It should pay more attention to the eastern flank of NATO and in particular to restore attention to the situation in the Balkans. I have always believed that Macedonia, which acts as a NATO country should be accepted as such.
This was said by Christopher Hill, a former ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, in an interview with Voice of America in Macedonian language.
- Of course, the situation with Crimea increased East- West tension. It is difficult to say whether this is re-creating the Cold War, but certainly I think we should pay more attention to the eastern flank of NATO and in particular to restore attention to the situation in the Balkans. I have always believed that Macedonia, which acts as a NATO country should be accepted as such. Honestly, I went even further. It is not just NATO. It is broader relationship we have with these countries, says Hill asked whether the crisis in Crimea would affect the NATO to accelerate the process of expansion.
According to him, obviously Russians will do the same in those countries that have not yet been admitted to NATO and underlined the importance of the media, as is the Voice of America to present the views of the U.S. and the EU over Russia to these countries.
- So, I think it is very important to keep this public diplomacy, to ensure that the waves are on. You know, one of the first things Russians did in the Crimea was to exclude all Ukrainian radio and TV stations. Therefore, I think what the Voice of America makes is the Balkans, especially now, perhaps more than ever before, should continue, says Hill.
Christopher Hill is dean of the School of International Studies Joseph Korbel at the University in Denver. During his diplomatic career, he was Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and Ambassador to Iraq, South Korea, Poland, and Macedonia.