The conference "Open Balkan: A Path to Stabilization, Cooperation, and Prosperity for the Region" is taking place today in the Serbian Assembly. Attendees include Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, North Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister Nikola Dimitrov, and U.S. Special Envoy for the Balkans Gabriel Escobar. The event was opened by Serbian Assembly President Ivica Dačić, U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Anthony Godfrey, and Member of Parliament and Serbian-American Friendship Congress (SAFC) founder Vladimir Marinković.
The conference began with a moment of silence for the victims of a bus accident in Bulgaria and an explosion at a factory in Leštani. Prime Minister Ana Brnabić stated that, in addition to the primary foreign policy priority of European integration, regional security, stability, and prosperity are equally important for Serbia, which the Open Balkan initiative aims to address. "We are a relatively small region, and instability anywhere within it will undoubtedly negatively impact any of us. Serbia has achieved some of the best economic results in Europe over the past seven years, creating 60,000 new jobs despite the coronavirus crisis. We have a clear plan for the future and a record level of capital investments, and for the first time in decades, we see a bright future ahead," said Brnabić. She emphasized that if the benefits of such initiatives are not extended to neighboring countries, Serbia risks losing its achievements.
"This is not just a nice political idea but the smartest possible policy for Serbia and our partners in the Open Balkan. I hope others in the region will also see this and join," Brnabić added. She highlighted the importance of achieving the goals of the initiative regarding the free movement of people, goods, and labor in the region.
"Investors seek a favorable environment for investment, which is a significant comparative advantage, especially considering the high unemployment rates in Albania and North Macedonia. Investors will see the benefits of a large market with a workforce," she noted. Brnabić estimated that achieving these goals would increase the GDP of each Open Balkan country by one percent within two to three years and potentially by up to seven percent if another country joins in the next five to seven years. The Open Balkan initiative, she concluded, is undoubtedly the most important regional project and has proven to be a success in addressing the needs of our citizens and states in just two years since the signing of the Novi Sad Declaration.
Assembly President Ivica Dačić commented that the Open Balkan initiative has come a long way since the Novi Sad Declaration, noting that initially, there was more skepticism than support. "There was much pessimism about this initiative in the region, with claims that it was a consolation prize for EU membership or an attempt to recreate Yugoslavia. I'm glad those views were wrong," Dačić said. He emphasized that the initiative is not about creating a new Yugoslavia but about transforming the Balkan region. He added that it is the first regional initiative in 30 years with a real chance of success, noting that previous initiatives lacked genuine will.
"Open Balkan is our invention, a product of our region, a tool to connect our societies and economies through open borders for goods, people, capital, and services. Previous barriers have impeded our development, wasting time and resources and causing significant economic damage," Dačić explained. He expressed satisfaction that both the U.S. and EU support the initiative and called on other regional countries to join. He warned that if they believe joining would pose a risk, they must be prepared to explain to their citizens why their goods are more expensive and why jobs are harder to find.
Gabriel Escobar, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Balkans, stated that the U.S. supports the Open Balkan initiative but believes it will be incomplete without the involvement of all six economies of the Western Balkans. In his online address during the political panel of the conference, Escobar emphasized that the U.S. supports all efforts towards regional integration, including the integration of all six economies and into Europe. "This region provides exceptional opportunities. People from the Balkans have contributed significantly to building European societies, and now it’s time for them to build their own societies, retain young people, and work towards a better future for their countries," Escobar said.
Escobar pointed out that Serbia, Albania, and North Macedonia will face numerous challenges in implementing the Open Balkan, such as border control, improving judicial effectiveness, reducing corruption, and minimizing state control over the economy. "It is important that the three countries driving this initiative remain open and engage closely with the three skeptical partners. Without all six countries, this initiative cannot succeed," he said. He assured that the U.S. is willing to help ensure that the initiative aligns with international standards and to partner with Europe to make this region one of the most important economies in Europe.
U.S. Ambassador Anthony Godfrey also addressed the conference, stating that the Open Balkan will reach its full potential only if the entire region is included. "We have been too isolated for too long, and we must ensure that in the future, we do not end up in a deadlock with the EU," he said.
North Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister Nikola Dimitrov, speaking at the conference, emphasized the need for the region to send a message of stability and solution-oriented approaches, focusing on the future rather than being trapped by the past.
In his address via video link at the "Open Balkan: A Path to Stabilization, Cooperation, and Prosperity" conference, North Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister Nikola Dimitrov emphasized that the Open Balkan initiative is a critical step towards creating a unified market based on the free movement of people, goods, capital, and investments. He highlighted that this initiative will support green transition efforts and aid in the path to EU membership. Dimitrov pointed out that current growth rates in the region could mean reaching EU average development levels in six decades, noting that in 2016, people spent 26 million hours annually waiting at borders in the region. He stressed that removing barriers will improve the region's attractiveness to foreign investors and support regional cooperation in alignment with EU integration efforts.
Dimitrov also discussed the importance of retaining young talent within the region, stating that the loss of human capital occurs when youth migrate for a European lifestyle. He underscored that the Open Balkan initiative is open to all regional countries and emphasized that the three founding members must demonstrate concrete results.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama echoed similar sentiments, explaining that Albania, Serbia, and North Macedonia pursued the Open Balkan initiative because they could no longer wait for EU promises. In his online address during the conference, Rama stressed that the region's economies have awaited this initiative for a long time, and it will facilitate faster economic development through open borders for goods, services, people, and capital. He mentioned that recent sessions have led to significant steps, with a summit in Tirana in December set to finalize agreements that will ease working conditions for businesses and individuals affected by borders and bureaucracy.
Rama criticized the need for the initiative’s proponents to convince other regional economies to join, asserting that the value of the initiative is self-evident. He expressed pride in the impactful steps being taken and criticized the Berlin Process for its lack of practical outcomes. He noted that the biggest challenge is the inability of all Western Balkan countries to reach consensus, and he emphasized that waiting for the EU’s uncertain promises is no longer an option.
Rama clarified that the Open Balkan initiative is not about recreating Yugoslavia or serving as a consolation prize for EU membership, but rather complements EU integration efforts. It aims to prepare member countries for EU membership and ensure they can join the EU as a cohesive unit.
