Open Balkan, the regional initiative of more intensive cooperation in the Western Balkan, launched by the leaders of Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia with the aim of free movement of goods, services, people and capital according to the EU model, marked its first year.
This initiative, which represents support for existing regional cooperation initiatives and is a response to the needs and demands of the economy and citizens to make it easier to do business, trade, travel and employ in the Western Balkan, is already producing concrete results.
However, further investments are needed in the construction and improvement of infrastructure, especially at border crossings, as well as the implementation of signed agreements in order for the effects of the initiative to be fully felt, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS) says.
As stated, the issuance of a common identification number, i.e. the first work permits, is expected soon, which will enable the employers of the Open Balkan to more easily find scarce personnel, as well as those who are looking for a job to get a job.
The founders of the Open Balkan initiative will also organize the First International Wine Fair in Belgrade from September 1 to 4 at the Belgrade Fair.
During that period, Belgrade will be the European capital of wine, and this manifestation will be an ideal opportunity to introduce wine producers and wineries from the entire region to the widest audience and thus ensure even greater visibility on the market.
The initiative launched in 2019 under the name Mini Schengen was renamed Open Balkan at the Summit in Skopje on July 29, 2021.
The regional initiative of more intensive cooperation in the Western Balkan, launched by the leaders of Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia with the aim of free movement of goods, services, people and capital according to the EU model, is open and is open to all economies in the region.
Main photo: Foto: Dragan Kostic (RFE/RL)