Following the resignation of PM Zoran Zaev, the Republic of North Macedonia will be represented by deputy prime minister Nikola Dimitrov at an Open Balkan meeting being held in Belgrade on November 3 and 4.

The story was confirmed by the Secretariat for European Affairs.

“Promoting regional cooperation through the Open Balkan initiative continues in Belgrade on 3 and 4 November 2021. The deputy prime minister for European Affairs will attend the meeting on behalf of the Government of North Macedonia”, an official announcement released by the secretariat read.

The decision comes after the resignation of Zoran Zaev as head of the executive branch as well as party leader.

On Monday, Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic posted a status on Facebook which led to some doubt on whether the planned meeting in Belgrade would even take place.

“Strong support for Open Balkan. Should we meet or have the meeting in Belgrade postponed in light of recent developments in Skopje?”, asked Vucic.

But the press office of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama confirmed for Euronews Albania that so far there are no changes to tomorrow’s agenda, despite Zaev’s decision to step down.

“Open Balkan”, the initiative brought to life from Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia was initially referred to as the “Balkan Mini-Schengen”, while it has still not been endorsed by the rest of the countries in the region, namely Kosovo, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.