The Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, on the eve of today's economic forum in Skopje, spoke exclusively for "Avaz". He says that this is an initiative that is of exceptional importance for the region of the Western Balkans.

Name change

- Representatives of more than 300 companies, as well as international institutions, who have expressed great interest, will be present in Skopje. The new name of the initiative, which we launched together with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, and which has so far been informally called "Mini Schengen", will be promoted at this event. A memorandum of understanding and an interstate agreement will be signed at the forum, which will greatly facilitate the lives of the citizens of the region and the business community - Zaev pointed out.

When asked about Bosnia and Herzegovina's participation in this regional initiative, Zaev said that North Macedonia, Serbia and Albania were open to all other countries in the Western Balkans from the very beginning.

Easier import

- We will point this out once again on this forum. This means that the call is open to everyone, including B&H. I emphasized this at the last meeting with the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of B&H, Zoran Tegeltija. However, each state decides for itself whether it will join this initiative, which, and I am deeply convinced of that, brings the most benefits to the citizens - Zaev concluded.

For example, as Zaev stated, one of the documents that will be signed today contains provisions for simpler import, export and movement/transit of goods.

- There is also the cooperation of customs and other competent authorities, as well as special provisions on food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary issues and free movement of industrial non-food products. The second memorandum is important for the movement on the labor market in the region. It obliges the parties to ensure easier and freer access to the labor market, all with the aim of revoking work permits or simplifying the procedures related to obtaining temporary work permits - Zaev told us.

Three agreements

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has already arrived in Skopje and held meetings with colleagues Edi Rama and Zoran Zaev.

Vučić also announced that the name of the "Mini Schengen" initiative will be changed at today's regional economic forum in Skopje and that three agreements will be signed, as well as that "fast lanes" for faster passage will be made at the border crossings in the coming period for people from the region, as there are special lanes for people from the European Union at the entrance to European countries.

- We worked on three documents and I believe that we will sign them in Skopje, they are important documents on trade, work permits and mutual support in case of fires, floods and other disasters, which is in the interest of our peoples - Vučić explained.

The B&H government has not expressed a specific intention

Joining the initiative is also open to other economies in the Western Balkans, however, as "Avaz" finds out, Bosnia and Herzegovina did not receive an invitation to participate in the summit or join the announced agreements, all due to the fact that so far B&H the government did not express a specific intention to become part of this story.