WASHINGTON, June 14. /TASS/. US President Joe Biden extended the national emergency with respect to the Western Balkans by one year on Monday, according to a corresponding decree published by the White House.
"The acts of extremist violence and obstructionist activity, and the situation in the Western Balkans, which stymies progress toward effective and democratic governance and full integration into transatlantic institutions, <…>, continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States," the document said.
Therefore, Biden has determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13219 with respect to the Western Balkans.
The national emergency with respect to the Western Balkans was declared in Executive Order 13219 of June 26, 2001, which stipulated sanctions against physical and legal entities somehow involved in extremist activities in the region. Later the order was expanded in 2003 and 2021.
Such sanctions may be extended each year if the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that they are to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.