EU pro “Open Balkan” / Varhelyi invitation to three other countries! Rama: Today’s agreements, an important step

“You can include me as a supporter of the Balkans. We (EU) think that according to the rules and values ​​of the EU, any regional cooperation is welcome but also for the benefit of both parties, for the benefit of the Balkans and the European Union. “, said the Commissioner.

Varhelyi invited three other Western Balkan countries to join the initiative, listing the reasons for benefiting from it.

“Let me take the opportunity to invite the other three partners to return to this cooperation because it is not only good for the business, it is good for the customers, it offers an increase in employment, and it can also change the realities on the ground. “If there is one thing I quote you, I quote you Mr. Rama, is that only through the concrete creation of a common regional market, the Balkans can add 1/3 of the existing GDP.”, he added.

The Commissioner stressed the importance of this initiative moving forward, at a time when other initiatives are not going well.

“To be honest, I have always been very positive about this proposal. First it was called minishengen, then we tried within the Berlin process and created the common regional market but unfortunately with some choices in the region, this initiative was put aside. This is a conclusion I have drawn from the beginning, for you to continue to promote this initiative because the region wants to be a whole, in terms of economy, society and the region wants to be together as we are in the European Union. You understood the importance of regional integration and it is able to change the lives of your citizens. “This is the best message the region can send, which is not only ready for regional cooperation, but is doing it.”, said Varhelyi.

In his speech, Prime Minister Edi Rama underlined the importance of this initiative for the countries of the region, calling on other countries to join.

“It is a key moment of our process because the agreements that will be signed will determine a very important step forward towards our goal which is to guarantee the full freedom of movement of people, goods, capital and services. Let me go through each pillar of the Haur Balkans repeating the call for everyone to join as it is a fully inclusive initiative and certainly encouraging others in the region to be part of this effort. In the field of movement of goods, today we will sign the tripartite agreement on live animals and mutual recognition of the issued documentation and the implementation of the memorandum and the transfer of goods between the three of us, which has already been signed in July.”, said Rama.

The Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia, Zoran Zev, informed that this will be his last direct participation in this initiative, while in his place will be the next Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia, Dimitar Kovacevski.

“We have successes to show, results that the working group has done an excellent job. We have obvious steps to show, this will be my last direct participation “, said Zaev.

While the third member of the initiative, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vuçi. Said strongly to the opponents of “Open Balkan” that none of them should apologize for this initiative, emphasizing that it will benefit all citizens.

“Trade will be easier, these are very important issues for many of our citizens, the three of us together or all together will have to discuss the next steps, because people want to see more results, I have come a little on the tip of the nose that we will have to give excuses for nothing. “Why should we apologize for this initiative? We have no reason to apologize to those who are not part of it.”, said Vuçiiç.

The “Open Balkans” Summit is being held in Tirana this Tuesday, a meeting between Prime Minister Edi Rama and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and the Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia, Zoran Zaev.

They arrived in Albania last night, while Rama welcomed them with a welcome dinner in Elbasan, thus avoiding the trip to Tirana, where the protest called by Sali Berisha against the arrival of Vucic was being held.

About 5 agreements will be signed:

1-A common and free labor market between Albania, Serbia and Northern Macedonia.
2-Establishment of a joint electronic interconnection scheme for citizens in the Western Balkans.
3-Intergovernmental agreement between Albania, Serbia and Northern Macedonia on cooperation in the field of veterinary, food safety and phytosanitary in the Western Balkans.
4-Albania-Serbia Agreement on Mutual Recognition of the Economic Security Operator (AEOS).
5-Albania-Northern Macedonia Agreement on mutual recognition of the economic operator for security (AEOS).

Recall that the day before, Berisha gathered his supporters from Albania and Kosovo opposing the “Open Balkans”, because according to him, behind Vucic lies the Russian influence of President Vladimir Putin and that Russia is a threat to stability in Europe.

Serbian flags were also burned yesterday as a sign of protest against Vuçi ardh’s arrival in Tirana, while two people were arrested and six minors were interrogated. After the tense situation, the Serbian president was received in the capital under strict security measures. to prevent riots.

Recall that the last meeting in the framework of the “Open Balkan” initiative was held on November 4 in Belgrade, where the leaders reaffirmed the promise that there will be no more obstacles at the border for their people and that they will be able to move freely. in all three countries.

The Regional Cooperation Initiative has also been supported by the United States and the EU. However, Kosovo, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina are not joining this initiative. The Government of Kosovo, under the leadership of Albin Kurti, thinks that the initiative of this initiative, according to him “mini-Schengen” is a visionless initiative for the region.

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