4 days before the upcoming meeting on the Open Balkan initiative, the Albanian government has adopted two decisions that are linked to the regional project between Albania, Serbia and North Macedonia. In the upcoming meeting of the Council of Ministers, the decision regarding electronic identification for citizens of the Western Balkans, as well as the decision on free access to the labor market in the region have been adopted.

The decision on free access to the job market has already come into force between Kosovo and Albania, after an agreement signed by the prime minister of both countries last month, whereas today’s decision will go on to include North Macedonia and Serbia.

The next Open Balkan meeting will be taking place on December 21, in Tirana. North Macedonia’s PM, Zoran Zaev and Serbia’s president, Aleksandar Vucic will be attending the meeting organized by Albania’s PM Edi Rama in the capital city.

The mini-Schengen idea for the Western Balkans, which is now broadly known as Open Balkan, was presented in Novi Sad, on October 10, 2019 by leaders from the three participating countries.

So far, these three leaders have signed 2 memorandums and one interstate agreement, that are focused on facilitating the free movement of people and goods, with the goal of further strengthening our economic collaboration.

Kosovo has refused to participate in this initiative and has even called it dangerous.