Shaheen Leads Final CODEL as Ranking Member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee to Western Balkans

SARAJEVO, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - This week, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is leading a congressional delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia and Kosovo. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Democratic Whip and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is joining the delegation, which is traveling October 6-13. This is Senator Shaheen's final congressional delegation as Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

During the trip, Ranking Member Shaheen will meet with government officials, U.S. diplomatic personnel, civil society representatives and young leaders to discuss regional security, democratic institutions, economic opportunity and relations with the United States. Meetings will address the European Union accession processes, NATO cooperation, energy diversification and implementation of the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act, which was enacted as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.

The delegation will visit the Srebrenica Memorial Center and Cemetery at Potocari and attend a performance by the House of Good Tones. Ranking Member Shaheen will also participate in a ceremony recognizing her as an honorary citizen of Sarajevo, meet with young leaders and entrepreneurs who have benefited from the Shaheen-led BOLD program and join an Atlantic Council-hosted public discussion in Albania.

"I first traveled to the Western Balkans as a Senator in 2010 with Senator George Voinovich, and I'm glad that my final delegation as Ranking Member will be to this critical region," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "On this visit, Senator Durbin and I will meet with officials, young leaders and civil society representatives to discuss security, economic opportunity and their countries' relationships with the United States."

"Senator Shaheen has been a champion in the Senate at keeping attention on the Balkan region, and I am pleased to join her for this timely trip-just days after an election in Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Senator Durbin. "Many have forgotten about the terrible violence in the region after the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. And while a number of the ensuing independent nations have notably joined NATO and the European Union, many challenges remain three decades after the signing of the Dayton Accords. Our visit will demonstrate continued U.S. interest in seeing progress and continued healing in the region."

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