Zaev, Vucic, Rama want support from new German chancellor for Open Balkans

 

 The prime ministers of Macedonia and Albania, Zoran Zaev and Edi Rama, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, in an article for the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), called on the new German government to support the Open Balkans initiative, Skopje's Nezavisen reported.

"We hope that the new government in Germany will accept and support the Open Balkans initiative as a contribution to the full implementation of the Berlin Process," the three leaders said.

In the text, they emphasized that Europe was not only a continent but also a vision, but assessed that the citizens of the Western Balkans, "who are a significant part of the continent and this vision", had been excluded and ignored for too long.

 "The desire of our citizens to be accepted by the EU members has been thwarted several times - by the internal policies of the member states, by the non-fulfillment of promises and the fear of the future. This has led to frustration, instability, emigration and a lack of large investments. As the political leaders of these countries, we can either complain - or do something about it. We have decided on the latter, "reads the text entitled" Perspectives for the Balkans ", signed by Zaev, Vucic and Rama.

The three leaders in the text recall that in November 2019 they signed a preliminary agreement in support of the Berlin Process, taking responsibility for deeper cooperation in the region.

 "Our vision is to overcome the social, economic and trade barriers that hinder the economic growth of our region by implementing the four European freedoms in our countries. That is why we have signed agreements that abolish border controls so that goods can pass almost without interruption and that allow our citizens to work smoothly in another country, "the author's text reads.

The leaders explained that the Open Balkans initiative had proved effective and useful in overcoming the very difficult times of the pandemic.

 "Although the initiative currently includes only Serbia, Albania and northern Macedonia, it is open to all members of the Western Balkans," Zaev, Vucic and Rama said, and again called on all neighbors to join their population, as they say. offer the benefits they offer to their citizens.

"Often criticized as a European powder keg, we, as responsible politicians, cannot allow our region to return to the nightmares of the past, at a time when the EU cannot do more for its enlargement," the statement said. "This is not a consolation prize instead of EU membership, but a big step towards membership."

 Hoping that the new government in Germany will accept and support the Open Balkans initiative, the three leaders noted that several heads of state and government of European countries and the US government have already expressed their support, as well as the support of entrepreneurs, farmers and students. from all over the Western Balkans.

 "Now the whole EU must join in supporting this initiative and encourage our neighbors, its full implementation and the need to make it a reality. It is high time that all the peoples and peoples of the region come together for a better future - one that offers stability, peace and a higher standard of living for all. A future that rises above the disputes of the past and gives our children and countries the hope they deserve to live in, "Zaev, Vucic and Rama concluded.