Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act

Subjects: International Affairs


<html><body><pre>[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1651 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

&lt;DOC&gt;






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1651

 To encourage increased trade and investment between the United States 
   and the countries in the Western Balkans, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 17, 2023

Mrs. Shaheen (for herself, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Durbin, and Mr. 
  Van Hollen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
             referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To encourage increased trade and investment between the United States 
   and the countries in the Western Balkans, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Western Balkans 
Democracy and Prosperity Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
Sec. 5. Codification of sanctions relating to the Western Balkans.
Sec. 6. Congressional review of certain actions relating to sanctions 
                            imposed with respect to the Western 
                            Balkans.
Sec. 7. Democratic and economic development and prosperity initiatives.
Sec. 8. Countering malign influence and promoting cross-cultural 
                            engagement.
Sec. 9. Peace Corps in the Western Balkans.
Sec. 10. Balkans Youth Leadership Initiative.
Sec. 11. Supporting cybersecurity and cyber resilience in the Western 
                            Balkans.
Sec. 12. Sense of Congress regarding an interim agreement.
Sec. 13. Sunset.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The Western Balkans countries (the Republic of Albania, 
        Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Kosovo, Montenegro, the 
        Republic of North Macedonia, and the Republic of Serbia) form a 
        pluralistic, multi-ethnic region in the heart of Europe that is 
        critical to the peace, stability, and prosperity of Europe.
            (2) Continued peace, stability, and prosperity in the 
        Western Balkans is directly tied to opportunities for 
        democratic and economic advancement available to the citizens 
        and residents of those 6 countries.
            (3) It is in the mutual interest of the United States and 
        the 6 countries of the Western Balkans to promote stable and 
        sustainable economic growth and development in the region.
            (4) The reforms and integration with the European Union 
        pursued by countries in the Western Balkans have led to 
        significant democratic and economic progress in the region.
            (5) Despite economic progress, rates of poverty and 
        unemployment in the Western Balkans remain higher than in 
        neighboring European Union countries.
            (6) Out-migration, particularly of youth, is affecting 
        demographics in each Western Balkans country, resulting in 
        negative population growth in all 6 countries.
            (7) Creating an enabling environment for transparent, 
        accountable, and market-oriented investment and creating 
        employment opportunities in the Western Balkans, especially for 
        youth, can provide powerful tools for economic development and 
        for encouraging broader participation in a political process 
        that increases prosperity for all.
            (8) Offering opportunities for inclusive, transparent 
        economic growth and merit-based employment to people living in 
        the Western Balkans will encourage higher levels of trade and 
        direct investment and support positive economic and political 
        developments occurring throughout the region.
            (9) Existing regional economic efforts, such as the Common 
        Regional Market and the Open Balkan initiative, when aligned 
        with European Union standards, norms, and regulations, have the 
        potential to improve the economic conditions in the Western 
        Balkans, while promoting inclusion and transparency.
            (10) The Department of Commerce, through its Foreign 
        Commercial Service, plays an important role in promoting and 
        facilitating opportunities for United States trade and 
        investment.
            (11) Corruption continues to plague the Western Balkans and 
        represents one of the greatest impediments to further economic 
        and political development in the region.
            (12) Disinformation campaigns targeting the Western Balkans 
        threaten the credibility of Western democratic institutions.
            (13) Vulnerabilities to corrosive capital, malign economic 
        influence, interference, and economic coercion are acutely 
        present in Western Balkans economies.
            (14) Vulnerability to cyberattacks or attacks on 
        information and communication technology infrastructure 
        increases risks to the functioning of government and the 
        delivery of public services.
            (15) United States Cyber Command plays a critical role in 
        defending the national security interests of the United States.
            (16) Securing domestic and international cyber networks and 
        electronic infrastructure is a national security priority for 
        the United States, which is exemplified by offices and programs 
        across the Federal Government that support cyber security, 
        including--
                    (A) the Department of Homeland Security's 
                Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency;
                    (B) the Department of State's Bureau of Cyberspace 
                and Digital Policy;
                    (C) the United States Agency for International 
                Development's Digital Strategy; and
                    (D) the Department of Energy's CyberForce Program.
            (17) Corruption and disinformation proliferate in political 
        environments marked by autocratic control or partisan conflict.
            (18) Dependence on Russian sources of oil and natural gas 
        for the countries of the Western Balkans ties their economies 
        and politics to the Russian Federation and inhibits their 
        aspirations for European integration.
            (19) The reliance of the Western Balkans on fossil fuels 
        for energy sources causes damage to the environment and to 
        human health, while inhibiting economic development in the 
        region.
            (20) Reducing the reliance of the Western Balkans on 
        Russian natural gas supplies is in the national interest of the 
        United States.
            (21) The growing influence of China in the Western Balkans 
        could also have a deleterious impact on strategic competition, 
        democracy, and economic integration with Europe.
            (22) The United States International Development Finance 
        Corporation plays an important role in the pursuit of United 
        States policy goals focused on economic development.
            (23) In March 2022, President Biden launched the European 
        Democratic Resilience Initiative to bolster democratic 
        resilience, advance anti-corruption efforts, and defend human 
        rights in Ukraine and its neighbors in response to Russia's war 
        of aggression.

SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is a sense of Congress that the United States should--
            (1) encourage increased trade and investment between the 
        United States and allies and partners in the Western Balkans;
            (2) expand United States assistance to regional integration 
        efforts in the Western Balkans;
            (3) strengthen and expand regional economic integration in 
        the Western Balkans, especially enterprises owned by and 
        employing women and youth;
            (4) work with allies and partners committed to improving 
        the rule of law, energy resource diversification, democratic 
        and economic reform, and the eradication of poverty in the 
        Western Balkans;
            (5) increase United States trade and investment with the 
        Western Balkans, particularly in ways that--
                    (A) decrease dependence on Russian energy sources 
                and fossil fuels;
                    (B) increase energy diversification, efficiency, 
                and conservation; and
                    (C) facilitate the transition to cleaner and more 
                reliable sources of energy, including renewables;
            (6) support the efforts of countries of the Western Balkans 
        to develop--
                    (A) strong civil societies;
                    (B) public-private partnerships and dialogue in 
                policy development;
                    (C) independent media;
                    (D) transparent, accountable, citizen-responsive 
                governance, including expanded representation for women 
                and youth in democratic spaces; and
                    (E) political stability;
            (7) support the expeditious accession of the Western 
        Balkans countries to the European Union and to the North 
        Atlantic Treaty Organization (referred to in this section as 
        ``NATO'') for those that desire and meet the criteria for 
        membership;
            (8) support--
                    (A) maintaining the full European Union Force 
                (EUFOR) mandate in Bosnia and Herzegovina as being in 
                the national security interests of the United States;
                    (B) encouraging NATO and the European Union to 
                review their mission mandates and posture in Bosnia and 
                Herzegovina to ensure they are playing a proactive role 
                in establishing a safe and secure environment, 
                particularly the defense environment;
                    (C) using the voice of the United States in NATO to 
                encourage alliance planning and support of an 
                international military force to maintain a safe and 
                secure environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 
                especially if Russia blocks reauthorization of the 
                mission in the United Nations; and
                    (D) a strengthened NATO headquarters in Sarajevo;
            (9) continue security cooperation with the Republic of 
        Albania, Montenegro, and the Republic of North Macedonia 
        through the auspices of NATO and through continued bilateral 
        cooperation;
            (10) continue to support Montenegro's ongoing accession 
        negotiations with the European Union, including by providing 
        assistance to Montenegro to help the country promptly meet 
        European Union membership criteria;
            (11) continue to support the applications of the Republic 
        of North Macedonia and the Republic of Albania for European 
        Union membership by supporting improvement of their respective 
        abilities to meet democracy benchmarks required for accession;
            (12) continue to support the overarching mission of the 
        Open Balkan initiative provided the initiative remains 
        inclusive of all Western Balkans countries and remains aligned 
        with the objectives and standards laid out by the European 
        Union for requirements for accession to the European Union;
            (13) continue to support the pursuit by Bosnia and 
        Herzegovina of European Union candidate status by encouraging 
        meaningful advancement of its reform agenda;
            (14) continue to support the cultural heritage, and 
        recognize the languages of the Western Balkans;
            (15) coordinate closely with the European Union, the United 
        Kingdom, and other allies and partners on sanctions 
        designations and work to align efforts as much as possible to 
        demonstrate a clear commitment to upholding democratic values;
            (16) expand bilateral security cooperation with NATO-
        aspirant Western Balkan countries, particularly efforts focused 
        on regional integration and cooperation, including through the 
        Adriatic Charter, done at Tirana May 2, 2003;
            (17) increase efforts to combat Russian disinformation 
        campaigns and any other malign, destabilizing, or disruptive 
        activities targeting the Western Balkans through engagement 
        with government institutions, political stakeholders, 
        journalists, civil society organizations, and industry leaders;
            (18) develop a series of cyber resilience standards, 
        consistent with the Enhanced Cyber Defense Policy and Readiness 
        Action Plan endorsed at the 2014 Wales Summit of the North 
        Atlantic Treaty Organization to expand cooperation with 
        partners and allies, including in the Western Balkans, on cyber 
        security and ICT infrastructure defenses;
            (19) articulate clearly and unambiguously the United States 
        commitment to supporting democratic values and respect for 
        international law as the sole path forward for the countries of 
        the Western Balkans; and
            (20) support the mission of the Peace Corps to promote 
        world peace and friendship by helping the people of interested 
        countries to meet their need for trained men and women, which 
        provides an invaluable opportunity to connect the American 
        people with the people of the Western Balkans.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
        ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
                Senate;
                    (B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
                    (C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House 
                of Representatives; and
                    (D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
                Representatives.
            (2) Western balkans.--The term ``Western Balkans'' means 
        the region comprised of the following countries:
                    (A) The Republic of Albania.
                    (B) Bosnia and Herzegovina.
                    (C) Montenegro.
                    (D) The Republic of Kosovo.
                    (E) The Republic of North Macedonia.
                    (F) The Republic of Serbia.
            (3) Western balkans country.--The term ``Western Balkan 
        country'' means any country listed in subparagraphs (A) through 
        (F) of paragraph (2).

SEC. 5. CODIFICATION OF SANCTIONS RELATING TO THE WESTERN BALKANS.

    (a) In General.--Each sanction imposed through Executive orders 
described in subsection (b), including each sanction imposed with 
respect to a person under such an Executive order, as of the date of 
the enactment of this Act, shall remain in effect, except as provided 
in subsection (c).
    (b) Executive Orders Specified.--The Executive orders specified in 
this subsection are--
            (1) Executive Order 13219 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to 
        blocking property of persons who threaten international 
        stabilization efforts in the Western Balkans), as in effect on 
        the date of the enactment of this Act; and
            (2) Executive Order 14033 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to 
        blocking property and suspending entry into the United States 
        of certain persons contributing to the destabilizing situation 
        in the Western Balkans), as in effect on such date of 
        enactment.
    (c) Termination of Sanctions.--The President may terminate the 
application of a sanction described in subsection (a) with respect to a 
person if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional 
committees that--
            (1) such person--
                    (A) is not engaging in the activity that was the 
                basis for such sanctions; or
                    (B) has taken significant verifiable steps toward 
                stopping such activity; and
            (2) the President has received reliable assurances that 
        such person will not knowingly engage in activity subject to 
        such sanctions in the future.

SEC. 6. CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW OF CERTAIN ACTIONS RELATING TO SANCTIONS 
              IMPOSED WITH RESPECT TO THE WESTERN BALKANS.

    (a) Definitions.--
            (1) Covered congressional committees and leadership.--In 
        this section, the term ``covered congressional committees and 
        leadership'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
                Affairs of the Senate;
                    (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
                Senate;
                    (C) the Majority Leader of the Senate;
                    (D) the Minority Leader of the Senate;
                    (E) the Committee on Financial Services of the 
                House of Representatives;
                    (F) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House 
                of Representatives;
                    (G) the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
                    (H) the Majority Leader of the House of 
                Representatives; and
                    (I) the Minority Leader of the House of 
                Representatives.
            (2) Joint resolution of approval.--The term ``joint 
        resolution of approval'' means only a joint resolution of 
        either House of Congress--
                    (A) the title of which is as follows: ``A joint 
                resolution approving the President's proposal to take 
                an action relating to the application of certain 
                sanctions with respect to the Western Balkans.''; and
                    (B) the sole matter after the resolving clause of 
                which is the following: ``Congress approves of the 
                action relating to the application of sanctions imposed 
                with respect to the Western Balkans proposed by the 
                President in the report submitted to Congress under 
                section 6(b)(1) of the Western Balkans Democracy and 
                Prosperity Act on _____ relating to ______.'', with the 
                first blank space being filled with the appropriate 
                date and the second blank space being filled with a 
                short description of the proposed action.
            (3) Joint resolution of disapproval.--The term ``joint 
        resolution of disapproval'' means only a joint resolution of 
        either House of Congress--
                    (A) the title of which is as follows: ``A joint 
                resolution disapproving the President's proposal to 
                take an action relating to the application of certain 
                sanctions with respect to the Western Balkans.''; and
                    (B) the sole matter after the resolving clause of 
                which is the following: ``Congress disapproves of the 
                action relating to the application of sanctions imposed 
                with respect to the Western Balkans proposed by the 
                President in the report submitted to Congress under 
                section 6(b)(1) of the Western Balkans Democracy and 
                Prosperity Act on _____ relating to ______.'', with the 
                first blank space being filled with the appropriate 
                date and the second blank space being filled with a 
                short description of the proposed action.
    (b) Submission to Congress of Proposed Action.--
            (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        law, before taking any action described in paragraph (2)(A), 
        the President shall submit a report to the covered 
        congressional committees and leadership that includes--
                    (A) a description of the proposed action; and
                    (B) a justification for the proposed action.
            (2) Actions and sanctions described.--
                    (A) Actions described.--An action described in this 
                subparagraph is--
                            (i) an action to terminate the application 
                        of any sanction described in subparagraph (B);
                            (ii) with respect to a sanction described 
                        in subparagraph (B) imposed by the President 
                        with respect to a person, an action to waive 
                        the application of such sanction with respect 
                        to that person; or
                            (iii) a licensing action that significantly 
                        alters the foreign policy of the United States 
                        with respect to the Western Balkans.
                    (B) Sanctions described.--A sanction described in 
                this subparagraph is a sanction imposed under--
                            (i) Executive Order 13219 (50 U.S.C. 1701 
                        note; relating to blocking property of persons 
                        who threaten international stabilization 
                        efforts in the Western Balkans), as in effect 
                        on the date of the enactment of this Act; or
                            (ii) Executive Order 14033 (50 U.S.C. 1701 
                        note; relating to blocking property and 
                        suspending entry into the United States of 
                        certain persons contributing to the 
                        destabilizing situation in the Western 
                        Balkans), as in effect on the date of enactment 
                        of this Act.
            (3) Type of action.--Each report submitted pursuant to 
        paragraph (1) with respect to an action described in paragraph 
        (2)(A) shall include a description of whether the action--
                    (A) is not intended to significantly alter the 
                foreign policy of the United States with respect to the 
                Western Balkans; or
                    (B) is intended to significantly alter the foreign 
                policy of the United States with respect to the Western 
                Balkans.
            (4) Inclusion of additional matters.--
                    (A) Additional matters.--Each report submitted 
                pursuant to paragraph (1) that relates to an action 
                that is intended to significantly alter United States 
                foreign policy with respect to the Western Balkans, as 
                determined pursuant to paragraph (3)(B), shall include 
                a description of--
                            (i) the intended significant alteration to 
                        such foreign policy;
                            (ii) the anticipated effect of the action 
                        on the national security interests of the 
                        United States; and
                            (iii) the policy objectives for which the 
                        sanctions affected by the action were initially 
                        imposed.
                    (B) Requests from banking and financial services 
                committees.--The Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
                Urban Affairs of the Senate or the Committee on 
                Financial Services of the House of Representatives may 
                request the submission to such committee of the matters 
                specified in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A) 
                with respect to a report submitted pursuant to 
                paragraph (1) that relates to an action that is not 
                intended to significantly alter United States foreign 
                policy with regard to the Western Balkans, as 
                determined pursuant to paragraph (3)(A).
    (c) Period for Review by Congress.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        during the 90-legislative day period beginning on the date on 
        which the President submits a report pursuant to subsection 
        (b)(1)--
                    (A) in the case of a report that relates to an 
                action that is not intended to significantly alter 
                United States foreign policy with regard to the Western 
                Balkans, as determined pursuant to subsection 
                (b)(3)(A), the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
                Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial 
                Services of the House of Representatives should, as 
                appropriate, hold hearings and briefings and otherwise 
                obtain information in order to fully review the report; 
                and
                    (B) in the case of a report that relates to an 
                action that is intended to significantly alter United 
                States foreign policy with regard to the Western 
                Balkans, as determined pursuant to subsection 
                (b)(3)(B), the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
                Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 
                House of Representatives should, as appropriate, hold 
                hearings and briefings and otherwise obtain information 
                in order to fully review the report.
            (2) Exception.--The period for congressional review under 
        paragraph (1) of a report submitted pursuant to subsection 
        (b)(1) shall be 120 calendar days if the report is submitted on 
        or after July 10 and on or before September 7 in any calendar 
        year.
            (3) Limitation on actions during initial congressional 
        review period.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
        during the congressional review period described in paragraph 
        (1) of a report submitted pursuant to subsection (b)(1) 
        proposing an action described in subsection (b)(2), including 
        any additional period for such review as applicable under the 
        exception provided in paragraph (2), the President may not take 
        that action unless a joint resolution of approval with respect 
        to such action has been enacted in accordance with subsection 
        (d).
            (4) Limitation on actions during presidential consideration 
        of a joint resolution of disapproval.--Notwithstanding any 
        other provision of law, if a joint resolution of disapproval 
        relating to a report submitted pursuant to subsection (b)(1) 
        proposing an action described in subsection (b)(2) passes both 
        Houses of Congress in accordance with subsection (d), the 
        President may not take such action until the date that is 12 
        days after the date on which such joint resolution of 
        disapproval has been passed by both Houses of Congress.
            (5) Limitation on actions during congressional 
        reconsideration of a joint resolution of disapproval.--
        Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a joint 
        resolution of disapproval relating to a report submitted 
        pursuant to subsection (b)(1) proposing an action described in 
        subsection (b)(2) passes both Houses of Congress in accordance 
        with subsection (d), and the President vetoes such joint 
        resolution, the President may not take such action until 10 
        days after the date of the President's veto.
            (6) Effect of enactment of a joint resolution of 
        disapproval.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a 
        joint resolution of disapproval relating to a report submitted 
        pursuant to subsection (b)(1) proposing an action described in 
        subsection (b)(2) is enacted in accordance with subsection (d), 
        the President may not take such action.
    (d) Joint Resolutions of Disapproval or Approval.--
            (1) Introduction.--During the 90-legislative day period 
        described in subsection (c)(1), including any additional period 
        applicable under the exception provided in subsection (c)(2), a 
        joint resolution of approval or joint resolution of disapproval 
        may be introduced--
                    (A) in the Senate, by the Majority Leader (or 
                designee) or the Minority Leader (or designee); and
                    (B) in the House of Representatives, by the 
                Majority Leader or the Minority Leader.
            (2) Floor consideration in house of representatives.--If a 
        committee of the House of Representatives to which a joint 
        resolution of approval or joint resolution of disapproval has 
        been referred does not report the joint resolution to the House 
        of Representatives within 10 days after the date of referral, 
        such committee shall be discharged from further consideration 
        of the joint resolution.
            (3) Consideration in senate.--
                    (A) Committee referral.--A joint resolution of 
                approval or joint resolution of disapproval introduced 
                in the Senate shall be--
                            (i) referred to the Committee on Banking, 
                        Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate if the 
                        joint resolution relates to a report submitted 
                        pursuant to subsection (b)(1) that relates to 
                        an action that is not intended to significantly 
                        alter United States foreign policy with regard 
                        to the Russian Federation, as determined 
                        pursuant to subsection (b)(3)(A); and
                            (ii) referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                        Relations of the Senate if the joint resolution 
                        relates to a report submitted pursuant to 
                        subsection (b)(1) that relates to an action 
                        that is intended to significantly alter United 
                        States foreign policy with respect to the 
                        Russian Federation, as determined pursuant to 
                        subsection (b)(3)(B).
                    (B) Reporting and discharge.--If the committee to 
                which a joint resolution of approval or joint 
                resolution of disapproval was referred does not report 
                the joint resolution to the Senate within 10 days after 
                the date of referral of the joint resolution, such 
                committee shall be discharged from further 
                consideration of the joint resolution and the joint 
                resolution shall be placed on the appropriate calendar.
                    (C) Proceeding to consideration.--Notwithstanding 
                Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, it is in 
                order at any time after the Committee on Banking, 
                Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate or the 
                Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, as the 
                case may be, reports a joint resolution of approval or 
                joint resolution of disapproval to the Senate or has 
                been discharged from consideration of such a joint 
                resolution (even though a previous motion to the same 
                effect has been disagreed to) to move to proceed to the 
                consideration of the joint resolution, and all points 
                of order against the joint resolution (and against 
                consideration of the joint resolution) are waived. The 
                motion to proceed is not debatable. The motion is not 
                subject to a motion to postpone. A motion to reconsider 
                the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed 
                to shall not be in order.
                    (D) Rulings of the chair on procedure.--Appeals 
                from the decisions of the Chair relating to the 
                application of the rules of the Senate, as the case may 
                be, to the procedure relating to a joint resolution of 
                approval or joint resolution of disapproval shall be 
                decided without debate.
                    (E) Consideration of veto messages.--Debate in the 
                Senate of any veto message with respect to a joint 
                resolution of approval or joint resolution of 
                disapproval, including all debatable motions and 
                appeals in connection with the joint resolution, shall 
                be limited to 10 hours, to be equally divided between, 
                and controlled by, the Majority Leader of the Senate 
                and the Minority Leader of the Senate, or their 
                designees.
            (4) Rules relating to senate and house of 
        representatives.--
                    (A) Treatment of senate joint resolution in house 
                of representatives.--In the House of Representatives, 
                the following procedures shall apply to a joint 
                resolution of approval or a joint resolution of 
                disapproval received from the Senate (unless the House 
                has already passed a joint resolution relating to the 
                same proposed action):
                            (i) The joint resolution shall be referred 
                        to the appropriate committees.
                            (ii) If a committee to which a joint 
                        resolution has been referred has not reported 
                        the joint resolution within 2 days after the 
                        date of referral, such committee shall be 
                        discharged from further consideration of the 
                        joint resolution.
                            (iii) Beginning on the third legislative 
                        day after each committee to which a joint 
                        resolution has been referred reports the joint 
                        resolution to the House of Representatives or 
                        has been discharged from further consideration 
                        thereof, it shall be in order to move to 
                        proceed to consider the joint resolution in the 
                        House of Representatives. All points of order 
                        against the motion are waived. Such a motion 
                        shall not be in order after the House has 
                        disposed of a motion to proceed on the joint 
                        resolution. The previous question shall be 
                        considered as ordered on the motion to its 
                        adoption without intervening motion. The motion 
                        shall not be debatable. A motion to reconsider 
                        the vote by which the motion is disposed of 
                        shall not be in order.
                            (iv) The joint resolution shall be 
                        considered as read. All points of order against 
                        the joint resolution and against its 
                        consideration are waived. The previous question 
                        shall be considered as ordered on the joint 
                        resolution to final passage without intervening 
                        motion except 2 hours of debate equally divided 
                        and controlled by the sponsor of the joint 
                        resolution (or a designee) and an opponent. A 
                        motion to reconsider the vote on passage of the 
                        joint resolution shall not be in order.
                    (B) Treatment of house of representatives joint 
                resolution in senate.--
                            (i) If, before the passage by the Senate of 
                        a joint resolution of approval or joint 
                        resolution of disapproval, the Senate receives 
                        an identical joint resolution from the House of 
                        Representatives, the following procedures shall 
                        apply:
                                    (I) That joint resolution shall not 
                                be referred to a committee.
                                    (II) With respect to that joint 
                                resolution--
                                            (aa) the procedure in the 
                                        Senate shall be the same as if 
                                        no joint resolution had been 
                                        received from the House of 
                                        Representatives; but
                                            (bb) the vote on passage 
                                        shall be on the joint 
                                        resolution from the House of 
                                        Representatives.
                            (ii) If, following passage of a joint 
                        resolution of approval or joint resolution of 
                        disapproval in the Senate, the Senate receives 
                        an identical joint resolution from the House of 
                        Representatives, that joint resolution shall be 
                        placed on the appropriate Senate calendar.
                            (iii) If a joint resolution of approval or 
                        a joint resolution of disapproval is received 
                        from the House of Representatives, and no 
                        companion joint resolution has been introduced 
                        in the Senate, the Senate procedures under this 
                        subsection shall apply to the House of 
                        Representatives joint resolution.
                    (C) Application to revenue measures.--The 
                provisions of this paragraph shall not apply in the 
                House of Representatives to a joint resolution of 
                approval or joint resolution of disapproval that is a 
                revenue measure.
            (5) Rules of house of representatives and senate.--This 
        subsection is enacted by Congress--
                    (A) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the 
                Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, 
                and as such is deemed a part of the rules of each 
                House, respectively, and supersedes other rules only to 
                the extent that it is inconsistent with such rules; and
                    (B) with full recognition of the constitutional 
                right of either House to change the rules (so far as 
                relating to the procedure of that House) at any time, 
                in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the 
                case of any other rule of that House.

SEC. 7. DEMOCRATIC AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPERITY INITIATIVES.

    (a) Anti-Corruption Initiative.--The Secretary of State, through 
ongoing and new programs, shall--
            (1) seek to expand technical assistance in each Western 
        Balkans country to develop new national anti-corruption 
        strategies, or to strengthen existing national anti-corruption 
        strategies focused on priorities, including good governance, 
        election administration, and transparent economic investments, 
        taking into account local conditions and contingent on the 
        agreement of the host country government;
            (2) seek to share best practices with, and provide training 
        to, civilian law enforcement agencies and judicial 
        institutions, and other relevant administrative bodies, of the 
        Western Balkans countries, to improve the efficiency, 
        transparency, and accountability of such agencies and 
        institutions on priorities, including the promotion of human 
        rights;
            (3) provide to the Western Balkans countries support to 
        combat corruption, particularly in the judiciary, independent 
        election oversight bodies, and public procurement processes, 
        and to strengthen regulatory and legislative oversight of 
        critical governance areas, such as freedom of information and 
        public procurement, including by strengthening cyber defenses 
        and ICT infrastructure networks; and
            (4) include the Western Balkans countries in the European 
        Democratic Resilience Initiative of the Department of State, or 
        any successor initiative, and considers the Western Balkans as 
        a recipient of anti-corruption funding for such initiative.
    (b) Prioritizing Cyber Resilience, Regional Trade, and Economic 
Competitiveness.--
            (1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
                    (A) promoting stronger economic, civic, and 
                political relationships among Western Balkans countries 
                will enable such countries to better utilize existing 
                resources and maximize their economic security and 
                democratic resilience by reinforcing cyber defenses and 
                increasing trade in goods and services among other 
                countries in the region; and
                    (B) United States investments in and assistance 
                toward creating a more integrated region ensures 
                political stability and security for the region.
            (2) 5-year strategy for economic development and democratic 
        resilience in western balkans.--Not later than 180 days after 
        the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State 
        and the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
        International Development, in coordination with the Secretary 
        of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Chief 
        Executive Officer of the United States International 
        Development Finance Corporation, shall submit to the 
        appropriate congressional committees a regional economic 
        development and democratic resilience strategy for the Western 
        Balkans that--
                    (A) considers the full set of tools and resources 
                available from the agencies overseen by such Federal 
                officials;
                    (B) includes efforts to ensure coordination with 
                multilateral and bilateral partners, such as the 
                European Union, the World Bank, and other relevant 
                assistance frameworks;
                    (C) includes an initial public assessment of--
                            (i) economic opportunities for which United 
                        States businesses, or those of other like-
                        minded partner countries, would be competitive;
                            (ii) legal, economic, governance, 
                        infrastructural, or other barriers limiting 
                        United States trade and investment in the 
                        Western Balkans;
                            (iii) the effectiveness of existing 
                        regional cooperation initiatives, such as the 
                        Open Balkan initiative and the Western Balkans 
                        Common Regional Market; and
                            (iv) ways to increase United States trade 
                        and investment in the Western Balkans;
                    (D) develops human and institutional capacity and 
                infrastructure across multiple sectors of economies, 
                including clean energy, energy efficiency, agriculture, 
                small and medium-sized enterprise development, health, 
                and cyber security;
                    (E) assists with the development and implementation 
                of regional and international trade agreements;
                    (F) supports women-owned enterprises and gender 
                equality;
                    (G) promotes government and civil society policies 
                and programs that combat corruption and encourage 
                transparency, free and fair competition, sound 
                governance, judicial reform, environmental protection, 
                and business environments conducive to sustainable and 
                inclusive economic growth; and
                    (H) includes a public diplomacy strategy that 
                describes the actions that will be taken by relevant 
                agencies to ensure that populations in the Western 
                Balkans are aware of the development activities of the 
                United States Government.
            (3) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall provide a 
        briefing to the appropriate congressional committees that 
        describes the progress made towards developing the strategy 
        required under paragraph (2).
    (c) Regional Trade and Development Initiative.--
            (1) Authorization.--The Secretary of State and the 
        Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
        Development, in coordination with the Chief Executive Officer 
        of the United States International Development Finance 
        Corporation and the Secretary of Commerce, shall coordinate a 
        regional trade and development initiative for the region 
        comprised of each Western Balkans country and any European 
        Union member country that shares a border with a Western 
        Balkans country (referred to in this subsection as the 
        ``Western Balkans region'') in accordance with this subsection.
            (2) Initiative elements.--The initiative authorized under 
        paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) promote private sector growth and 
                competitiveness and increase the capacity of 
                businesses, particularly small and medium-sized 
                enterprises, in the Western Balkans region;
                    (B) seek to increase intraregional exports to 
                countries in the Balkans and European Union member 
                states;
                    (C) advance opportunities to increase United States 
                exports to, and investments in, countries in the 
                Balkans;
                    (D) support startup companies in the Western 
                Balkans region by--
                            (i) providing training in business skills 
                        and leadership;
                            (ii) providing opportunities to connect to 
                        sources of capital; and
                            (iii) encouraging startup companies that 
                        are led by youth or women;
                    (E) encourage and promote inward and outward trade 
                and investment through engagement with the Western 
                Balkans diaspora community in the United States and 
                abroad;
                    (F) provide assistance to the governments and civil 
                society organizations of Western Balkans countries, 
                through an inclusive process incorporating the input of 
                local private sector and civil society stakeholders, to 
                develop--
                            (i) regulations to ensure fair, 
                        transparent, and effective investment; and
                            (ii) economic security policies, such as 
                        foreign direct investment screening mechanisms 
                        and anti-coercion initiatives, to identify and 
                        counter corrosive and malign investments and 
                        use of economic coercion by foreign countries 
                        potentially in the areas of critical 
                        infrastructure, critical technologies, dual use 
                        items, media, supply of critical inputs, and 
                        access to sensitive information and data;
                    (G) review existing assistance programming relating 
                to the Western Balkans across Federal agencies--
                            (i) to eliminate duplication; and
                            (ii) to identify areas of coordination 
                        within the Western Balkans region;
                    (H) identify areas where application of additional 
                resources could expand successful programs to 1 or more 
                countries in the Western Balkans region by building on 
                the existing experience and program architecture;
                    (I) compare existing single-country sector analyses 
                to determine areas of focus that would benefit from a 
                regional approach with respect to the Western Balkans 
                region; and
                    (J) promote intraregional trade throughout the 
                Western Balkans region through--
                            (i) programming, including grants, 
                        cooperative agreements, and other forms of 
                        assistance;
                            (ii) expanding awareness of the 
                        availability of loans and other financial 
                        instruments from the United States Government, 
                        including from the United States International 
                        Development Finance Corporation and the Export-
                        Import Bank of the United States; and
                            (iii) coordinating access to existing trade 
                        instruments available through allies and 
                        partners in the Western Balkans region, 
                        including the European Union and international 
                        financial institutions.
            (3) Support for regional infrastructure projects.--The 
        initiative authorized under paragraph (1), consistent with the 
        BUILD Act of 2018 (division F of Public Law 115-254) and the 
        European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 (title 
        XX of division P of Public Law 116-94), should facilitate and 
        prioritize support for regional infrastructure projects, 
        including--
                    (A) transportation projects that build roads, 
                bridges, railways and other physical infrastructure to 
                facilitate travel of goods and people throughout the 
                Western Balkans region, particularly international 
                travel;
                    (B) technical support and investments needed to 
                meet United States and European Union standards for air 
                travel, including screening and information sharing;
                    (C) the development of telecommunications networks 
                from trusted providers;
                    (D) infrastructure projects that connect Western 
                Balkan countries to each other and to countries with 
                which they share a border;
                    (E) the effective analysis of tenders and 
                transparent procurement processes;
                    (F) investment transparency programs that will help 
                countries in the Western Balkans analyze gaps and 
                establish institutional and regulatory reforms 
                necessary--
                            (i) to create an enabling environment for 
                        trade and investment; and
                            (ii) to strengthen protections against 
                        suspect investments through public procurement 
                        and privatization and through foreign direct 
                        investments;
                    (G) sharing best practices learned from the United 
                States and other international partners to ensure that 
                institutional and regulatory mechanisms for addressing 
                these issues are fair, nonarbitrary, effective, and 
                free from corruption;
                    (H) projects that reduce reliance on fossil fuels 
                and facilitate the transition to clean sources of 
                energy;
                    (I) technical assistance and generating private 
                investment in projects that promote connectivity and 
                energy-sharing in the Western Balkans region;
                    (J) technical assistance to support regional 
                collaboration on environmental protection that includes 
                governmental, political, civic, and business 
                stakeholders; and
                    (K) technical assistance to develop financing 
                options and help create linkages with potential 
                financing institutions and investors.
            (4) Loans.--
                    (A) In general.--Amounts appropriated under the 
                headings economic support fund and assistance for 
                europe, eurasia and central asia in any Act making 
                appropriations for the Department of State, foreign 
                operations, and related programs may be made available 
                for the costs (as defined in section 502 of the 
                Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 661a)), of 
                loan guarantees, including the cost of modifying loans 
                and loan guarantees, for programs, projects, or 
                activities in any Western Balkans country, which are 
                authorized to be provided.
                    (B) Classification of loans and loan guarantees.--
                Amounts made available under subparagraph (A) for the 
                costs of loans and loan guarantees, including the cost 
                of modifying loans and loan guarantees, shall not be 
                considered assistance for the purposes of any 
                provisions of law limiting assistance to a country.
                    (C) Consultation and notification.--Amounts made 
                available under this subsection shall be subject to--
                            (i) prior consultation with the appropriate 
                        congressional committees; and
                            (ii) the regular notification procedures of 
                        the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate 
                        and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
                        House of Representatives.
            (5) Requirements.--All programming under the initiative 
        authorized under paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) be open to the participation of each Western 
                Balkan country;
                    (B) be consistent with European Union accession 
                requirements;
                    (C) be focused on retaining talent within the 
                Western Balkans;
                    (D) promote government policies in Western Balkan 
                countries that encourage free and fair competition, 
                sound governance, environmental protection, and 
                business environments that are conducive to sustainable 
                and inclusive economic growth;
                    (E) include gender analysis and efforts to promote 
                gender equity;
                    (F) include a public diplomacy strategy to inform 
                local and regional audiences in the Western Balkans 
                region about the initiative, including specific 
                programs and projects; and
                    (G) support the Western Balkans countries in 
                meeting international commitments agreed to by the 
                European Union on clean energy and energy security 
                goals.
    (d) United States International Development Finance Corporation.--
            (1) Appointments.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, subject to the availability of 
        appropriations, the Chief Executive Officer of the United 
        States International Development Finance Corporation, in 
        collaboration with the Secretary of State, should take steps to 
        ensure that--
                    (A) a regional office of the United States 
                International Development Finance Corporation with 
                responsibilities for the Western Balkans is established 
                and operational in the Western Balkans region; and
                    (B) sufficient full-time employees of the United 
                States International Development Finance Corporation, 
                including at least 1 permanent hire from the United 
                States, are stationed in the regional office to serve 
                United States interests in the Western Balkans.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive Officer of the 
        United States International Development Finance Corporation 
        shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional 
        committees that includes--
                    (A) a summary of the steps that have been taken to 
                fulfill the requirements under paragraph (1);
                    (B) an account of any additional resources and 
                authorities needed to complete the requirements under 
                paragraph (1); and
                    (C) a description of the initial outreach plan for 
                the new regional office of the United States 
                International Development Finance Corporation.
            (3) Joint report.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive Officer of 
        the United States International Development Finance 
        Corporation, the Secretary of State, and the Administrator of 
        the United States Agency for International Development shall 
        submit a joint report to the appropriate congressional 
        committees that includes--
                    (A) an assessment of the benefits of providing 
                sovereign loan guarantees to countries in the Western 
                Balkans to support infrastructure and energy 
                diversification projects;
                    (B) an outline of additional resources, such as 
                tools, funding, and personnel, which may be required to 
                offer sovereign loan guarantees; and
                    (C) an assessment of how the United States 
                International Development Finance Corporation can 
                deploy its insurance products in support of bonds or 
                other instruments issued to raise capital through 
                United States financial markets.

SEC. 8. COUNTERING MALIGN INFLUENCE AND PROMOTING CROSS-CULTURAL 
              ENGAGEMENT.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) promoting university partnerships in the Western 
        Balkans, particularly in traditionally under-served 
        communities, advances United States foreign policy goals and 
        requires a whole of government approach, including the 
        utilization of public-private partnerships;
            (2) such university partnerships would provide 
        opportunities for exchanging academic ideas, technical 
        expertise, research, and cultural understanding for the benefit 
        of the United States; and
            (3) the 6 countries in the Western Balkans meet the 
        requirements under section 105(c)(4) of the Foreign Assistance 
        Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151c(c)(4)).
    (b) University Partnerships.--The President, working through the 
Secretary of State, is authorized to provide assistance, consistent 
with section 105 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 
2151c), to promote the establishment of university partnerships between 
the United States and the Western Balkans, including--
            (1) supporting research and analysis on foreign policy, 
        cyber resilience, economic resilience, and disinformation;
            (2) working with partner governments to reform policies, 
        improve curricula, strengthen data systems, train teachers, and 
        provide quality, inclusive learning materials;
            (3) providing individuals, particularly at-risk youth, 
        women, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable, 
        marginalized, or underserved communities, with relevant 
        education, training, and skills for meaningful employment;
            (4) removing barriers to entering formal education for out-
        of-school individuals, assisting such individuals to stay in 
        school, and providing an opportunity for any individuals left 
        behind to catch up on schooling;
            (5) promoting teaching and research exchanges between 
        institutions of higher education in the Western Balkans and in 
        the United States; and
            (6) encouraging alliances and exchanges with like-minded 
        institutions of education within the Western Balkans and the 
        larger European continent.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 
2024 through 2028 to carry out this section.

SEC. 9. PEACE CORPS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the Peace Corps should be reinstated in the Western 
        Balkans by reopening Peace Corps programs in as many Western 
        Balkans countries as safely possible, including where the Peace 
        Corps had previously operated, or has suspended operations due 
        to the COVID-19 pandemic;
            (2) the Peace Corps should reopen its programs in as many 
        of the Western Balkans countries as possible, including where 
        the Peace Corps operated previously, but later suspended 
        operations; and
            (3) the Peace Corps, whose mission is to promote world 
        peace and friendship, in part by helping the people of 
        interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and 
        women, provides an invaluable opportunity to connect the people 
        of the United States with the people of the Western Balkans.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Peace Corps shall submit a 
report to the appropriate congressional committees that includes--
            (1) an analysis of current opportunities for Peace Corps 
        expansion in the Western Balkans region; and
            (2) a plan and timeline for implementing the outcomes 
        described in subsection (a) to facilitate expansion of Peace 
        Corps presence in the Western Balkans region, as appropriate.

SEC. 10. BALKANS YOUTH LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that regular 
people-to-people exchange programs that bring religious leaders, 
journalists, civil society members, politicians, and other individuals 
from the Western Balkans to the United States will strengthen existing 
relationships and advance United States interests and shared values in 
the Western Balkans region.
    (b) Authorization.--The Secretary of State shall further develop 
and implement a program, which shall be known as the ``Balkans Youth 
Leadership Initiative'' (referred to in this section as ``BOLD'') that 
promotes educational and professional development for young adult 
leaders and professionals in the Western Balkans who have demonstrated 
a passion to contribute to the continued development of the Western 
Balkans region.
    (c) Conduct of Initiative.--The goals of BOLD shall be--
            (1) to build the capacity of young Balkan leaders in the 
        Western Balkans in the areas of business and information 
        technology, cyber security and digitization, agriculture, civic 
        engagement, and public administration;
            (2) to support young Balkan leaders by offering 
        professional development, training, and networking 
        opportunities, particularly in the areas of leadership, 
        innovation, civic engagement, elections, human rights, 
        entrepreneurship, good governance, and public administration;
            (3) to support young political, parliamentary, and civic 
        Balkan leaders in collaboration on regional initiatives related 
        to good governance, environmental protection, government 
        ethics, and minority inclusion; and
            (4) to provide increased economic and technical assistance 
        to young Balkan leaders to promote economic growth and 
        strengthen ties between businesses in the United States and in 
        the Western Balkans.
    (d) Fellowships.--Under BOLD, the Secretary of State shall award 
fellowships to young leaders from the Western Balkans who--
            (1) are between 25 and 35 years of age;
            (2) have demonstrated strong capabilities in 
        entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and leadership;
            (3) have had a positive impact in their communities, 
        organizations, or institutions, including by promoting cross-
        regional and multiethnic cooperation; and
            (4) represent a cross-section of gender, regional, and 
        ethnic diversity.
    (e) Public Engagement Center.--Under BOLD, the Secretary of State 
may seek to procure space, hire staff, and develop programming for the 
establishment of a flagship public engagement and leadership center in 
the Western Balkans that seeks--
            (1) to counter disinformation and malign influence;
            (2) to promote cross-cultural engagement;
            (3) to provide training for young leaders from the Western 
        Balkans described in subsection (d); and
            (4) to harmonize the efforts of existing venues throughout 
        the Western Balkans established by the Office of American 
        Spaces.
    (f) Briefing on Certain Exchange Programs.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, acting 
        through the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and 
        Cultural Affairs, shall provide a briefing to the appropriate 
        congressional committees that describes the status of exchange 
        programs involving the Western Balkans region.
            (2) Elements.--The briefing required under paragraph (1) 
        shall--
                    (A) assess the factors constraining the number and 
                frequency of participants from Western Balkans 
                countries in the International Visitor Leadership 
                Program of the Department of State;
                    (B) identify the resources that are necessary to 
                address the factors described in subparagraph (A); and
                    (C) describe a strategy for connecting alumni and 
                participants of professional development exchange 
                programs of the Department of State in the Western 
                Balkans with alumni and participants from other 
                countries in Europe, to enhance inter-region and intra-
                region people-to-people ties.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 
2024 through 2028 to carry out this section.

SEC. 11. SUPPORTING CYBERSECURITY AND CYBER RESILIENCE IN THE WESTERN 
              BALKANS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) United States support for cyber security, cyber 
        resilience, and secure ICT infrastructure in Western Balkans 
        countries will strengthen the region's ability to defend itself 
        from and respond to malicious cyber activity conducted by 
        nonstate actors and foreign actors, including foreign 
        governments that seek to influence the region;
            (2) insecure ICT networks that are vulnerable to 
        manipulation can increase opportunities for--
                    (A) the spread of disinformation; and
                    (B) disrupting or disabling critical 
                infrastructure, including energy, telecommunications, 
                water, health, finance, and other infrastructure that 
                provides essential services to citizens;
            (3) the spread of disinformation is a transnational threat; 
        and
            (4) it is in the national security interest of the United 
        States to support the cyber security and cyber resilience of 
        Western Balkans countries.
    (b) Report on Digital Ecosystems.--Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the United 
States Agency for International Development shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees a Digital Ecosystem Country 
Assessment for each Western Balkans country that did not undergo a 
Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment before the date of the enactment 
of this Act.
    (c) Interagency Report on Cyber Security and Cyber Resilience in 
Western Balkans Countries.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the 
Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and other 
relevant Federal Government agencies, shall submit a report to the 
appropriate congressional committees that contains--
            (1) an overview of interagency efforts to strengthen cyber 
        security and cyber resilience efforts in Western Balkans 
        countries;
            (2) a strategy to better strengthen the cyber security and 
        cyber resilience of each Western Balkans country;
            (3) a review of existing United States Government cyber 
        security initiatives that--
                    (A) counter disinformation in Western Balkans 
                countries;
                    (B) strengthen ICT infrastructure and cyber 
                security capacity in the Western Balkans; and
                    (C) support democracy and internet freedom in 
                Western Balkans countries;
            (4) an assessment of cyber threat information sharing 
        between the United States and Western Balkans countries;
            (5) an assessment of options for the United States to 
        better support cyber security and cyber resilience in Western 
        Balkans countries, including the posting of cyber professionals 
        to United States diplomatic posts in Western Balkans countries 
        and providing relevant training, such as technical capacity 
        building and response and recovery efforts to Foreign Service 
        Officers; and
            (6) a determination of United States additional support 
        needed for the cyber security and cyber resilience Albania, 
        Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Croatia, which are NATO 
        allies.

SEC. 12. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING AN INTERIM AGREEMENT.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the Agreement on the Path to Normalization of 
        Relations, which was agreed to by Kosovo and Serbia on February 
        27, 2023, with the facilitation of the European Union, is a 
        positive step forward in advancing normalization between the 2 
        countries;
            (2) Serbia and Kosovo should seek to make immediate 
        progress on the Implementation Annex to the agreement referred 
        to in paragraph (1);
            (3) the Department of State shall provide to the 
        appropriate congressional committees an evaluation of each 
        country's progress on the Implementation Annex referred to in 
        paragraph (2);
            (4) the United States should not consider advancing the 
        initiatives referred to in this Act to such country until 
        sufficient progress has been made on the Implementation Annex;
            (5) once sufficient progress has been made on the 
        Implementation Annex, the United States should consider 
        advancing additional initiatives to strengthen bilateral 
        relations with both countries, which could include--
                    (A) establishing bilateral strategic dialogues; and
                    (B) advancing concrete initiatives to deepen trade 
                and investment with both countries; and
            (6) the United States should continue to support a 
        comprehensive final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia based 
        on mutual recognition.

SEC. 13. SUNSET.

    Sections 5 and 6 of this Act shall cease to be effective on the 
date that is 10 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                 &lt;all&gt;
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