Kosovo-Macedonia Governments Meeting Expected This Summer

Northern Macedonia Deputy Prime Minister Fatmir Bytyqi says regional co-operation should be witnessed through this meeting.

Bytyqi in an interview for Kosovo Press, stresses Northern Macedonia's support for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, respecting the interests of both sides.

Speaking of meeting with the pandemic, he says regional co-operation is key to economic recovery.

It is important that the gathering of two governments is well prepared, with a very clear agenda and concrete results, because what I expect is that once again we show that regional co-operation is key, not only with the opera, but in the post period - CO VID regional co-operation will be key to the economic recovery of countries in the Western Balkans, especially neighbouring countries. So, I think that very soon, by intensifying the preparations, we'll have the opportunity, if it gets done over the summer period, it'll be great. I think we should anticipate the challenges that await us in the post period. - COVID”, he said.

As for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, he recalls Macedonia's sacrifice to change its name, which, according to him, testifies that only with talks can problems be solved.

“As a government we support dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, respecting each one's right, but also respecting the interest of each party and finding common solution. We feel that only through conversation can difficulties be overcome”, he points out.

It also welcomes the initiative for linking the international agreement with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, northern Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, saying this decision testifies that the Western Balkan countries are more mature than the European Union itself.

According to him, all Balkan countries must overcome old challenges in order to move to a new phase of development and co-existence of all.

The “is the 21st century decision related to the 4 freedoms of the European Union. Free movement of citizens that should all be targeted. This proves that we Western Balkan politicians are sometimes more mature by our decisions than those who speak of EU freedoms... The government in the Republic of Kosovo, but the Balkan governments also realised that they must step forward because they realised that the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union does not happen when someone else decides, but does it together by showing and testifying with concrete results what we as a region should do first, then by integrating into the EU”, he says.

Northern Macedonia's deputy prime minister says for a stable economy there must be political and economic stability. As he adds that governments must offer predictability so they can bring in new investments.

“For a stable and developmental economy must have economic stability. Unfortunately, we in the Western Balkans are very fragile as countries and can easily come to political instability. What we need to aim for as governments is for economics and businesses to offer predictability both in legislative terms, or even in the policies we bring, because just predictability can bring new investments... We during the pandemic period, regardless of governments in different countries, showed that when we want to help each other, we also reach various light deals, such as green corridors, which proved that the Western Balkans could easily create the corridors of the movement of goods and food that was essential for our citizens. And this example should be used for the entire Balkans and the European Union, because this shows that we are willing to overcome the obstacles we have previously had for the good of our citizens”, he points out.