Special chorus for the Open Balkans “” on the border between Serbia and Macedonia of V.

The agreements on recognition of the status of authorised economic subjects, based on an earlier 2021 Finance Ministry declaration, greatly facilitate border crossings and bring benefits to several companies.

Serbian Finance Minister Sinisa Mali has declared that the initiative of the Open “Balkan” aims to significantly accelerate the flow of goods and services, create a single labour market and better business conditions for companies.

He said this would inevitably lead to a faster development of the economy and to a higher standard of living for citizens of the signatory countries of this initiative.

“Cameons should not wait for hours at the border, but all necessary procedures will be carried out quickly and efficiently. That way we hear the voice of the economy and contribute to further improvement of the economic environment in our country”, said Mali, Rel.

He also said that agreements have been signed under this initiative, which in addition to facilitating trade, should also contribute to co-operation in the field of food, phytosanitary and veterinarian inspections.

Mali also recalled the agreement reached for a single work permit between Serbia, Northern Macedonia and Albania.

“We are resolving issues that weighing the economy, such as expectations at border points, complex administrative procedures, or lack of labor force. All of these are things that bring numerous benefits to all member states of the Open “Balkan”, Mal has declared.

What is the “Open Balkans”?

The “Open Balkans initiative”, originally called “Meni-Seneneni”, was founded in October 2019.

Later, in Novi Sad of Serbia, Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, Albania's prime minister, Edi Rama and former Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev signed a declaration aimed at creating “Mini-Shengen” between the three countries.

At their delegation meetings, the three states have decided that the free movement of citizens will be done with IDs and that customs controls will be removed by January 1st 2023.

Also signed was the agreement on co-operation in preventing and eliminating the consequences of natural disasters.

In December 2021, the agreement was signed facilitating the obtaining of permits for workers from Serbia, Northern Macedonia and Albania, as well as several agreements in the field of veterinary and phytosanitary inspection.

Initiators of the Open “Balkan” have repeatedly reiterated that this initiative is “inclusive “and have called on other Western Balkan countries to join, but Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo have not enthusiastically seen this idea.

Political parties in Kosovo, in power and in opposition, assess that such an initiative is without vision and danger.

Montenegro's political representatives, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, remain in the position that they should not become part of initiatives that can be seen as alternative to their path towards integration into the European Union.