Vice President Biden heads to the Western Balkans on Tuesday for three days of meetings with the leaders of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo.    The goal, according to a White House press briefing is "intensified U.S. engagement in the region" with the hopes that it will lead to "a Europe whole and free".

In Bosnia, the Vice President will express US support for Dayton, for Bosnian sovereignty and for reforms necessary for NATO and EU membership.  He will be accompanied in Bosnia by the EU senior foreign policy official, Javier Solana. 

In Serbia, the goals are less ambitious although the Vice President will meet with numerous dignitaries in an effort to "press the reset button" and set the course towards a "positive and productive future".  Although relations are tense as Belgrade continues to oppose Kosovo's independent, Boris Tadic has said "Belgrade wanted to open a "new chapter" in ties with the United States".

The last leg of the trip will take the V.P. to Kosovo where Prime Minister Thaçi said that "Vice President Biden has always been a friend of Kosovo, supporter of Kosovo as a an independent and sovereign country, therefore he disserves to be welcomed with a heroes welcome."  The Vice President is expected to express continued support for a "unified, independent, multiethnic Kosovo" and will talk to the leaders about the "tremendous efforts they've already made to build a functioning and effective state, and to protect the rights of all minorities". 

Crosspost: Obama-Mamas.com