The Open Balkan initiative is no substitute for the European integration, North Macedonia’s and Serbia’s Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski and Ana Brnabic concluded and expressed hope that other countries in the region will recognize the benefits of this initiative and will soon join it, transmits news agency MIA.
Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said that the Open Balkan initiative is a very positive step in boosting the performance of the region’s economies and their greater competitiveness, and talks on topics from the past are not helpful to anyone.
“Bulgaria is holding hostage the European integration of North Macedonia and of Albania. Our European integration is reduced to talking about history, which I see has been justified by practically all EU countries. I believe, this is wrong, because when it comes to history, nothing is promised, only something that happened 100-150 years ago. It is a classic blackmail and cannot be beneficial to anyone. Therefore, I think that talking about topics that affect the future of the country are very important and all talks should be conducted on such a basis,” Kovachevski said at Macedonia2025 Summit on Wednesday.
In addition to the simplified customs procedures that facilitate the transport of food, the implementation of a identification number schemes, which will enable citizens to access the labour markets of the three countries, North Macedonia, Serbia and Albania will be discussed at the upcoming Open Balkan summit which is to take place June 7-8 in Ohrid.
The three countries, initiators of the Open Balkan initiative announce cooperation in the field of education and culture.
“I sincerely believe that the Open Balkan initiative will be recognized by other regional partners as well. The next big thing that we will implement immediately after the next meeting of the Open Balkan initiative which will take place June 7-8 in Ohrid, and which will be attended by President Vucic, will be the information system where citizens can easily register to obtain an electronic identification or a unique number that will allow them not only to travel freely, but also to work in the member states of the initiative without any necessary work permit,” Serbian Prime Minister Brnabic said.
PM Brnabic said that the benefits offered by this initiative will be a reason for other countries to join it.
“When one sees a truck transporting our goods, whether from Serbia, North Macedonia or Albania, is not waiting at the border because we have harmonized all inspections, customs, phytosanitary regulations, then I think that the citizens and the economy of other Western Balkan countries will press their politicians to join the initiative,” Brnabic added.
