Three Balkan states to abolish mutual border controls | Europe and Europeans: news and analytics | DW

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Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania have decided not to wait for accession to the European Union and already now make sure that their citizens can move freely within three countries: Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, his North Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev and President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic have agreed with 1 January 2023, abolish mutual border controls.

Border crossing Tabanovce on the North Macedonian-Serbian border

This decision was made by the leaders of the Balkan states following a meeting within the framework of the Economic Forum on Regional Cooperation in Skopje on Thursday, July 29. As Aleksandar Vucic explained, the borders between the countries will remain, but “there will be no stops for control on the way from Belgrade to Tirana and back.” “This will be a historic moment,” the head of the Serbian state said.

Edi Rama, in turn, said that the cooperation of the Balkan countries should contribute to their early accession to the EU, which all three states are striving for. “We have no reason to stand with our backs to each other within our borders, – said the head of the Albanian government. – Today we are starting what we will do tomorrow in the European Union.”

“Open Balkans” and regional cooperation

Under the Open Balkans Initiative – formerly called Mini Schengen – politicians have also agreed to simplify trilateral trade, open up their labor markets, and cooperate in dealing with natural disasters and dealing with their consequences. To this end, they signed agreements of intent.

It was planned to involve also Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo in the initiative. However, until now these countries have not supported it. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has once again confirmed that his country does not want to participate in this. He fears that the Serbian government intends to create a “fourth Yugoslavia.”

Balkan countries and the European Union

The three heads of state expressed disappointment at the fact that the European Union has not yet started negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia on EU accession. The reason, apparently, is the veto by Bulgaria, which blocked the application from Skopje due to the differences between the two countries related to their history and language. North Macedonia has been a candidate for EU membership since 2005.

Prime Minister Zaev stressed that both North Macedonia and Albania have met all the criteria necessary for joining the European Union. The fact that “the EU does not fulfill its promises due to problems with one of its members” “contradicts the European idea and the interests of the EU itself,” Zayev said. He added that the countries of the Western Balkans could not wait for the EU to solve all internal problems in order to start developing this region.

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