US lawmakers lobby to host European security meeting in South Carolina

Key facts

• A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers is advocating for South Carolina to host a 2027 meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
• The proposed U.S. venue is Charleston, South Carolina, as an alternative to Belgrade, Serbia, which is favored by some high-profile Republicans.
• The debate is influenced by Serbia's economic ties with Russia and its refusal to join Western sanctions.
• Proponents argue a U.S.-hosted meeting would signal commitment to OSCE allies and highlight the U.S. role in multilateral institutions.
• Opponents, like Senator Roger Wicker, have raised concerns about the potential funding for a U.S. venue.

A bipartisan coalition of U.S. lawmakers is actively lobbying to host a significant international security conference, the annual session of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2027. This effort, led by Republican Representative Joe Wilson, aims to shift the venue from Belgrade, Serbia, which is favored by some other Republican members of Congress.

The dispute highlights a growing divide within Washington regarding U.S. policy toward Serbia. Lawmakers like Wilson and Democrat William Keating argue that hosting the event in the U.S. would underscore America's commitment to multilateral institutions and its European allies. They also criticize Serbia's close economic ties with Russia and its refusal to impose sanctions on Moscow, as well as its stance on Kosovo.

Conversely, some lawmakers, including Senator Roger Wicker, have expressed reservations about the feasibility of a U.S.-hosted event, citing potential funding challenges. The debate also touches upon the broader geopolitical implications of Serbia's position, balancing its aspirations for European Union membership with its existing relationships with Russia. The resolution's progression is uncertain, with Congress nearing a recess.