in each Western Balkans country, resulting in negative population growth in all 6 countries. (7) Creating an enabling environment for transparent, accountable, and market-oriented investment and creating employment opportunities in the Western Balkans, especially for youth, can provide powerful tools for economic development and for encouraging broader participation in a political process that increases prosperity for all. (8) Offering opportunities for inclusive, transparent economic growth and merit-based employment to people living in the Western Balkans will encourage higher levels of trade and direct investment and support positive economic and political developments occurring throughout the region. (9) Existing regional economic efforts, such as the Common Regional Market and the Open Balkan initiative, when aligned with European Union standards, norms, and regulations, have the potential to improve the economic conditions in the Western Balkans, while promoting inclusion and transparency. (10) The Department of Commerce, through its Foreign Commercial Service, plays an important role in promoting and facilitating opportunities for United States trade and investment. (11) Corruption continues to plague the Western Balkans and represents one of the greatest impediments to further economic and political development in the region. (12) Disinformation campaigns targeting the Western Balkans threaten the credibility of Western democratic institutions. (13) Vulnerabilities to corrosive capital, malign economic influence, interference, and economic coercion are acutely present in Western Balkans economies. (14) Vulnerability to cyberattacks or attacks on information and communication technology infrastructure increases risks to the functioning of government and the delivery of public services. (15) United States Cyber Command plays a critical role in defending the national security interests of the United States. (16) Securing domestic and international cyber networks and electronic infrastructure is a national