The letter of the three leaders Rama, Vucic and Zaev, regarding the Open Balkans, is published, just two days before the next meeting regarding this initiative that will be held in Tirana.

In the letter published by the newspaper “Express” which bears the signature of the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama; Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and North Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev are urging other countries in the region to join the initiative.

The letter states that their vision is to overcome the social, economic and trade barriers that slow down the region’s economic growth through the implementation of the four fundamental freedoms of the EU.

Although the Open Balkans initiative so far includes only Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia, Rama, Vucic and Zaev stress that the initiative has been and will be open to all other Western Balkan countries.

“We have our divisions, we do not agree on some political issues, but we all agree that the EU economy and the four fundamental freedoms are the best way to give our region hope for a lasting peace. The Open Balkans is not a comforting price instead of EU membership, but on the contrary, a big step towards it”, it is said in the open letter.

A call from Rama, Vucic and Zaev also goes to the EU where they emphasize that it should unite and fully support the Open Balkans and encourage other neighbors to transform the inclusiveness of the initiative from a need to an action.

“It’s time for all the nations and peoples of the region to come together for a better common future. For a future that offers stability, peace and higher living standards for all. A future that transcends the disputes of the past and gives our children hope in the place where they deserve to live,”the letter reads.

/Klara Ruci/