Balkan countries call on Washington for support in the face of the threat of Russia, China and Iran

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani spoke at a Forum on security issues held annually at the US Congress in Washington.

She emphasized the importance of the United States' continued support for Kosovo and the region in general, which she said is in a fragile state.

"Now that President Trump has returned to the White House, through his peace through strength formula, it is important that America shows true leadership not only towards true friends, but also towards those who are bringing Russia, China and Iran closer to our region," Osmani said, referring to Serbia.

The forum was attended by members of the US Congress, as well as members of parliaments from European countries and the Western Balkans.

They expressed the need for solidarity among democracies in the face of regimes that undermine global order, such as Russia, China, and Iran, and expressed the need for cooperation with the new administration of President Donald Trump amid major global challenges.

Republican Congressman Pete Sessions, one of the organizers of the discussion, told Voice of America that it is in the United States' interest for the Western Balkan countries to be successful and independent, especially from Russian influence.

"We think it's important for our friends, America's friends, to stand together. Members of Congress are an important part of sending a signal of the importance of the region to the stability of the European continent, but also to the interests of the United States," Sessions said.

Sessions said lawmakers like himself will convey this message to the new administration and the new Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, as well as that of the danger of disinformation from Moscow and Beijing.

"The secretary should make sure that this is a priority of the new administration. Donald Trump's goal is for everyone to have a better future not only from an economic point of view, but to see America as their friend," he said.

Former Albanian Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu, who organized the meeting along with Congressman Sessions and his Republican colleague Robert B. Aderholt, said that disinformation is just one element of risk.

"We have a group of actors who want to shift geopolitics, particularly China, Russia and Iran, but also other countries, and in the face of this, I think that communication channels need to be built between Europe and the United States of America," he added.

The majority MP of the Parliament of Albania, Damian Gjiknuri, expressed his country's readiness to cooperate with the new American administration and the need to strengthen democracy.

"We emphasized that a strong America, as President Trump has said, 'America First', I think will also be a strong alliance, because we cannot control events, but the alliance will be able to react to events much better. Of course, Albania is a worthy and active member of NATO, it will do its part for peace and security. But the message that I gave and that came out clearly from this table is the strengthening of democracies. If we have democracy and strong institutions, we will also have a healthier democratic family," said Gjiknuri.

Serbia's representative, Vladimir Marinković, the country's former parliament speaker, rejected the accusations against his country and said that Belgrade is ready for cooperation with the Trump administration.

In the face of major global challenges in the world, Forum participants emphasized the need for coordination at all levels between their countries, as well as the strengthening of major Western alliances. VOA