Belgrade, 16 November 2023 (MIA) - Macedonian, Serbian, Albanian and Montenegrin wineries stand shoulder to shoulder with world-renowned wine producers. This is the place for our promotion, networking and opening new markets. This initiative has shown the functional cooperation among our chambers of commerce, demonstrated the cooperation among our countries, companies and citizens, producing a better result together. The wine routes of our countries are becoming a global destination, said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski at the opening of the second international wood, wine and tourism fair "Wine Vision by Open Balkan" in Belgrade on Thursday.

PM Kovachevski said this year's fair creates strong ties that stimulate the countries' economies.

"We have ensured the operating of green lanes for fast flow of lorries from the three countries at borders. A system of e-tolls is also operational. Cooperation projects in the field of tourism and culture have also been realized, whereas elimination of the work permits among Open Balkan members has followed. In this way, we are building goodneighborly relations and trust as friendly countries, but we are also making joint steps on the European path. We did this alone, without anyone coming and telling us how to do it," said Kovachevski.

According to him, the Open Balkan initiative jointly promotes the Macedonian and Balkan wine and tourism quality, opening the way for our companies to the top-class international wine and gastronomy sector. These fairs provide a significant contribution to the processes of creating a single market among countries in the Western Balkans and facilitated promotion on the European market.

"Trade exchange among North Macedonia, Albania and Serbia has increased by 25 percent. The exchange with Serbia has exceeded EUR 1.1 billion, the highest level over the past 17 years. Only last year, exchange with Albania increased by 40 percent and that with Serbia by 50 percent. Rising cooperation benefits companies, citizens and states, but the entire area as well," noted Kovachevski.

This wine fair, the PM added, is an opportunity for our companies and professionals to show that together we serve as a real partner in the development of our economies and enhancement of regional economic cooperation.

"I come from a country that is small in size and population, but big in wine production. North Macedonia is the second-largest wine exporter in the region, and the 29th in the world," underlined Kovachevski.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Montenegro President Jakov Milatovic also addressed the fair opening, as did Albanian PM Edi Rama via a video link.

The fair is held under the auspices of the governments of Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia, in the framework of the Open Balkan initiative. It includes over 600 exhibitors - wineries, distilleries and companies in the field of gastronomy - from 28 countries. In addition to the 74 from North Macedonia, there are 260 exhibitors from Serbia and 21 from Albania.

Photo: Government