Skopje, 6 July 2023 (MIA) – Open Balkan is a product of the region and is in no way contrary to any other initiative, especially not the Berlin Process. Created as an idea by three countries from the region, it will always remain open to all other countries of the region, regardless of whether they are EU members or not, said Prime Minister Kovachevski at a joint press conference Thursday with his Albanian counterpart Edi Rama.

The Prime Minister said initiatives are best measured by results, and pointed to the benefits of Open Balkan.

“The external trade exchange between North Macedonia and Serbia has grown by 50 percent compared to 2019, while the exchange between Albania and North Macedonia has grown by 40 percent. The number of Serbian tourists in North Macedonia grew by 500 percent in 2022 compared to 2021. The three countries jointly had the largest stand at the international wine exhibition in Italy, Vinitaly. And as a result of this, the wine producers of North Macedonia are increasing their sales of wine not only in the region, but also globally. We are the second largest exporter of wine in the region,” said Kovachevski in answer to a journalist’s question.

According to the PM, what the Berlin Process struggled to do for years – recognition of highly qualified staff, diplomas, free movement with identity documents etc., was done within the Open Balkan initiative. “Now,” he said, “we will do this within the Berlin Process as well, because we showed it is doable.”

“The results produced by Open Balkan, which has the support of over 70 percent of citizens and businesses, remain. We will work on new results because the final goal of EU integration for all countries has not been achieved yet. The Berlin Process is a broader initiative, we will work on it together,” added Kovachevski.

Kovachevski recalled his meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz last week, noting that they discussed the Berlin Process and the need to boost economic cooperation between the countries of the Western Balkans, as well as increased assistance from the EU countries for the countries of the region.

“Every country that hasn’t joined Open Balkan is not able to provide its citizens with increased trade, mobility and raised living standard. I have said many times, and I’ll say it again, the easiest thing to do is to be a politician who talks about the past, because then you don’t promise anything. When you talk about the past, you cannot promise anything. It is difficult to be a politician who talks about the future, about cooperation and integrations, because then you make promises and the people expect a better life. Which is why I would urge all Western Balkan leaders to commit themselves to the integration processes of the region and to an accelerated implementation of the reforms for a swifter integration of their countries, and the region, within the EU,” said Kovachevski.

Photo: MIA Archive