http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=95251§ionid=3510203
Press TV May 19, 2009 US eyes Balkan engagement; Biden lands in Bosnia -The visit comes at a time when the US administration seems to be turning its focus on the region. According to the US ambassador to Bosnia, Charles English, Washington wants the people of the region take their place in the EU and NATO. US Vice President Joe Biden arrives in Bosnia in the first leg of his three-day Balkan tour amid Washington's attempts to intensify engagement in the region. Biden on Tuesday landed in Sarajevo where he will spend the day meeting the country's three-person presidency as well as addressing parliament before going to Serbia and Kosovo, the Associated Press reported. In Bosnia, Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslim) and Croat leaders mainly support the visit, but Bosnia's Serbs remain skeptical of the trip. In Serbia, the trip has been perceived with mixed feelings. Serbs have protested to tell Washington to back off from its plans to return to the Balkans. According to Serbian media, officials have announced that maximum security will be provided for Biden during his visit to Belgrade. The Serbian B92 website reported that the entire Serbian air space will be closed for at least two hours as Biden's plane enters it and will be escorted by Serbian military MIG jets. Biden will then head to Kosovo. The US recognizes the independence of Kosovo despite Serbia's rejection. The visit comes at a time when the US administration seems to be turning its focus on the region. According to the US ambassador to Bosnia, Charles English, Washington wants the people of the region take their place in the EU and NATO. The Balkan trip is estimated to cost the White House 10 million dollars, according to a Blic Online report. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "serbia" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/serbia -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
