The President of the European Council Charles Michel said he endorses the Open Balkan and hopes that other countries join the initiative, too.

According to him, the more countries join the better as it would strengthen economic structures.

LIVE NOW – Follow my press conference with PM of Albania @ediramaal in Tirana https://t.co/kcdhUKQMGf

— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) May 20, 2022

For the President of the EU Council, the Open Balkan is a good opportunity that brings the region closer to the EU.

Prime Minister Edi Rama asserted that there is a ‘mistaken myth’ that says Germany is against the initiative and urged Michel to encourage more inclusion.

Michel recalled that in a few weeks the French Presidency of the Council will convene, meanwhile Rama said that as long as there’s hope for Bulgaria to lift its veto on North Macedonia, Tirana will continue to endorse the idea of sharing its integration path with Skopje.

But Rama added that in case there is no solution to this dispute, then Albania ‘will be on its right’ to ask to detach itself from the Bulgaria-North Macedonia row.