2022 Open Balkan: One voice and an opportunity for all
2022 Open Balkan: One voice and an opportunity for all

Author(s): Not Specified Author
Subject(s): Politics, Regional Geography, Economic policy, International relations/trade, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment
Published by: Mednarodni inštitut za bližnjevzhodne in balkanske študije IFIMES
Keywords: 2022; Open Balkan; Western Balkans; EU;
Summary/Abstract: In early October 2021, during the Slovenian presidency of the European Union (EU) an unsuccessful EU-Western Balkans countries summit was organized in Brdo pri Kranju, within the framework of strategic cooperation of the EU with the Western Balkans. The summit reaffirmed the words of the Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić (SNS) from the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, when he said that the EU “was a fairytale on paper” and underscored that “there is no great international or European solidarity.” Lack of interest of the EU in enlargement prompted the leaders of the Western Balkans countries to think about the future and seek optimal solutions for the complex situation. Recognizing the situation for the Balkan countries with respect to enlargement of the EU to the Western Balkans, three leaders, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, North Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev (SDSM) and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama (PS) decided in October 2019 to “take destiny in their own hands” and launched a visionary idea of establishment of a “mini Schengen.” In late July 2021, this idea evolved into a regional initiative “Open Balkan.” The initiative is no substitute for membership in the EU, but a path to accelerated membership and utilization of the existing but insufficiently used potential, which will facilitate economic prosperity.

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