The leaders of two of the countries who have refused to be a part of the Open Balkan, namely Kosovo and Montenegro, were guest speakers at an online conference organized by the European Studies Centre at the University of Oxford.
Titled “Open Balkan and/or European Integration: An answer or a diversion?” the event sought to present the perspective of the two countries who have refused and even warned about the threats that the initiative may bring.
“Every initiative needs to align with the European agenda, operate according to the rules of Europe, and bring as closed to membership. We maintain the Berlin Process as the only framework with plenty of initiatives. We’ve endorsed the Berlin Process and will continue to support it, where all countries are equal”, Kurti said.
But, deputy premier Dritan Abazovic doesn’t see the Open Balkan as an initiative that hampers EU integration.
“Montenegro’s goal is to join the EU; we’re not looking for something that resembles to the EU. Anything else that simply looks like its substitute is dangerous for the country. Nevertheless, I don’t see the Open Balkan as a means to damage this goal, but I see it in another way, which is to help European integration. Because we need to increase the trust, be more successful”, said Abazovic.
