WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation and a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, will return to Bosnia and Herzegovina to participate as an electoral observer on behalf of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly for the October 2 general elections. She will also visit Albania for the first time, where she will discuss the EU’s recent announcement to start accession talks, meet with Afghan refugees hosted by the Albanian government and discuss efforts to strengthen its cyber capabilities in light of recent cyber attacks. Shaheen will be the most senior level Senator to visit Albania since Senator John McCain visited in 2017. Shaheen will also visit the United Kingdom under new leadership to discuss the transatlantic alliance and continued U.S. support for Ukraine and attention to the Balkans amidst Putin’s unprovoked war. She will also speak at Chatham House to discuss the importance of unity within the transatlantic relationship in responding to national security challenges.

“I look forward to returning to the Western Balkans at a pivotal moment for Europe. Affirming U.S. support to our partners in the Balkans is especially critical as we experience the most precarious military crisis in Europe since World War II. We must continue to support Balkan nations on their respective democratic trajectories and encourage continued reforms in their path towards European integration,” said Senator Shaheen. “I look forward to observing elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina and showing continued U.S. support for the democratic aspirations of its citizens. In Albania, I look forward to meeting with Albania’s government and express thanks for their accommodation of Afghan refugees awaiting their transfer to the United States. Last, given the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the succession of Liz Truss as the country’s new Prime Minister, I also look forward to visiting the United Kingdom to reaffirm continued U.S. support for the transatlantic alliance, which has been fundamental to our global response to aid Ukraine and provide continued support in the Western Balkans.”

During her visit, the Senator will meet with members of the respective countries’ administrations, members of civil society and members of the press to address numerous issues, including support for Ukraine amid Russia’s unprovoked invasion, European security and Euro-Atlantic integration, anti-corruption efforts, safeguarding freedom of the press and much more.

In August, Shaheen introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Wicker to strengthen U.S.-Balkan ties by supporting economic development in the region through initiatives on infrastructure, trade and anti-corruption, including codification of sanctions to deter destabilizing activity. Senator Shaheen, Senator Murphy and Senator Tillis co-led a bipartisan delegation in April to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Belgium to convey continued U.S. support for allies amid Russian aggression against Ukraine and discuss the implications for European security in the Balkans. Senator Shaheen and Senator Collins introduced a bipartisan resolution to honor the leadership and impact of the late Queen Elizabeth II, which was passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate. Senators Shaheen and Tillis also led a bipartisan delegation in June to the NATO Summit in Madrid, in addition to stops in Sweden and Finland to affirm strong bipartisan Senate support for their NATO membership aspirations. Also a member of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, Senator Shaheen has led action in the Senate in support of Ukraine in response to Putin’s belligerence. Last month, Shaheen released a statement ahead of the anniversary of Ukraine’s independence and the six-month mark of Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine. In March, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation Shaheen cosponsored that would ensure the U.S. undertakes coordinated efforts to collect and maintain evidence of war crimes and atrocities committed by Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine. In February, Shaheen led a successful bipartisan effort with Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) to pass a resolution that conveys a renewed and overwhelmingly bipartisan message from the U.S. Senate in fierce support of Ukraine. Earlier this year, Shaheen and Portman led a bipartisan delegation to Ukraine, where they met with President Zelenskyy and members of his administration. Before the Shaheen-Portman congressional delegation visit to Ukraine in January, Shaheen led a bipartisan group of lawmakers to Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, last June.