US President Joe Biden has signed an executive order to freeze the assets of individuals who, according to the US Treasury Department, have undermined stability in the Western Balkans. In addition to blocking assets, the decree prohibits these individuals from entering U.S. territory.
Below is the text of the presidential letter dated June 8, 2021:
Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate on Blocking Property And Suspending Entry Into The United States Of Certain Persons Contributing To The Destabilizing Situation In The Western Balkans
JUNE 08, 2021
Dear Madam Speaker: (Dear Madam President:)
Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), I hereby report that I have issued an Executive Order in order to expand the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13219 of June 26, 2001 (Blocking Property of Persons Who Threaten International Stabilization Efforts in the Western Balkans), as amended by Executive Order 13304 of May 28, 2003 (Termination of Emergencies With Respect to Yugoslavia and Modification of Executive Order 13219 of June 26, 2001), finding that the situation in the territory of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Republic of Albania (the Western Balkans), over the past two decades, including the undermining of post-war agreements and institutions following the breakup of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, as well as widespread corruption within various governments and institutions in the Western Balkans, stymies progress toward effective and democratic governance and full integration into transatlantic institutions, and thereby constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.
The order broadens the geographic scope of the existing sanctions regime to include Albania and augments designation criteria for current threats to United States national security and foreign policy interests in the region, including obstruction of democratic and judicial processes, corruption, and organized crime.
Actions undermining post-war agreements and institutions following the breakup of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, as well as widespread corruption within various governments and institutions in the Western Balkans, stymies progress toward effective and democratic governance and full integration into transatlantic institutions, and thereby constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. I have therefore determined that it is necessary to block the property and interests in property of any persons who are determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to have undermined democratic processes or institutions, undermined any regional security, peace, cooperation, or mutual recognition agreement or framework or accountability mechanism, engaged in serious human rights abuse, or directly or indirectly engaged in corruption related to the Western Balkans. All executive departments and agencies are directed to take all appropriate measures within their authority to carry out the provisions of the order.
I am enclosing a copy of the Executive Order I have issued.
Sincerely,
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
