Skopje, 4 November 2021 (MIA) – Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is hosting on Thursday in Belgrade North Macedonia’s Deputy PM for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama for a meeting of the Open Balkan initiative. The event, the Secretariat for European Affairs said in a press release, started with a meeting with representatives of companies from the three countries that are taking part in the Open Balkan initiative. Participants discussed at the meeting ideas and positions on facilitating trade between North Macedonia, Serbia and Albania via concrete steps for building a common regional market based on freedom of goods, workers, services and capital. “The initiative expresses deep commitment to promoting the development of our countries and has direct benefits for citizens. There’s clear political will and today’s meeting shows that economic chambers also welcome this initiative.  The next steps should be aimed at intensifying public discourse over Open Balkan and delivering results within a certain time frame,” Dimitrov said. The discussion resulted in adoption of conclusions for taking measures and activities aimed at realizing goals, including free movement of people by mutual recognition of work permits, getting rid of border controls to ensure free movement of goods, digital transformation, enhancing energy capacities, joint management of accidents and natural disasters, broadening tourist offers and benefits in the region, etc. Moreover, stakeholders proposed the establishment of an independent monitoring body, set to report publicly on implementation of Open Balkan commitments and monitor public opinion regarding benefits. Thursday’s working meeting resumes with a trilateral leaders’ meeting followed by a joint press conference.