; (B) found numerous procedural deficiencies, including inconsistent application of safeguards during voting and counting, frequent instances of overcrowding, breaches in secrecy of the vote, and numerous instances of group voting ; and (C) asserted that voting must be repeated in certain polling stations. (21) The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe also noted that Serbian officials accused primarily peaceful protestors, opposition parties, and civil society of attempting to destabilize the government , a concerning allegation that threatens the safety of important elements of Serbian society. (22) Democratic countries whose values are in alignment with the United States make for stronger and more durable partnerships. 3. Sense of Congress It is a sense of Congress that the United States should— (1) encourage increased trade and investment between the United States and allies and partners in the Western Balkans; (2) expand United States assistance to regional integration efforts in the Western Balkans; (3) strengthen and expand regional economic integration in the Western Balkans, especially enterprises owned by and employing women and youth; (4) work with allies and partners committed to improving the rule of law, energy resource diversification, democratic and economic reform, and the reduction of poverty in the Western Balkans; (5) increase United States trade and investment with the Western Balkans, particularly in ways that support countries' efforts— (A) to decrease dependence on Russian energy sources and fossil fuels; (B) to increase energy diversification, efficiency, and conservation; and (C) to facilitate the transition to cleaner and more reliable sources of energy, including renewables, as appropriate; (6) continue to assist in the development, within the Western Balkans, of— (A) strong civil societies; (B) public-private partnerships; (C) independent media; (D) transparent, accountable, citizen-responsive governance, including equal representation for women and youth