use the Serbian entity in Bosnia-Herzegovina to cause instability and maintain the frozen conflict in northern Kosovo, demonstrating a lack of strategy on the part of the U.S.

Serbia's Foreign Minister Djuric refuted criticism and informed Planet Chronicle Digital that he recently met with the U.S. ambassador to Serbia and emphasized that strengthening cooperation with the United States is a top priority for the Serbian government. In recent years, political, economic, and cultural relations have undergone a positive transformation, and the Serbian government is committed to further enhancing this partnership for the mutual benefit of both nations.

As the president stated recently, Serbian President Vucic has consistently expressed his belief that Serbia belongs in Europe and will remain on the European path. This is a strategic, unwavering position that he will not alter.

The Kremlin has significant influence in the Balkans through its regional allies, and Serbia is a key player in this bid for prominence.

According to Ivana Stradner, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Putin is using the crises in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina to take the focus away from Ukraine and to establish Russia as the sole mediator of the conflict.

According to Stradner, the objective of this plan is to enhance Moscow's regional power and provide Putin with an advantage over Western leaders who are opposed to the escalation of violence.

Meta stated that the people of the Balkans admire the United States as a symbol of democracy and that the country should always remember this.

Meta emphasized the importance of the Balkans for Europe and how Albania can be a long-term partner in addressing global challenges.

The Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's spokesperson did not respond to Planet Chronicle Digital's request for comment before publication.