Serbian President Alexander Vucic and the prime ministers of Northern Macedonia and Albania, Zoran Zaev and Edi Rama, wrote an open letter to the peoples of the Western Balkans, published by the Podgorica-based daily Dan.
The letter from the representatives of the Western Balkans states that Europe is not a continent, but a vision that the citizens of the Western Balkans as an integral part of the continent and the vision have been abandoned for too long, the Macedonian News Agency (MIA) correspondent reported in Belgrade.
"The desire of our people to be accepted by the EU members has been hampered again and again by the internal policies of the member states, the non-fulfillment of the promises made and the fear of the future. This has led to frustration, instability, emigration and a lack of large investments, "the open letter said.
"We, as leaders of our countries, can decide to complain about this or we can decide to do something about it. We chose the latter. In November 2019, we signed a preliminary agreement to stimulate the so-called Berlin Process, so that we can take more deepened regional cooperation into our own hands, "the letter added.
The three statesmen say they intend to overcome social, economic and trade barriers that are slowing economic growth across the region by implementing the four European freedoms in the Balkans.
"Since then, we have systematically complied with and signed agreements that allow our citizens to work freely in our countries, reduced border controls that will allow goods to pass almost without delay, and built mechanisms for our citizens to travel freely between our countries - just like citizens EU travel between their countries. "Our initiative, called the Open Balkans, has proved effective and useful even in overcoming the difficult times of the pandemic," the letter said.
Although so far the Open Balkans Initiative has included only Serbia, Albania and Northern Macedonia, its signatories say the initiative has been and will be open to all countries in the Western Balkans.
"We take this opportunity to once again invite all our neighbors to join and offer their citizens the benefits we offer our people. "Through the free movement of people, goods, capital and services, our cooperation can promote trade and growth and make life easier for everyone in our region," reads the letter signed by Zaev, Vucic and Rama.
It also emphasizes that although they are often called "gunpowder barrels" in Europe, as "responsible leaders" they cannot allow the region to sink into the nightmares of the past until the EU can do more for enlargement. " .
"We have our differences, we disagree on some political issues - but we all agree that the economy and the four European freedoms are a way to offer our region hope and lasting peace," the letter said, adding that the Open Balkans did not is a consolation prize instead of EU membership, but, on the contrary, a big step towards it. "
"Just as the Coal and Steel Community gave birth to the European Union after World War II, so the Open Balkans will be remembered as a turning point that brought our peoples closer to the EU - and full membership in the world's largest trading bloc," it said. in the letter.
The signatories say several European leaders and the US administration have already expressed their support, for which they are grateful. It adds that entrepreneurs, farmers and students from all over the Western Balkans have also shown their support and inspiration.
"Now the whole EU as such must join in fully supporting Open Balkans and encouraging our other neighbors to become fully involved in our initiative, from necessity to action. It is high time that all the nations of the region united for a better common future. It offers stability, tranquility and a better standard of living for all. "A future that rises above the quarrels of the past and that gives hope to our children in the countries they deserve to live in," concluded an open letter from the President of Serbia and the Prime Ministers of Northern Macedonia and Albania to the Western Balkans. newspaper Dan.
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