Rama, Vuciq, Zaev agree on free movement of goods and people

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vuciq, after meeting in Novi Sad with Albania's prime minister, Edi Rama, and Northern Macedonia Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, said the European Union's joint declaration of 4 foundation freedoms has been signed in the Western Balkans region, which is based on the implementation of the free movement of goods, capital, people and services.

At the joint media conference, Vuciq said that the aim of this initiative is that by the end of 2021, conditions will be created for citizens of Serbia, Northern Macedonia and Albania to cross the borders of the three countries with IDs.

Asked why Kosovo and Montenegro are not part of this meeting, Vuciq said that if you read the declaration, everyone is invited and there is no problem.

He added that when it comes to freedom of circulation of services, people, capital is of key importance to Serbia as well, and that is why Serbian authorities insist on removing the fee set by Kosovo.

CEFTA's “City does not have this problem, however, we want to have as close relations as possible and we do not want to have borders or administrative obstacles, we are ready. That's not a problem for us. The fact that we have differences for relations with Kosovo, other countries have recognised Kosovo's independence and Serbia has not recognised, so this is another issue. But when it comes to freedom of circulation, people, capital is of key importance to us. That's why we insist on removing the fee. Not only do we not want to have problems but we also want to establish certain rules to have this system. We patiently expect all of the six Western Balkan countries to come together, despite all the differences we have towards the status we know or do not know. But I believe this is of crucial importance to developing the entire region. When I talk about it, I believe that if we want to create this thing by 2021, people should try to put their emotions aside, that means that there is more direct investment in this region of”, Vuciq said.

While Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama said open issues among Western Balkan countries should not prevent agreements on the welfare of all citizens.

Rama said they have agreed to support the principles of a joint declaration, whose title tells them all, implementation of the European Union's fundamental freedoms in the Western Balkans region.

This meeting is aimed at no exclusiveity, rather it is a step with the aim of a comprehensive process and the statement speaks of Western Balkans, but on the other hand there is a way that has made it possible. There is a process that has hired us all with the support of our European partners from where we can learn that we should do more without expecting more than others. More in the function of our people, in the function of free movement in this territory. Also in the function of the movement of goods and services, but in capitals in this territory”, dekali Rama.

While Northern Macedonia Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said that in the region, co-operation must be improved for the fundamental tops as they are known in the European Union, which citizens want to deal with freedoms, free circulation of goods, services, people and, of course, free flow of transportation for an economic approach.

This will create what we expect together, is a Balkans that will definitely be respected more by all other regions of the world. A region that will be much more competitive with others in the world and more attractive to our citizens, to stay here, to work and plan their lives here. Of course, this will make us more attractive to foreign direct investment. So, we have a lot of unusable potential that can be exploited and with this cooperation that will lead to more respect from the EU. This initiative conveys a message for political relations in the region and is no longer the power of gunpowder”, Zaev stressed.

Otherwise, on November 10th in Ohrid the next meeting will be held, where they will be invited to join the Kosovo, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina process.