State Department: Southern Interconnection absolute US priority in the region, expecting greater defense spending from BiH

(Patria) - The United States remains committed to the Dayton Peace Agreement, as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to the latest State Department document, reports Politički.ba.

During 2025, as stated, decisive American diplomacy helped end the most serious crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina since the 1992-1995 conflict, while preserving the legal cohesion of the state and the constitutional order.

The administration seeks to strengthen this stability and will continue to encourage actors in BiH to avoid destabilizing and divisive moves that could jeopardize opportunities for advancing the common economic agenda.

The Report to Congress on US Policy on Promoting Regional Stability and Prosperity in the Western Balkans also emphasizes that US policy in the Western Balkans is no longer focused on rescue or reconstruction, but on stability and mutually beneficial partnerships.

The administration is focused on empowering local actors to solve their own challenges, rather than maintaining excessive dependence on international intervention or oversight.

"The United States is ready to provide support where its involvement is desirable and where it contributes to American interests," it states.

Furthermore, Bosnia and Herzegovina is expected to increase its defense spending, "to contribute to regional and global stability." The decision for our country to be represented by its soldiers deployed in Gaza is also welcomed.

It is further emphasized that our country, as well as Serbia, expressed readiness at the security summit in Thessaloniki to increase the capacity for secure and reliable energy supply.

"The State Department will actively engage to translate the expressed interest of the Western Balkan region into concrete commercial agreements," the document states.

In this context, the absolute American priority in the region is the Southern Gas Interconnection, followed by a similar interconnection between Macedonia and Serbia.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is also mentioned in the American interest in building new hydroelectric power plants. As is Albania. Increased US engagement in Serbia and meetings with its leaders are also announced.

"China and Russia are actively seeking to exploit instability, corruption, and poor governance in the region. Maintaining stability and expanding trade cooperation are strong tools for countering malicious influence in the Western Balkans.

Moscow is fueling ethnic tensions, financing destabilizing actors, and using hydrocarbon supplies to pressure politicians and undermine public trust in Western institutions.

China is expanding its 'soft influence,' and Beijing uses trade, state loans, bribes, propaganda, and partnerships with political elites to increase its influence, especially in areas with low transparency and underdeveloped governance systems.

Chinese companies often offer the lowest prices in tenders, only for additional costs and project delays to appear later, significantly increasing the actual expenses.

The administration believes that focusing on regional stability and strengthening trade cooperation are the most lasting defenses against both forms of foreign interference.

Countries with growing economies and transparent institutions are significantly less susceptible to manipulation," the State Department document states.

It is also emphasized that the Donald Trump administration is directing resources towards activities that bring clear and measurable benefits to American interests, prioritizing short-term and verifiable results over long-term and undefined institution-building processes.

It is particularly emphasized that law enforcement programs prioritize operations against organized criminal groups, cybercrime, money laundering, and strengthening border security.

"Public diplomacy resources are focused on strengthening people-to-people ties, educational exchanges, and presenting American economic advantages to the regional public, business communities, and governments.

The administration continues to participate in programs that promote arms control and strengthen a 'burden-sharing' approach within the US security engagement in the region, including arms reduction and elimination, demining, international military education and training, as well as peacekeeping operations," the document adds.