Interview Exclusive
DIMITAR KOVACHEVSKI
PRIME MINISTER OF NORTH MACEDONIA
Europeanisation Of The
Western Balkans The Open Balkan is our autochthonous, organic initiative created by our institutions and seriously supported by all citizens living in our countries; it enables us to achieve our 21st century vision of the Balkans as a progressive region integrated into Europe, where peace, stability and development will no longer be questioned by anyone ~ Dimitar Kovachevski
T
he Open Balkan Summit “shattered” all scepticism and reservations regarding the initiative, while the initiative itself continues taking the next big strides forward, says North Macedonia Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski in this CorD Magazine interview, summarising his impressions from Ohrid’s Open Balkan summit. This initiative is not a replacement for European integration, but
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July
it is an idea that promotes regional connectivity and that emerged with the view to the model of the concept of connecting European states, explains the North Macedonian PM. He adds that strengthening economic ties and other links in the region benefits citizens, which he believes is an argument that will also be accepted by the countries of the region that have yet to join the Open Balkan initiative.
As host of the recent meeting of leaders of the countries of the region, within the framework of the Open Balkan initiative, how would you assess this regional project?
Open Balkan is an authentic initiative created by North Macedonia, Serbia and Albania that aims to ensure a stable and prosperous region. It is the practical implementation of the four freedoms that
