; (5) promoting teaching and research exchanges between institutions of higher education in the Western Balkans and in the United States; and (6) encouraging alliances and exchanges with like-minded institutions of education within the Western Balkans and the larger European continent. (c) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to carry out this section. 9. Peace Corps in the Western Balkans (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the Peace Corps should be reinstated in the Western Balkans by reopening Peace Corps programs in as many Western Balkans countries as safely possible, including where the Peace Corps had previously operated, or has suspended operations due to the COVID–19 pandemic; (2) the Peace Corps should reopen its programs in as many of the Western Balkans countries as possible, including where the Peace Corps operated previously, but later suspended operations; and (3) the Peace Corps, whose mission is to promote world peace and friendship, in part by helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women, provides an invaluable opportunity to connect the people of the United States with the people of the Western Balkans. (b) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Peace Corps shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that includes— (1) an analysis of current opportunities for Peace Corps expansion in the Western Balkans region