Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act

The Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act is a comprehensive U.S. policy proposal aimed at boosting trade, investment, governance reform, and regional resilience across the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia). It combines sanctions authorities, anti-corruption and rule-of-law efforts, regional economic development, cybersecurity capacity-building, and people-to-people exchanges (including university partnerships, the Peace Corps, and a new Young Balkan Leaders Initiative) to strengthen democratic institutions, diversify energy, and integrate the region more closely with European and transatlantic structures (EU and NATO). It also addresses ongoing concerns about Russian and Chinese influence, disinformation, and cyber threats. The bill contemplates a multi-year (8-year) framework with regular reporting, interagency coordination, and a focus on sustainable economic growth, governance reforms, and resilience. In addition to strategy and programming, the bill codifies certain sanctions authorities and lays out exceptions, waivers, and sunset provisions. It envisions a coordinated U.S. effort across diplomacy, development, defense, trade, education, and people-to-people diplomacy to advance democratic values, market-oriented reforms, and energy diversification in the region, while seeking to maintain alignment with EU accession goals and regional initiatives like the Berlin Process and Open Balkan. A notable component is the push to reduce Western Balkan dependence on Russian energy, counter malign influence campaigns, and bolster cyber capacity and resilience. (Sponsors listed include Mr. Keating, Ms. Malliotakis, and Mr. Goldman of New York; introduced in the 119th Congress.)