The blocking of Open Balkan agreements by MP Milososki is irresponsible and harmful to the citizens and the business sector, the National Coordinator for Open Balkan and Regional Cooperation, Marjan Zabrchanec told Frontline.
“The ratification of the agreements for free access to the labor market and for an identification number for the citizens of the Open Balkan must be completed in the Parliament in order to be able to start the project for unrestricted hiring of labor in any of the three countries without work permits” – says Zabrchanec .
When asked what the need is and what effects are expected from this innovation in regional connectivity, Zabrchanec answered that demand and expectations from this measure are huge among both citizens and companies across the thee countries.
“The demand and expectations for this measure are huge among both citizens and companies. This project is expected to fill gaps in the economy caused by a lack of adequate professional and labor force in various activities in each of the three countries. It is expected that medical personnel in private hospitals as well as tourist workers will be hired in North Macedonia, but of course also the hiring of labor in other business sectors in our country, as well as opportunities for our citizens in Albania and Serbia,” Zabrchanec told Frontline.
He is conclusive in his assessment that obstructions of such projects directly affects development and the increase in the number of jobs.
“Anyone who dares to brake and block such a project is acting against the growth and development of the economy, against new jobs and against competitiveness that brings higher wages,” said Zabrchanec.
He believes that Miloshoski has an obligation to answer the questions about whether it is a coordinated attempt by VMRO-DPMNE to block the regional initiative, which is supported by the citizens of all three states.
“Miloshoski should answer if this is a coordinated attempt by VMRO-DPMNE headed by Mickoski to block a regional initiative, which is supported by the vast majority of Macedonian, Albanian and Serbian citizens. Does this move by Miloshoski follow up on Mickoski’s scandalous statement from the other day that he did not know what the Open Balkan was and that he did not know what that regional cooperation was between two countries like Albania and Serbia, which, as he said, do not border each other?” – Zabrchanec asked.
The national coordinator Zabrchanec is convinced that the blockades do not succeed, but that the Open Balkan succeeds.
“If we are talking about an attempt to block or stop the Open Balkan project, Miloshoski and Mickoski should know that, by doing so, they are declaring themselves opponents of three nations, three economies and three states. Blockades do not succeed, Open Balkan succeeds” – concluded Zabrchanec.
