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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Increasingly good political, economic relations between Serbia, North Macedonia

Belgrade, 31 March 2023

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic stated today that economic and political relations between Serbia and North Macedonia are getting better and better, and that the Open Balkans Initiative particularly contributed to that.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister of North Macedonia Dimitar Kovacevski, held after their meeting at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade, Brnabic said that a great part of today’s talks was dedicated to this initiative and projects.

Speaking about the Open Balkans Initiative, she said that she expects that the implementation and the distribution of a unique identification number that will enable easier movement of workforce will start from 1 July.

The economic relations between the two countries, as a consequence of the Open Balkans Initiative, are getting better and better, she assessed and voiced the expectation that this year the trade exchange will exceed €1.5 billion and perhaps reach €2 billion.

The Prime Minister pointed out that Serbia’s exports to North Macedonia increased by 16 percent, and that imports increased too, adding that our country is the fourth largest trade partner of North Macedonia, after Germany, Great Britain and Greece.

According to her, the improvement of trade and agricultural exchange, that is, exchange of food products was also discussed during today’s meeting.

Speaking about political relations, she announced that an updated memorandum on cooperation in the field of European integration from 2013 will be signed on 6 April, noting that the date for the third joint session of the governments of the two countries, which will be held in Serbia, is being agreed on.

Brnabic said that our country supports the European integration process of North Macedonia, adding that everything that is good for the countries of the region with the aim of faster European integration is also good for Serbia.

The Prime Minister expressed her belief that the Miratovac-Lojane border crossing will be opened, which was signed by the interior ministers of the two countries in February.

The Prime Minister said that she and her counterpart from North Macedonia discussed all topics of interest to the two countries, with the aim of further rapprochement, deepening of economic relations and cooperation, which is in the interest of both parties, and above all of the citizens.

Kovacevski underlined that today's talks with President of the Republic Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Brnabic, as well as the plenary meeting of the delegations of Serbia and North Macedonia, are another great confirmation of bilateral cooperation, which is at the highest level.

He pointed out that there is not a single open issue or unresolved problem between the two countries, but only discussions that will contribute to more successful cooperation and a better future for the citizens.

The governments of the two countries are focused on raising the economic and social standard of citizens, enabling a fast and efficient business environment, on being able to react and analyse their business plans in a reasonable, faster time than what we had in the past, said the Prime Minister of North Macedonia.

He added that excellent cooperation brings with it quality solutions in times of crisis, which is a great incentive for us to invest even more strongly in the stable and prosperous Western Balkans.

At the same time, he pointed out that the cultural cooperation between the two countries is at the highest level, as well as that the Bill on confirmation of the agreement between the government of Serbia and the government of North Macedonia on the establishment of cultural and information centres in Skopje and Belgrade passed the parliamentary procedures and it needs to be confirmed.

In this context, Brnabic said that she will discuss with the Speaker of the Serbian parliament putting the mentioned bill on the parliament's agenda as soon as possible and starting immediately with the establishment of cultural centres.

She added that Serbia will give its Cultural Centre in Paris to the promotion of the Open Balkans Initiative, so that the culture of Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania would be affirmed in that institution.