Single economy – zero tariffs, 100 percent free trade and zero obstacles to movement of citizens, say Zaev, Rama, Vučić
Skopje, 29 July 2021 (MIA) – North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama and Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić told Thursday’s joint press conference after the Economic Forum for Regional Cooperation in Skopje that the goal of the ‘Open Balkan’ initiative is to create a single economy, with no customs duties, zero border wait time and a hundred percent free trade.
‘Open Balkan’, Zaev, Rama and Vučić stressed, means a new chapter in regional cooperation. The initiative is not limited to the three countries - North Macedonia, Serbia and Albania. On the contrary, any other country in the neighborhood is welcome and can join if they wish.
“Our goal is a single economy, with no borders - 100 percent free trade, zero tariffs, zero obstacles to movement, zero barriers to goods and services, so that our countries have European freedom in our region," the leaders said, adding that it’s much easier to resolve political issues when economies and business communities are united.
According to PM Zaev, no one would even think of imposing new tariffs, creating any new obstacles or barriers.
“This will be a single economy, 100 percent free trade for goods and services, with no obstacles to the movement of people and capital. What residents of North Macedonia can do here in the country, they will be able to do in Durrës or Nish. Such a region will open huge perspectives in the global arena and competition,” Zaev pointed out.
He stressed that the representatives of more than 350 businesses, participants in the Forum, are the capital of this initiative. Their discussions, debates, proposals and projects that they affirmed and united here, are a testimony that the ‘Open Balkan’ initiative is the platform that the region needs.
Zaev mentioned the two memoranda of understanding, as well as the interstate agreement signed at the Forum, which are to boost cooperation in the region.
“And, we’re not stopping here. Last night we agreed, at the beginning of November we’ll hold new working meetings in Belgrade, towards the end of the year in Tirana, while in the meantime we’ll instruct relevant ministers to ensure immediate implementation of what was agreed and develop new projects to facilitate the life of our peoples, so that as soon as possible, our citizens from the Open Balkan experience a concrete economic benefit. Last night we also discussed that in addition to this Economic Forum, we’ll start a Balkan wine festival to celebrate and encourage sales of wines from across the region. We will also create opportunities for school sports teams to compete with each other, and for young people to spend time with each other, thus ensuring connection today for a better tomorrow,” said Zaev.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said the idea of joint efforts for economic regional cooperation is excellent, the vision is exceptional, but the three countries have a difficult task ahead. Still, results must be delivered.
“We need to show responsibility to the citizens, take care of the economy. We have a difficult task ahead of us, there will be obstacles coming from different sides, but if we provide "zero minute wait" at the border crossings, people will be able to move as they do on their own territory,” Vučić said, adding that the three countries, thus connected, would attract over 80 percent of investments in the Balkans.
Speaking at Thursday’s joint press conference, Vučić underlined that ‘Open Balkan’ is an economic initiative, not a space for resolving political bilateral issues.
“What separates us should not be imposed as the most important issue. This is an economic initiative for the free flow of people, goods and capital, whose benefits will be seen. It is not a place for resolving bilateral problems. If someone is not ready to join this initiative, I have no problem with that, just let us do trade and develop the economy,” Serbia’s President stressed.
Albanian PM Rama believes cooperation, as well as unity are key, and that is at the core of the ‘Open Balkan’ initiative, which does not exclude, but it includes, which does not remove, but it is comprehensive, open and free for all countries.
“Is there anything wrong that Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro join this initiative that opens the paths for our emergency services to cooperate and fight together, have a common system and help together where their help is needed. We want the communities of our countries to have European freedom in the region,” said Rama, adding that it is nonsense for citizens of the region to be treated as if they are second class citizens in the region compared to those of the EU.
In terms of Kosovo and Serbia, Rama said the initiative lets people and businesses know that they are all equal despite the fact that at the institutional level there is an issue that is still open and is being worked out through a difficult dialogue between the two countries.
“But this is a colossal step for our society and brings great potential. As leaders, we have no right to leave this potential untapped and undeveloped. There’s no conspiracy and negativity here, this is a movement for the future,” the Albanian PM added.
Zaev, Rama and Vučić said they listened to the proposals and requests of the businesses for less history and more business. At the economic panel, on the other hand, they received praise from the chambers of commerce on showing real leadership with this step - taking a completely new initiative without previously having it fully accepted and supported.
The Economic Forum for Regional Cooperation was organized by PM Zaev’s Office in coordination with the offices of Vučić and Rama, in cooperation with the regional chambers of commerce.
According to PM Zaev, no one would even think of imposing new tariffs, creating any new obstacles or barriers.
“This will be a single economy, 100 percent free trade for goods and services, with no obstacles to the movement of people and capital. What residents of North Macedonia can do here in the country, they will be able to do in Durrës or Nish. Such a region will open huge perspectives in the global arena and competition,” Zaev pointed out.
He stressed that the representatives of more than 350 businesses, participants in the Forum, are the capital of this initiative. Their discussions, debates, proposals and projects that they affirmed and united here, are a testimony that the ‘Open Balkan’ initiative is the platform that the region needs.
Zaev mentioned the two memoranda of understanding, as well as the interstate agreement signed at the Forum, which are to boost cooperation in the region.
“And, we’re not stopping here. Last night we agreed, at the beginning of November we’ll hold new working meetings in Belgrade, towards the end of the year in Tirana, while in the meantime we’ll instruct relevant ministers to ensure immediate implementation of what was agreed and develop new projects to facilitate the life of our peoples, so that as soon as possible, our citizens from the Open Balkan experience a concrete economic benefit. Last night we also discussed that in addition to this Economic Forum, we’ll start a Balkan wine festival to celebrate and encourage sales of wines from across the region. We will also create opportunities for school sports teams to compete with each other, and for young people to spend time with each other, thus ensuring connection today for a better tomorrow,” said Zaev.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said the idea of joint efforts for economic regional cooperation is excellent, the vision is exceptional, but the three countries have a difficult task ahead. Still, results must be delivered.
“We need to show responsibility to the citizens, take care of the economy. We have a difficult task ahead of us, there will be obstacles coming from different sides, but if we provide "zero minute wait" at the border crossings, people will be able to move as they do on their own territory,” Vučić said, adding that the three countries, thus connected, would attract over 80 percent of investments in the Balkans.
Speaking at Thursday’s joint press conference, Vučić underlined that ‘Open Balkan’ is an economic initiative, not a space for resolving political bilateral issues.
“What separates us should not be imposed as the most important issue. This is an economic initiative for the free flow of people, goods and capital, whose benefits will be seen. It is not a place for resolving bilateral problems. If someone is not ready to join this initiative, I have no problem with that, just let us do trade and develop the economy,” Serbia’s President stressed.
Albanian PM Rama believes cooperation, as well as unity are key, and that is at the core of the ‘Open Balkan’ initiative, which does not exclude, but it includes, which does not remove, but it is comprehensive, open and free for all countries.
“Is there anything wrong that Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro join this initiative that opens the paths for our emergency services to cooperate and fight together, have a common system and help together where their help is needed. We want the communities of our countries to have European freedom in the region,” said Rama, adding that it is nonsense for citizens of the region to be treated as if they are second class citizens in the region compared to those of the EU.
In terms of Kosovo and Serbia, Rama said the initiative lets people and businesses know that they are all equal despite the fact that at the institutional level there is an issue that is still open and is being worked out through a difficult dialogue between the two countries.
“But this is a colossal step for our society and brings great potential. As leaders, we have no right to leave this potential untapped and undeveloped. There’s no conspiracy and negativity here, this is a movement for the future,” the Albanian PM added.
Zaev, Rama and Vučić said they listened to the proposals and requests of the businesses for less history and more business. At the economic panel, on the other hand, they received praise from the chambers of commerce on showing real leadership with this step - taking a completely new initiative without previously having it fully accepted and supported.
The Economic Forum for Regional Cooperation was organized by PM Zaev’s Office in coordination with the offices of Vučić and Rama, in cooperation with the regional chambers of commerce.
