The working group of the Open Balkan initiative agreed on the activities that will be held ahead of the upcoming high-level meeting due in Tirana in December.

According to the Serbian government, the activities will see to easy trade and cooperation in several areas, including here food safety, phytosanitary and veterinary inspections as well as free access in the labor market.

The initiative came to life from three participating countries, namely Serbia, Albania, and North Macedonia in an effort to create a common market that enables the free movement of goods, services, capital, and persons among the three Balkan nations.

A statement released from the Serbian government noted that a meeting between ministers in Nis enabled the establishment of a joint working group that will harmonize trilateral tax policies.

Kosovo, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina have openly refused to join the Open Balkan.

The government of Kosovo led by PM Albin Kurti dismissed the initiative and called on neighboring countries to remain committed to the EU integration agenda.