The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, stated today that Albania, Serbia and Northern Macedonia have decided on the “Open Balkans” initiative, because they can no longer wait for the promises from the European Union.
Photo: Tanjug
In an online address at a political panel at the Open Balkans conference in the Serbian Parliament, Rama said that the region’s economies have been waiting a long time for this initiative and that it will enable faster economic development of all three through open borders for goods, services, people and capital. countries.
– I would say that we are now in the initiative phase when we start doing some things concretely, in the last few sessions we have made important steps that will be concretized in December at the summit in Tirana by signing an agreement and that will mean easier working conditions for companies and people. they have problems because of borders and bureaucracy – Rama said.
He pointed out that the initiators of the “Open Balkans” initiative should not “waste time” on convincing other economies in the region to join it and convince them of how valuable it is.
– It is obvious to us, that is why we are part of this initiative. I am proud that the steps we are taking are such that they really have a great impact on the citizens, on the people who produce, who export “- said Rama.
He explained that the three countries decided to launch this initiative, because, he added, they saw through the Berlin process what steps they had taken.
– However, the Western Balkans somehow ‘stumbled’ in that initiative, and that process has become a kind of endless story. We have noticed that all these gatherings and declarations that are made within the framework of the Berlin Process, that in practical life none of that happens – said Rama.
The biggest problem, he points out, is that not all countries in the Western Balkans could find a consensus and that “everything suits everyone.”
– We can’t wait for the EU either, they can promise something, so they don’t fulfill, then again they promise, then they don’t fulfill, it’s up to them… We can’t wait anymore, we have to move forward – Rama said .
He pointed out that this initiative is not the creation of a new Yugoslavia or a consolation prize for EU membership, but that it complements European integration, which means that members of the “Open Balkans” will be more ready when the time comes for EU membership and will be able to join the EU. as a whole.
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