Edward P. Joseph, a lecturer at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, has estimated that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has given the "kiss of death" to the 'Open Balkans' initiative.

"Like the praise that goes to Putin for the 'refreshment' of NATO, the praise for Sergei Lavrov who gave the kiss of death (initiative) to the Open Balkans," Joseph initially wrote on Twitter, the Telegraph reports.

According to him, this idea of ​​the administration of former US President Donald Trump advances the agenda of Russia's strategic partner in the region, Serbia, under the leadership of President Aleksandar Vucic.

1 / Just as thanks go to #Putin for injecting life into @NATO, kudos to #SergeyLavrov for giving the kiss of death today to #OpenBalkan.

This #Trump Administration brainchild advances the agenda of # Russian strategic partner in the region, #Serbia, under @avucic.

🧵

- Edward P. Joseph (@edwardpjoseph) June 7, 2022

In this context, he highlighted the fact that as well as Russia's main medium, "Sputnik Serbia" has consistently supported the 'Open Balkans'.

2 / # Russia main outlet in the country, Sputnik Serbia @rs_sputnik, has supported #OpenBalkans consistently.

And why not?

- Edward P. Joseph (@edwardpjoseph) June 7, 2022

"And why not?

The Open Balkans is an open invitation for Vucic to use Serbia's economic size for political gain - without political constraints or EU values.

Open Balkan = 'Serbian World' through the market for Serbia's smallest neighbors ".

3 / #OpenBalkan is open invitation for #Vucic to exploit # Serbia's economic size for political advantage - free from political constraints or values ​​of #EU.

#OpenBalkan = 'Serb World' via the marketplace for Serbia's smaller neighbors.

- Edward P. Joseph (@edwardpjoseph) June 7, 2022

In this regard, Joseph has drawn attention by saying that what matters is the character of the regime with which you trade.

4 / Believing @avucic wants to join the #EU, US officials have bought into the notion that '#Trade Equals #Trust.'

What counts is the character of the regime you are trading with.

Ask #Ukraine: up to 24 Feb, Russia has been a top trading partner of #Kyiv, for exports and imports.

- Edward P. Joseph (@edwardpjoseph) June 7, 2022

"Ask Ukraine: until February 24, Russia was Kiev's main trading partner for exports and imports.

"Ask Japan, South Korea or Taiwan if trade has built trust with China."

6 / Same story in the #Balkans.

#Serbia is # Montenegro's number one trading partner, for imports and exports - and #Belgrade is in last place in terms of trust.

Montenegro PM's recent endorsement of #OpenBalkan has exacerbated divisions in the country.

- Edward P. Joseph (@edwardpjoseph) June 7, 2022

"The same story applies in the Balkans.

"Serbia is Montenegro's number one trading partner for imports and exports - and Belgrade is in last place in terms of trust."

8 / As @EBRD has noted in its #Bosnia diagnostic, the core economic problems are political in nature.

Just as #Putin has boosted @NATO, hopefully #Lavrov will boost the alternatives to #OpenBalkan that build a Regional Common Market on common #EU values.

- Edward P. Joseph (@edwardpjoseph) June 7, 2022

"As Putin has managed to do with NATO, we hope that Lavrov will promote alternatives to the Open Balkans that build a common regional market on the common values ​​of the EU," Johns Hopkins University professor wrote in Washington, Edward Joseph.

Joseph's reaction comes after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, during a conference in which he spoke about the cancellation of his visit to Serbia, also mentioned the "Open Balkans" initiative.

". Of course, the leaders of Brussels did not want to confirm Russia's position on Kosovo and BiH, to express support for Belgrade's initiative for the Open Balkans and to discuss interests in improving relations between the countries of the region."

Otherwise, the Open Balkans is an initiative that is being supported by Serbia, Albania and Northern Macedonia.

Meanwhile, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to reject it, with Montenegro signaling that it may join the initiative.

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Telegraphy

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