[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1651 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1651
To encourage increased trade and investment between the United States
and the countries in the Western Balkans, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 17, 2023
Mrs. Shaheen (for herself, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Durbin, and Mr.
Van Hollen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To encourage increased trade and investment between the United States
and the countries in the Western Balkans, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Western Balkans
Democracy and Prosperity Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
Sec. 5. Codification of sanctions relating to the Western Balkans.
Sec. 6. Congressional review of certain actions relating to sanctions
imposed with respect to the Western
Balkans.
Sec. 7. Democratic and economic development and prosperity initiatives.
Sec. 8. Countering malign influence and promoting cross-cultural
engagement.
Sec. 9. Peace Corps in the Western Balkans.
Sec. 10. Balkans Youth Leadership Initiative.
Sec. 11. Supporting cybersecurity and cyber resilience in the Western
Balkans.
Sec. 12. Sense of Congress regarding an interim agreement.
Sec. 13. Sunset.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The Western Balkans countries (the Republic of Albania,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Kosovo, Montenegro, the
Republic of North Macedonia, and the Republic of Serbia) form a
pluralistic, multi-ethnic region in the heart of Europe that is
critical to the peace, stability, and prosperity of Europe.
(2) Continued peace, stability, and prosperity in the
Western Balkans is directly tied to opportunities for
democratic and economic advancement available to the citizens
and residents of those 6 countries.
(3) It is in the mutual interest of the United States and
the 6 countries of the Western Balkans to promote stable and
sustainable economic growth and development in the region.
(4) The reforms and integration with the European Union
pursued by countries in the Western Balkans have led to
significant democratic and economic progress in the region.
(5) Despite economic progress, rates of poverty and
unemployment in the Western Balkans remain higher than in
neighboring European Union countries.
(6) Out-migration, particularly of youth, is affecting
demographics in each Western Balkans country, resulting in
negative population growth in all 6 countries.
(7) Creating an enabling environment for transparent,
accountable, and market-oriented investment and creating
employment opportunities in the Western Balkans, especially for
youth, can provide powerful tools for economic development and
for encouraging broader participation in a political process
that increases prosperity for all.
(8) Offering opportunities for inclusive, transparent
economic growth and merit-based employment to people living in
the Western Balkans will encourage higher levels of trade and
direct investment and support positive economic and political
developments occurring throughout the region.
(9) Existing regional economic efforts, such as the Common
Regional Market and the Open Balkan initiative, when aligned
with European Union standards, norms, and regulations, have the
potential to improve the economic conditions in the Western
Balkans, while promoting inclusion and transparency.
(10) The Department of Commerce, through its Foreign
Commercial Service, plays an important role in promoting and
facilitating opportunities for United States trade and
investment.
(11) Corruption continues to plague the Western Balkans and
represents one of the greatest impediments to further economic
and political development in the region.
(12) Disinformation campaigns targeting the Western Balkans
threaten the credibility of Western democratic institutions.
(13) Vulnerabilities to corrosive capital, malign economic
influence, interference, and economic coercion are acutely
present in Western Balkans economies.
(14) Vulnerability to cyberattacks or attacks on
information and communication technology infrastructure
increases risks to the functioning of government and the
delivery of public services.
(15) United States Cyber Command plays a critical role in
defending the national security interests of the United States.
(16) Securing domestic and international cyber networks and
electronic infrastructure is a national security priority for
the United States, which is exemplified by offices and programs
across the Federal Government that support cyber security,
including--
(A) the Department of Homeland Security's
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency;
(B) the Department of State's Bureau of Cyberspace
and Digital Policy;
(C) the United States Agency for International
Development's Digital Strategy; and
(D) the Department of Energy's CyberForce Program.
(17) Corruption and disinformation proliferate in political
environments marked by autocratic control or partisan conflict.
(18) Dependence on Russian sources of oil and natural gas
for the countries of the Western Balkans ties their economies
and politics to the Russian Federation and inhibits their
aspirations for European integration.
(19) The reliance of the Western Balkans on fossil fuels
for energy sources causes damage to the environment and to
human health, while inhibiting economic development in the
region.
(20) Reducing the reliance of the Western Balkans on
Russian natural gas supplies is in the national interest of the
United States.
(21) The growing influence of China in the Western Balkans
could also have a deleterious impact on strategic competition,
democracy, and economic integration with Europe.
(22) The United States International Development Finance
Corporation plays an important role in the pursuit of United
States policy goals focused on economic development.
(23) In March 2022, President Biden launched the European
Democratic Resilience Initiative to bolster democratic
resilience, advance anti-corruption efforts, and defend human
rights in Ukraine and its neighbors in response to Russia's war
of aggression.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is a sense of Congress that the United States should--
(1) encourage increased trade and investment between the
United States and allies and partners in the Western Balkans;
(2) expand United States assistance to regional integration
efforts in the Western Balkans;
(3) strengthen and expand regional economic integration in
the Western Balkans, especially enterprises owned by and
employing women and youth;
(4) work with allies and partners committed to improving
the rule of law, energy resource diversification, democratic
and economic reform, and the eradication of poverty in the
Western Balkans;
(5) increase United States trade and investment with the
Western Balkans, particularly in ways that--
(A) decrease dependence on Russian energy sources
and fossil fuels;
(B) increase energy diversification, efficiency,
and conservation; and
(C) facilitate the transition to cleaner and more
reliable sources of energy, including renewables;
(6) support the efforts of countries of the Western Balkans
to develop--
(A) strong civil societies;
(B) public-private partnerships and dialogue in
policy development;
(C) independent media;
(D) transparent, accountable, citizen-responsive
governance, including expanded representation for women
and youth in democratic spaces; and
(E) political stability;
(7) support the expeditious accession of the Western
Balkans countries to the European Union and to the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (referred to in this section as
``NATO'') for those that desire and meet the criteria for
membership;
(8) support--
(A) maintaining the full European Union Force
(EUFOR) mandate in Bosnia and Herzegovina as being in
the national security interests of the United States;
(B) encouraging NATO and the European Union to
review their mission mandates and posture in Bosnia and
Herzegovina to ensure they are playing a proactive role
in establishing a safe and secure environment,
particularly the defense environment;
(C) using the voice of the United States in NATO to
encourage alliance planning and support of an
international military force to maintain a safe and
secure environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
especially if Russia blocks reauthorization of the
mission in the United Nations; and
(D) a strengthened NATO headquarters in Sarajevo;
(9) continue security cooperation with the Republic of
Albania, Montenegro, and the Republic of North Macedonia
through the auspices of NATO and through continued bilateral
cooperation;
(10) continue to support Montenegro's ongoing accession
negotiations with the European Union, including by providing
assistance to Montenegro to help the country promptly meet
European Union membership criteria;
(11) continue to support the applications of the Republic
of North Macedonia and the Republic of Albania for European
Union membership by supporting improvement of their respective
abilities to meet democracy benchmarks required for accession;
(12) continue to support the overarching mission of the
Open Balkan initiative provided the initiative remains
inclusive of all Western Balkans countries and remains aligned
with the objectives and standards laid out by the European
Union for requirements for accession to the European Union;
(13) continue to support the pursuit by Bosnia and
Herzegovina of European Union candidate status by encouraging
meaningful advancement of its reform agenda;
(14) continue to support the cultural heritage, and
recognize the languages of the Western Balkans;
(15) coordinate closely with the European Union, the United
Kingdom, and other allies and partners on sanctions
designations and work to align efforts as much as possible to
demonstrate a clear commitment to upholding democratic values;
(16) expand bilateral security cooperation with NATO-
aspirant Western Balkan countries, particularly efforts focused
on regional integration and cooperation, including through the
Adriatic Charter, done at Tirana May 2, 2003;
(17) increase efforts to combat Russian disinformation
campaigns and any other malign, destabilizing, or disruptive
activities targeting the Western Balkans through engagement
with government institutions, political stakeholders,
journalists, civil society organizations, and industry leaders;
(18) develop a series of cyber resilience standards,
consistent with the Enhanced Cyber Defense Policy and Readiness
Action Plan endorsed at the 2014 Wales Summit of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization to expand cooperation with
partners and allies, including in the Western Balkans, on cyber
security and ICT infrastructure defenses;
(19) articulate clearly and unambiguously the United States
commitment to supporting democratic values and respect for
international law as the sole path forward for the countries of
the Western Balkans; and
(20) support the mission of the Peace Corps to promote
world peace and friendship by helping the people of interested
countries to meet their need for trained men and women, which
provides an invaluable opportunity to connect the American
people with the people of the Western Balkans.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate;
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Western balkans.--The term ``Western Balkans'' means
the region comprised of the following countries:
(A) The Republic of Albania.
(B) Bosnia and Herzegovina.
(C) Montenegro.
(D) The Republic of Kosovo.
(E) The Republic of North Macedonia.
(F) The Republic of Serbia.
(3) Western balkans country.--The term ``Western Balkan
country'' means any country listed in subparagraphs (A) through
(F) of paragraph (2).
SEC. 5. CODIFICATION OF SANCTIONS RELATING TO THE WESTERN BALKANS.
(a) In General.--Each sanction imposed through Executive orders
described in subsection (b), including each sanction imposed with
respect to a person under such an Executive order, as of the date of
the enactment of this Act, shall remain in effect, except as provided
in subsection (c).
(b) Executive Orders Specified.--The Executive orders specified in
this subsection are--
(1) Executive Order 13219 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to
blocking property of persons who threaten international
stabilization efforts in the Western Balkans), as in effect on
the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(2) Executive Order 14033 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to
blocking property and suspending entry into the United States
of certain persons contributing to the destabilizing situation
in the Western Balkans), as in effect on such date of
enactment.
(c) Termination of Sanctions.--The President may terminate the
application of a sanction described in subsection (a) with respect to a
person if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional
committees that--
(1) such person--
(A) is not engaging in the activity that was the
basis for such sanctions; or
(B) has taken significant verifiable steps toward
stopping such activity; and
(2) the President has received reliable assurances that
such person will not knowingly engage in activity subject to
such sanctions in the future.
SEC. 6. CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW OF CERTAIN ACTIONS RELATING TO SANCTIONS
IMPOSED WITH RESPECT TO THE WESTERN BALKANS.
(a) Definitions.--
(1) Covered congressional committees and leadership.--In
this section, the term ``covered congressional committees and
leadership'' means--
(A) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate;
(C) the Majority Leader of the Senate;
(D) the Minority Leader of the Senate;
(E) the Committee on Financial Services of the
House of Representatives;
(F) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives;
(G) the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(H) the Majority Leader of the House of
Representatives; and
(I) the Minority Leader of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Joint resolution of approval.--The term ``joint
resolution of approval'' means only a joint resolution of
either House of Congress--
(A) the title of which is as follows: ``A joint
resolution approving the President's proposal to take
an action relating to the application of certain
sanctions with respect to the Western Balkans.''; and
(B) the sole matter after the resolving clause of
which is the following: ``Congress approves of the
action relating to the application of sanctions imposed
with respect to the Western Balkans proposed by the
President in the report submitted to Congress under
section 6(b)(1) of the Western Balkans Democracy and
Prosperity Act on _____ relating to ______.'', with the
first blank space being filled with the appropriate
date and the second blank space being filled with a
short description of the proposed action.
(3) Joint resolution of disapproval.--The term ``joint
resolution of disapproval'' means only a joint resolution of
either House of Congress--
(A) the title of which is as follows: ``A joint
resolution disapproving the President's proposal to
take an action relating to the application of certain
sanctions with respect to the Western Balkans.''; and
(B) the sole matter after the resolving clause of
which is the following: ``Congress disapproves of the
action relating to the application of sanctions imposed
with respect to the Western Balkans proposed by the
President in the report submitted to Congress under
section 6(b)(1) of the Western Balkans Democracy and
Prosperity Act on _____ relating to ______.'', with the
first blank space being filled with the appropriate
date and the second blank space being filled with a
short description of the proposed action.
(b) Submission to Congress of Proposed Action.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, before taking any action described in paragraph (2)(A),
the President shall submit a report to the covered
congressional committees and leadership that includes--
(A) a description of the proposed action; and
(B) a justification for the proposed action.
(2) Actions and sanctions described.--
(A) Actions described.--An action described in this
subparagraph is--
(i) an action to terminate the application
of any sanction described in subparagraph (B);
(ii) with respect to a sanction described
in subparagraph (B) imposed by the President
with respect to a person, an action to waive
the application of such sanction with respect
to that person; or
(iii) a licensing action that significantly
alters the foreign policy of the United States
with respect to the Western Balkans.
(B) Sanctions described.--A sanction described in
this subparagraph is a sanction imposed under--
(i) Executive Order 13219 (50 U.S.C. 1701
note; relating to blocking property of persons
who threaten international stabilization
efforts in the Western Balkans), as in effect
on the date of the enactment of this Act; or
(ii) Executive Order 14033 (50 U.S.C. 1701
note; relating to blocking property and
suspending entry into the United States of
certain persons contributing to the
destabilizing situation in the Western
Balkans), as in effect on the date of enactment
of this Act.
(3) Type of action.--Each report submitted pursuant to
paragraph (1) with respect to an action described in paragraph
(2)(A) shall include a description of whether the action--
(A) is not intended to significantly alter the
foreign policy of the United States with respect to the
Western Balkans; or
(B) is intended to significantly alter the foreign
policy of the United States with respect to the Western
Balkans.
(4) Inclusion of additional matters.--
(A) Additional matters.--Each report submitted
pursuant to paragraph (1) that relates to an action
that is intended to significantly alter United States
foreign policy with respect to the Western Balkans, as
determined pursuant to paragraph (3)(B), shall include
a description of--
(i) the intended significant alteration to
such foreign policy;
(ii) the anticipated effect of the action
on the national security interests of the
United States; and
(iii) the policy objectives for which the
sanctions affected by the action were initially
imposed.
(B) Requests from banking and financial services
committees.--The Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs of the Senate or the Committee on
Financial Services of the House of Representatives may
request the submission to such committee of the matters
specified in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A)
with respect to a report submitted pursuant to
paragraph (1) that relates to an action that is not
intended to significantly alter United States foreign
policy with regard to the Western Balkans, as
determined pursuant to paragraph (3)(A).
(c) Period for Review by Congress.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
during the 90-legislative day period beginning on the date on
which the President submits a report pursuant to subsection
(b)(1)--
(A) in the case of a report that relates to an
action that is not intended to significantly alter
United States foreign policy with regard to the Western
Balkans, as determined pursuant to subsection
(b)(3)(A), the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial
Services of the House of Representatives should, as
appropriate, hold hearings and briefings and otherwise
obtain information in order to fully review the report;
and
(B) in the case of a report that relates to an
action that is intended to significantly alter United
States foreign policy with regard to the Western
Balkans, as determined pursuant to subsection
(b)(3)(B), the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the
House of Representatives should, as appropriate, hold
hearings and briefings and otherwise obtain information
in order to fully review the report.
(2) Exception.--The period for congressional review under
paragraph (1) of a report submitted pursuant to subsection
(b)(1) shall be 120 calendar days if the report is submitted on
or after July 10 and on or before September 7 in any calendar
year.
(3) Limitation on actions during initial congressional
review period.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
during the congressional review period described in paragraph
(1) of a report submitted pursuant to subsection (b)(1)
proposing an action described in subsection (b)(2), including
any additional period for such review as applicable under the
exception provided in paragraph (2), the President may not take
that action unless a joint resolution of approval with respect
to such action has been enacted in accordance with subsection
(d).
(4) Limitation on actions during presidential consideration
of a joint resolution of disapproval.--Notwithstanding any
other provision of law, if a joint resolution of disapproval
relating to a report submitted pursuant to subsection (b)(1)
proposing an action described in subsection (b)(2) passes both
Houses of Congress in accordance with subsection (d), the
President may not take such action until the date that is 12
days after the date on which such joint resolution of
disapproval has been passed by both Houses of Congress.
(5) Limitation on actions during congressional
reconsideration of a joint resolution of disapproval.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a joint
resolution of disapproval relating to a report submitted
pursuant to subsection (b)(1) proposing an action described in
subsection (b)(2) passes both Houses of Congress in accordance
with subsection (d), and the President vetoes such joint
resolution, the President may not take such action until 10
days after the date of the President's veto.
(6) Effect of enactment of a joint resolution of
disapproval.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a
joint resolution of disapproval relating to a report submitted
pursuant to subsection (b)(1) proposing an action described in
subsection (b)(2) is enacted in accordance with subsection (d),
the President may not take such action.
(d) Joint Resolutions of Disapproval or Approval.--
(1) Introduction.--During the 90-legislative day period
described in subsection (c)(1), including any additional period
applicable under the exception provided in subsection (c)(2), a
joint resolution of approval or joint resolution of disapproval
may be introduced--
(A) in the Senate, by the Majority Leader (or
designee) or the Minority Leader (or designee); and
(B) in the House of Representatives, by the
Majority Leader or the Minority Leader.
(2) Floor consideration in house of representatives.--If a
committee of the House of Representatives to which a joint
resolution of approval or joint resolution of disapproval has
been referred does not report the joint resolution to the House
of Representatives within 10 days after the date of referral,
such committee shall be discharged from further consideration
of the joint resolution.
(3) Consideration in senate.--
(A) Committee referral.--A joint resolution of
approval or joint resolution of disapproval introduced
in the Senate shall be--
(i) referred to the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate if the
joint resolution relates to a report submitted
pursuant to subsection (b)(1) that relates to
an action that is not intended to significantly
alter United States foreign policy with regard
to the Russian Federation, as determined
pursuant to subsection (b)(3)(A); and
(ii) referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Senate if the joint resolution
relates to a report submitted pursuant to
subsection (b)(1) that relates to an action
that is intended to significantly alter United
States foreign policy with respect to the
Russian Federation, as determined pursuant to
subsection (b)(3)(B).
(B) Reporting and discharge.--If the committee to
which a joint resolution of approval or joint
resolution of disapproval was referred does not report
the joint resolution to the Senate within 10 days after
the date of referral of the joint resolution, such
committee shall be discharged from further
consideration of the joint resolution and the joint
resolution shall be placed on the appropriate calendar.
(C) Proceeding to consideration.--Notwithstanding
Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, it is in
order at any time after the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate or the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, as the
case may be, reports a joint resolution of approval or
joint resolution of disapproval to the Senate or has
been discharged from consideration of such a joint
resolution (even though a previous motion to the same
effect has been disagreed to) to move to proceed to the
consideration of the joint resolution, and all points
of order against the joint resolution (and against
consideration of the joint resolution) are waived. The
motion to proceed is not debatable. The motion is not
subject to a motion to postpone. A motion to reconsider
the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed
to shall not be in order.
(D) Rulings of the chair on procedure.--Appeals
from the decisions of the Chair relating to the
application of the rules of the Senate, as the case may
be, to the procedure relating to a joint resolution of
approval or joint resolution of disapproval shall be
decided without debate.
(E) Consideration of veto messages.--Debate in the
Senate of any veto message with respect to a joint
resolution of approval or joint resolution of
disapproval, including all debatable motions and
appeals in connection with the joint resolution, shall
be limited to 10 hours, to be equally divided between,
and controlled by, the Majority Leader of the Senate
and the Minority Leader of the Senate, or their
designees.
(4) Rules relating to senate and house of
representatives.--
(A) Treatment of senate joint resolution in house
of representatives.--In the House of Representatives,
the following procedures shall apply to a joint
resolution of approval or a joint resolution of
disapproval received from the Senate (unless the House
has already passed a joint resolution relating to the
same proposed action):
(i) The joint resolution shall be referred
to the appropriate committees.
(ii) If a committee to which a joint
resolution has been referred has not reported
the joint resolution within 2 days after the
date of referral, such committee shall be
discharged from further consideration of the
joint resolution.
(iii) Beginning on the third legislative
day after each committee to which a joint
resolution has been referred reports the joint
resolution to the House of Representatives or
has been discharged from further consideration
thereof, it shall be in order to move to
proceed to consider the joint resolution in the
House of Representatives. All points of order
against the motion are waived. Such a motion
shall not be in order after the House has
disposed of a motion to proceed on the joint
resolution. The previous question shall be
considered as ordered on the motion to its
adoption without intervening motion. The motion
shall not be debatable. A motion to reconsider
the vote by which the motion is disposed of
shall not be in order.
(iv) The joint resolution shall be
considered as read. All points of order against
the joint resolution and against its
consideration are waived. The previous question
shall be considered as ordered on the joint
resolution to final passage without intervening
motion except 2 hours of debate equally divided
and controlled by the sponsor of the joint
resolution (or a designee) and an opponent. A
motion to reconsider the vote on passage of the
joint resolution shall not be in order.
(B) Treatment of house of representatives joint
resolution in senate.--
(i) If, before the passage by the Senate of
a joint resolution of approval or joint
resolution of disapproval, the Senate receives
an identical joint resolution from the House of
Representatives, the following procedures shall
apply:
(I) That joint resolution shall not
be referred to a committee.
(II) With respect to that joint
resolution--
(aa) the procedure in the
Senate shall be the same as if
no joint resolution had been
received from the House of
Representatives; but
(bb) the vote on passage
shall be on the joint
resolution from the House of
Representatives.
(ii) If, following passage of a joint
resolution of approval or joint resolution of
disapproval in the Senate, the Senate receives
an identical joint resolution from the House of
Representatives, that joint resolution shall be
placed on the appropriate Senate calendar.
(iii) If a joint resolution of approval or
a joint resolution of disapproval is received
from the House of Representatives, and no
companion joint resolution has been introduced
in the Senate, the Senate procedures under this
subsection shall apply to the House of
Representatives joint resolution.
(C) Application to revenue measures.--The
provisions of this paragraph shall not apply in the
House of Representatives to a joint resolution of
approval or joint resolution of disapproval that is a
revenue measure.
(5) Rules of house of representatives and senate.--This
subsection is enacted by Congress--
(A) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the
Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively,
and as such is deemed a part of the rules of each
House, respectively, and supersedes other rules only to
the extent that it is inconsistent with such rules; and
(B) with full recognition of the constitutional
right of either House to change the rules (so far as
relating to the procedure of that House) at any time,
in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the
case of any other rule of that House.
SEC. 7. DEMOCRATIC AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPERITY INITIATIVES.
(a) Anti-Corruption Initiative.--The Secretary of State, through
ongoing and new programs, shall--
(1) seek to expand technical assistance in each Western
Balkans country to develop new national anti-corruption
strategies, or to strengthen existing national anti-corruption
strategies focused on priorities, including good governance,
election administration, and transparent economic investments,
taking into account local conditions and contingent on the
agreement of the host country government;
(2) seek to share best practices with, and provide training
to, civilian law enforcement agencies and judicial
institutions, and other relevant administrative bodies, of the
Western Balkans countries, to improve the efficiency,
transparency, and accountability of such agencies and
institutions on priorities, including the promotion of human
rights;
(3) provide to the Western Balkans countries support to
combat corruption, particularly in the judiciary, independent
election oversight bodies, and public procurement processes,
and to strengthen regulatory and legislative oversight of
critical governance areas, such as freedom of information and
public procurement, including by strengthening cyber defenses
and ICT infrastructure networks; and
(4) include the Western Balkans countries in the European
Democratic Resilience Initiative of the Department of State, or
any successor initiative, and considers the Western Balkans as
a recipient of anti-corruption funding for such initiative.
(b) Prioritizing Cyber Resilience, Regional Trade, and Economic
Competitiveness.--
(1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(A) promoting stronger economic, civic, and
political relationships among Western Balkans countries
will enable such countries to better utilize existing
resources and maximize their economic security and
democratic resilience by reinforcing cyber defenses and
increasing trade in goods and services among other
countries in the region; and
(B) United States investments in and assistance
toward creating a more integrated region ensures
political stability and security for the region.
(2) 5-year strategy for economic development and democratic
resilience in western balkans.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State
and the Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development, in coordination with the Secretary
of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Chief
Executive Officer of the United States International
Development Finance Corporation, shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a regional economic
development and democratic resilience strategy for the Western
Balkans that--
(A) considers the full set of tools and resources
available from the agencies overseen by such Federal
officials;
(B) includes efforts to ensure coordination with
multilateral and bilateral partners, such as the
European Union, the World Bank, and other relevant
assistance frameworks;
(C) includes an initial public assessment of--
(i) economic opportunities for which United
States businesses, or those of other like-
minded partner countries, would be competitive;
(ii) legal, economic, governance,
infrastructural, or other barriers limiting
United States trade and investment in the
Western Balkans;
(iii) the effectiveness of existing
regional cooperation initiatives, such as the
Open Balkan initiative and the Western Balkans
Common Regional Market; and
(iv) ways to increase United States trade
and investment in the Western Balkans;
(D) develops human and institutional capacity and
infrastructure across multiple sectors of economies,
including clean energy, energy efficiency, agriculture,
small and medium-sized enterprise development, health,
and cyber security;
(E) assists with the development and implementation
of regional and international trade agreements;
(F) supports women-owned enterprises and gender
equality;
(G) promotes government and civil society policies
and programs that combat corruption and encourage
transparency, free and fair competition, sound
governance, judicial reform, environmental protection,
and business environments conducive to sustainable and
inclusive economic growth; and
(H) includes a public diplomacy strategy that
describes the actions that will be taken by relevant
agencies to ensure that populations in the Western
Balkans are aware of the development activities of the
United States Government.
(3) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall provide a
briefing to the appropriate congressional committees that
describes the progress made towards developing the strategy
required under paragraph (2).
(c) Regional Trade and Development Initiative.--
(1) Authorization.--The Secretary of State and the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development, in coordination with the Chief Executive Officer
of the United States International Development Finance
Corporation and the Secretary of Commerce, shall coordinate a
regional trade and development initiative for the region
comprised of each Western Balkans country and any European
Union member country that shares a border with a Western
Balkans country (referred to in this subsection as the
``Western Balkans region'') in accordance with this subsection.
(2) Initiative elements.--The initiative authorized under
paragraph (1) shall--
(A) promote private sector growth and
competitiveness and increase the capacity of
businesses, particularly small and medium-sized
enterprises, in the Western Balkans region;
(B) seek to increase intraregional exports to
countries in the Balkans and European Union member
states;
(C) advance opportunities to increase United States
exports to, and investments in, countries in the
Balkans;
(D) support startup companies in the Western
Balkans region by--
(i) providing training in business skills
and leadership;
(ii) providing opportunities to connect to
sources of capital; and
(iii) encouraging startup companies that
are led by youth or women;
(E) encourage and promote inward and outward trade
and investment through engagement with the Western
Balkans diaspora community in the United States and
abroad;
(F) provide assistance to the governments and civil
society organizations of Western Balkans countries,
through an inclusive process incorporating the input of
local private sector and civil society stakeholders, to
develop--
(i) regulations to ensure fair,
transparent, and effective investment; and
(ii) economic security policies, such as
foreign direct investment screening mechanisms
and anti-coercion initiatives, to identify and
counter corrosive and malign investments and
use of economic coercion by foreign countries
potentially in the areas of critical
infrastructure, critical technologies, dual use
items, media, supply of critical inputs, and
access to sensitive information and data;
(G) review existing assistance programming relating
to the Western Balkans across Federal agencies--
(i) to eliminate duplication; and
(ii) to identify areas of coordination
within the Western Balkans region;
(H) identify areas where application of additional
resources could expand successful programs to 1 or more
countries in the Western Balkans region by building on
the existing experience and program architecture;
(I) compare existing single-country sector analyses
to determine areas of focus that would benefit from a
regional approach with respect to the Western Balkans
region; and
(J) promote intraregional trade throughout the
Western Balkans region through--
(i) programming, including grants,
cooperative agreements, and other forms of
assistance;
(ii) expanding awareness of the
availability of loans and other financial
instruments from the United States Government,
including from the United States International
Development Finance Corporation and the Export-
Import Bank of the United States; and
(iii) coordinating access to existing trade
instruments available through allies and
partners in the Western Balkans region,
including the European Union and international
financial institutions.
(3) Support for regional infrastructure projects.--The
initiative authorized under paragraph (1), consistent with the
BUILD Act of 2018 (division F of Public Law 115-254) and the
European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 (title
XX of division P of Public Law 116-94), should facilitate and
prioritize support for regional infrastructure projects,
including--
(A) transportation projects that build roads,
bridges, railways and other physical infrastructure to
facilitate travel of goods and people throughout the
Western Balkans region, particularly international
travel;
(B) technical support and investments needed to
meet United States and European Union standards for air
travel, including screening and information sharing;
(C) the development of telecommunications networks
from trusted providers;
(D) infrastructure projects that connect Western
Balkan countries to each other and to countries with
which they share a border;
(E) the effective analysis of tenders and
transparent procurement processes;
(F) investment transparency programs that will help
countries in the Western Balkans analyze gaps and
establish institutional and regulatory reforms
necessary--
(i) to create an enabling environment for
trade and investment; and
(ii) to strengthen protections against
suspect investments through public procurement
and privatization and through foreign direct
investments;
(G) sharing best practices learned from the United
States and other international partners to ensure that
institutional and regulatory mechanisms for addressing
these issues are fair, nonarbitrary, effective, and
free from corruption;
(H) projects that reduce reliance on fossil fuels
and facilitate the transition to clean sources of
energy;
(I) technical assistance and generating private
investment in projects that promote connectivity and
energy-sharing in the Western Balkans region;
(J) technical assistance to support regional
collaboration on environmental protection that includes
governmental, political, civic, and business
stakeholders; and
(K) technical assistance to develop financing
options and help create linkages with potential
financing institutions and investors.
(4) Loans.--
(A) In general.--Amounts appropriated under the
headings economic support fund and assistance for
europe, eurasia and central asia in any Act making
appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs may be made available
for the costs (as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 661a)), of
loan guarantees, including the cost of modifying loans
and loan guarantees, for programs, projects, or
activities in any Western Balkans country, which are
authorized to be provided.
(B) Classification of loans and loan guarantees.--
Amounts made available under subparagraph (A) for the
costs of loans and loan guarantees, including the cost
of modifying loans and loan guarantees, shall not be
considered assistance for the purposes of any
provisions of law limiting assistance to a country.
(C) Consultation and notification.--Amounts made
available under this subsection shall be subject to--
(i) prior consultation with the appropriate
congressional committees; and
(ii) the regular notification procedures of
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate
and the Committee on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives.
(5) Requirements.--All programming under the initiative
authorized under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) be open to the participation of each Western
Balkan country;
(B) be consistent with European Union accession
requirements;
(C) be focused on retaining talent within the
Western Balkans;
(D) promote government policies in Western Balkan
countries that encourage free and fair competition,
sound governance, environmental protection, and
business environments that are conducive to sustainable
and inclusive economic growth;
(E) include gender analysis and efforts to promote
gender equity;
(F) include a public diplomacy strategy to inform
local and regional audiences in the Western Balkans
region about the initiative, including specific
programs and projects; and
(G) support the Western Balkans countries in
meeting international commitments agreed to by the
European Union on clean energy and energy security
goals.
(d) United States International Development Finance Corporation.--
(1) Appointments.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Chief Executive Officer of the United
States International Development Finance Corporation, in
collaboration with the Secretary of State, should take steps to
ensure that--
(A) a regional office of the United States
International Development Finance Corporation with
responsibilities for the Western Balkans is established
and operational in the Western Balkans region; and
(B) sufficient full-time employees of the United
States International Development Finance Corporation,
including at least 1 permanent hire from the United
States, are stationed in the regional office to serve
United States interests in the Western Balkans.
(2) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive Officer of the
United States International Development Finance Corporation
shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional
committees that includes--
(A) a summary of the steps that have been taken to
fulfill the requirements under paragraph (1);
(B) an account of any additional resources and
authorities needed to complete the requirements under
paragraph (1); and
(C) a description of the initial outreach plan for
the new regional office of the United States
International Development Finance Corporation.
(3) Joint report.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive Officer of
the United States International Development Finance
Corporation, the Secretary of State, and the Administrator of
the United States Agency for International Development shall
submit a joint report to the appropriate congressional
committees that includes--
(A) an assessment of the benefits of providing
sovereign loan guarantees to countries in the Western
Balkans to support infrastructure and energy
diversification projects;
(B) an outline of additional resources, such as
tools, funding, and personnel, which may be required to
offer sovereign loan guarantees; and
(C) an assessment of how the United States
International Development Finance Corporation can
deploy its insurance products in support of bonds or
other instruments issued to raise capital through
United States financial markets.
SEC. 8. COUNTERING MALIGN INFLUENCE AND PROMOTING CROSS-CULTURAL
ENGAGEMENT.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) promoting university partnerships in the Western
Balkans, particularly in traditionally under-served
communities, advances United States foreign policy goals and
requires a whole of government approach, including the
utilization of public-private partnerships;
(2) such university partnerships would provide
opportunities for exchanging academic ideas, technical
expertise, research, and cultural understanding for the benefit
of the United States; and
(3) the 6 countries in the Western Balkans meet the
requirements under section 105(c)(4) of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151c(c)(4)).
(b) University Partnerships.--The President, working through the
Secretary of State, is authorized to provide assistance, consistent
with section 105 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2151c), to promote the establishment of university partnerships between
the United States and the Western Balkans, including--
(1) supporting research and analysis on foreign policy,
cyber resilience, economic resilience, and disinformation;
(2) working with partner governments to reform policies,
improve curricula, strengthen data systems, train teachers, and
provide quality, inclusive learning materials;
(3) providing individuals, particularly at-risk youth,
women, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable,
marginalized, or underserved communities, with relevant
education, training, and skills for meaningful employment;
(4) removing barriers to entering formal education for out-
of-school individuals, assisting such individuals to stay in
school, and providing an opportunity for any individuals left
behind to catch up on schooling;
(5) promoting teaching and research exchanges between
institutions of higher education in the Western Balkans and in
the United States; and
(6) encouraging alliances and exchanges with like-minded
institutions of education within the Western Balkans and the
larger European continent.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years
2024 through 2028 to carry out this section.
SEC. 9. PEACE CORPS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Peace Corps should be reinstated in the Western
Balkans by reopening Peace Corps programs in as many Western
Balkans countries as safely possible, including where the Peace
Corps had previously operated, or has suspended operations due
to the COVID-19 pandemic;
(2) the Peace Corps should reopen its programs in as many
of the Western Balkans countries as possible, including where
the Peace Corps operated previously, but later suspended
operations; and
(3) the Peace Corps, whose mission is to promote world
peace and friendship, in part by helping the people of
interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and
women, provides an invaluable opportunity to connect the people
of the United States with the people of the Western Balkans.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Peace Corps shall submit a
report to the appropriate congressional committees that includes--
(1) an analysis of current opportunities for Peace Corps
expansion in the Western Balkans region; and
(2) a plan and timeline for implementing the outcomes
described in subsection (a) to facilitate expansion of Peace
Corps presence in the Western Balkans region, as appropriate.
SEC. 10. BALKANS YOUTH LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that regular
people-to-people exchange programs that bring religious leaders,
journalists, civil society members, politicians, and other individuals
from the Western Balkans to the United States will strengthen existing
relationships and advance United States interests and shared values in
the Western Balkans region.
(b) Authorization.--The Secretary of State shall further develop
and implement a program, which shall be known as the ``Balkans Youth
Leadership Initiative'' (referred to in this section as ``BOLD'') that
promotes educational and professional development for young adult
leaders and professionals in the Western Balkans who have demonstrated
a passion to contribute to the continued development of the Western
Balkans region.
(c) Conduct of Initiative.--The goals of BOLD shall be--
(1) to build the capacity of young Balkan leaders in the
Western Balkans in the areas of business and information
technology, cyber security and digitization, agriculture, civic
engagement, and public administration;
(2) to support young Balkan leaders by offering
professional development, training, and networking
opportunities, particularly in the areas of leadership,
innovation, civic engagement, elections, human rights,
entrepreneurship, good governance, and public administration;
(3) to support young political, parliamentary, and civic
Balkan leaders in collaboration on regional initiatives related
to good governance, environmental protection, government
ethics, and minority inclusion; and
(4) to provide increased economic and technical assistance
to young Balkan leaders to promote economic growth and
strengthen ties between businesses in the United States and in
the Western Balkans.
(d) Fellowships.--Under BOLD, the Secretary of State shall award
fellowships to young leaders from the Western Balkans who--
(1) are between 25 and 35 years of age;
(2) have demonstrated strong capabilities in
entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and leadership;
(3) have had a positive impact in their communities,
organizations, or institutions, including by promoting cross-
regional and multiethnic cooperation; and
(4) represent a cross-section of gender, regional, and
ethnic diversity.
(e) Public Engagement Center.--Under BOLD, the Secretary of State
may seek to procure space, hire staff, and develop programming for the
establishment of a flagship public engagement and leadership center in
the Western Balkans that seeks--
(1) to counter disinformation and malign influence;
(2) to promote cross-cultural engagement;
(3) to provide training for young leaders from the Western
Balkans described in subsection (d); and
(4) to harmonize the efforts of existing venues throughout
the Western Balkans established by the Office of American
Spaces.
(f) Briefing on Certain Exchange Programs.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, acting
through the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and
Cultural Affairs, shall provide a briefing to the appropriate
congressional committees that describes the status of exchange
programs involving the Western Balkans region.
(2) Elements.--The briefing required under paragraph (1)
shall--
(A) assess the factors constraining the number and
frequency of participants from Western Balkans
countries in the International Visitor Leadership
Program of the Department of State;
(B) identify the resources that are necessary to
address the factors described in subparagraph (A); and
(C) describe a strategy for connecting alumni and
participants of professional development exchange
programs of the Department of State in the Western
Balkans with alumni and participants from other
countries in Europe, to enhance inter-region and intra-
region people-to-people ties.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years
2024 through 2028 to carry out this section.
SEC. 11. SUPPORTING CYBERSECURITY AND CYBER RESILIENCE IN THE WESTERN
BALKANS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) United States support for cyber security, cyber
resilience, and secure ICT infrastructure in Western Balkans
countries will strengthen the region's ability to defend itself
from and respond to malicious cyber activity conducted by
nonstate actors and foreign actors, including foreign
governments that seek to influence the region;
(2) insecure ICT networks that are vulnerable to
manipulation can increase opportunities for--
(A) the spread of disinformation; and
(B) disrupting or disabling critical
infrastructure, including energy, telecommunications,
water, health, finance, and other infrastructure that
provides essential services to citizens;
(3) the spread of disinformation is a transnational threat;
and
(4) it is in the national security interest of the United
States to support the cyber security and cyber resilience of
Western Balkans countries.
(b) Report on Digital Ecosystems.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a Digital Ecosystem Country
Assessment for each Western Balkans country that did not undergo a
Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment before the date of the enactment
of this Act.
(c) Interagency Report on Cyber Security and Cyber Resilience in
Western Balkans Countries.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and other
relevant Federal Government agencies, shall submit a report to the
appropriate congressional committees that contains--
(1) an overview of interagency efforts to strengthen cyber
security and cyber resilience efforts in Western Balkans
countries;
(2) a strategy to better strengthen the cyber security and
cyber resilience of each Western Balkans country;
(3) a review of existing United States Government cyber
security initiatives that--
(A) counter disinformation in Western Balkans
countries;
(B) strengthen ICT infrastructure and cyber
security capacity in the Western Balkans; and
(C) support democracy and internet freedom in
Western Balkans countries;
(4) an assessment of cyber threat information sharing
between the United States and Western Balkans countries;
(5) an assessment of options for the United States to
better support cyber security and cyber resilience in Western
Balkans countries, including the posting of cyber professionals
to United States diplomatic posts in Western Balkans countries
and providing relevant training, such as technical capacity
building and response and recovery efforts to Foreign Service
Officers; and
(6) a determination of United States additional support
needed for the cyber security and cyber resilience Albania,
Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Croatia, which are NATO
allies.
SEC. 12. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING AN INTERIM AGREEMENT.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Agreement on the Path to Normalization of
Relations, which was agreed to by Kosovo and Serbia on February
27, 2023, with the facilitation of the European Union, is a
positive step forward in advancing normalization between the 2
countries;
(2) Serbia and Kosovo should seek to make immediate
progress on the Implementation Annex to the agreement referred
to in paragraph (1);
(3) the Department of State shall provide to the
appropriate congressional committees an evaluation of each
country's progress on the Implementation Annex referred to in
paragraph (2);
(4) the United States should not consider advancing the
initiatives referred to in this Act to such country until
sufficient progress has been made on the Implementation Annex;
(5) once sufficient progress has been made on the
Implementation Annex, the United States should consider
advancing additional initiatives to strengthen bilateral
relations with both countries, which could include--
(A) establishing bilateral strategic dialogues; and
(B) advancing concrete initiatives to deepen trade
and investment with both countries; and
(6) the United States should continue to support a
comprehensive final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia based
on mutual recognition.
SEC. 13. SUNSET.
Sections 5 and 6 of this Act shall cease to be effective on the
date that is 10 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
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