Philip Reeker, Acting Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, told Radio Free Europe (RFE) on Thursday that Washington was disappointed with the European Union's failure to set a date for opening the accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, adding some EU leaders had a 19th century view of the Western Balkans.

Joining the long list of world politicians who criticised the bloc for, as some said, “historic mistake,” Reeker told RFE that the European perspective of the countries that wanted to become a part of the Union was a crucial component in the US foreign policy.

“We are not an EU member state, but we support that ideal, aid programmes… Our diplomacy supports efforts in implementing the reforms these countries undertook. We think that it is in the best interest of these countries, the region and Europe and it's disappointing to see some leaders who’ look at the Balkans from the 19th century's perspective,” Reeker said.