Skopje, 29 February 2024 (MIA) - Caretaker Prime Minister Talat Xhaferi addressed a high-level conference focusing on the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, held in Tirana on Thursday. 

Xhaferi delivered remarks at a panel on ‘Introduction to the Common Market’, highlighting the importance of the Common Regional Market as a possibility to gradually bring the Western Balkans into key areas of the EU single market, bringing tangible benefits to citizens even before membership, the Government said in a press release. 

"PM Xhaferi pointed out that the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia strongly supports the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, adding that it is the most ambitious mechanism proposed by the European Commission since the beginning of our European integration process, which will potentially change the region and accelerate moving forward towards the European Union," reads the press release. 

The Growth Plan, Xhaferi noted, represents a serious incentive for greater economic integration within the Western Balkans, which not only creates better job opportunities, but also increase GDP growth throughout the region.

 
"This joint effort not only benefits the Western Balkans, but also improves the attractiveness and competitiveness of the region. It brings us closer to EU markets and facilitates sustainable economic development. In this direction, the Common Regional Market lays the foundation for enhanced trade relations and joint economic initiatives," Xhaferi told the conference.

According to Xhaferi, Western Balkan countries are actively cooperating and contributing to making the Common Regional Market a reality, in preparation for bringing the entire region closer to the EU's Internal Market.  He added that additional, more substantial reforms are ahead of the countries in terms of improving the capacities, efficiency and competitiveness of the economies and the region as a whole.

The next action plan for the Common Regional Market, Xhaferi noted, should be a continuation of the progress achieved, respond to the challenges identified and set clear, measurable goals, including a mechanism for monitoring and evaluation by prioritizing the activities that have the greatest potential to make positive changes on citizens.

He also mentioned the priority areas set by the European Commission, highlighting that North Macedonia's Government fully supports the proposed roadmap on improving customs cooperation, and it is fully committed to implementing the decisions of the CEFTA Joint Committee, in terms of authorized economic operators and risk management, once they are adopted by all parties.

In addition, Xhaferi said, North Macedonia remains fully committed to becoming a SEPA member as soon as possible, given the fact that such a step will increase the credibility of the country's financial sector on the international stage and deepen trade relations with the European area.

In his address, Xhaferi also mentioned the Single Digital Market, expressing gratitude for the concrete roadmap for internet access to public buildings, urban and public spaces, as well as rural spaces in the country, also highlighting the country's commitment and readiness for the implementation of the calls for the inclusion of municipalities from North Macedonia in WI-FI for the Western Balkans (Wifi4WB), as well as the country's full commitment to the initiative for European Digital Innovation Hubs, as support for companies in the public sector, in green transitions, through participation in the Digital Europe programme. 

Photo: Government of the Republic of North Macedonia