Truss: Peach to visit the Balkans, the UK is interested in lasting stability

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss held a meeting today, December 13, with six foreign ministers of the Western Balkan countries in London to discuss strengthening economic and security ties and supporting freedom and stability in the region. The new UK Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Sir Stuart Peach, attended these talks, as did the European Union's Special Representative Miroslav Lajčak and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss stated on this occasion:

“The United Kingdom is increasing its efforts to support peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. This is an extremely important moment for the Western Balkan countries, and it is crucial to preserve the peace, freedom, and democracy that were hard-won more than 20 years ago.

I recently chaired a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Liverpool where the Western Balkans were discussed, and the ministers welcomed the increased presence of the United Kingdom.

I want the United Kingdom and our partners to build closer economic and security ties with the region, which will contribute to job creation and development, and help us support a freer, richer, and more secure Western Balkans.

Representatives of the European Union and the US joined me in these talks, where I emphasized the need for us to work together to strengthen efforts to find lasting solutions to reduce tensions in the region. As part of these activities, the United Kingdom has appointed Sir Stuart Peach as its Special Envoy for the Western Balkans. He has many years of experience working in the region as former Chief of the Defence Staff of the British Armed Forces and Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, and he will visit the region tomorrow to take the next step in our engagement.

This is part of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's mission to create a global network of liberty that is based on deeper economic, technological, security, and development ties. As a democracy that values freedom, the United Kingdom will help the Western Balkan countries defend and advance the cause of freedom. They have our full support not only to overcome challenges but also to thrive.”