Skopje, 12 May 2026 (MIA) - Macedonian and Albanian business leaders at Tuesday's Beyond Borders Business Forum in Skopje called for boosting trade from EUR 207 million to EUR 1 billion, urging the opening of corridors for all landlocked countries, removing trade barriers, as well as using Albania's Durres port as an alternative to Greece's Thessaloniki port.  

The forum highlighted the need for better connectivity, better infrastructure and joint presence in third markets.

"Economic cooperation is good, but it could be much better. Given the connectivity of the two countries, the figures are underwhelming. Last year, trade reached EUR 180 million, i.e. an increase of 40 million compared to 2020. In Q1 2026, trade is at EUR 38 million. This is good, but given the connectivity of the two countries, these figures are underwhelming and should be much, much higher. It is strange how we manage to trade with Germany, France, Great Britain, but not with each other, in the region. I think that is a serious challenge," said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski. 

According to him, in addition to better connectivity and better infrastructure, North Macedonia and Albania also need a mindset shift.

"If something is produced in Macedonia or something is produced in Albania, and it meets all the necessary standards because the world or at least this developed part of the world has clearly standardized, then I don't see why trade shouldn't be here and we should expect to get the same thing from some other country for two, three or four times higher price. Let's sell domestic or local products and trade should be in that direction. Our task, of both governments and business leaders, is for trade to be in billions, not hundreds of millions of euros. That is the potential that the two countries have," Nikoloski said. 

Albanian Ambassador to the country, Denion Meidani, said the key challenge for North Macedonia and Albania is to strengthen ties and boost cooperation.

"Corridor VIII is a strategic project that places our countries in the European transport architecture. The path to prosperity is more trust, more investments, energy, joint projects... Albania sees Macedonia as a natural partner. It is a matter of choice whether we will remain on the periphery or be part of modern trends and build a good neighborhood," the Ambassador pointed out. 

According to the President of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, Branko Azeski, criminals are more likely than businessmen to use the "advantages" for greater cooperation.

"Shame on the businessmen, the criminals are ahead of us. Let's unite, close the loopholes and use the potential to boost cooperation and increase trade," said Azeski. 

Investment, connectivity and tourism are in the focus of the forum organized by the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Albania. The forum features three panels on these topics, bringing together representatives of institutions, investors and business leaders from the two countries. 

Tirana is scheduled to host the next edition of the forum.

Photo: MIA