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Voxpress:

Escobar: Washington's two conditions for the "Open Balkan" initiative

2022-12-13 20:53:27Politikë SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Escobar: Washington's two conditions for the "Open Balkan"
The US Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, and the Chief of the Editorial Office for Kosovo of Radio Free Europe, Amra Zejneli-Loxha, during the interview

The American special envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, has shown how Washington sees the "Open Balkans" initiative. In an interview for "Radio Evropa e Lire" he says that the US has a clear position on this issue.

"Our position regarding the Open Balkans is very clear. We support all initiatives for regional economic integration, with two conditions. First, that they bring you closer to Europe and do not conflict with your European obligations, be it the Berlin Process or any initiative led by the EU.

And second, that all Western Balkan states be allowed to join [the initiatives] as full members. So far, the Open Balkans qualifies in these two categories. Now, if it fails to respect any of these two conditions, we will absolutely withdraw support for the Open Balkans", said Escobar.

Asked if Montenegro's membership in this initiative will risk destabilizing this country, Escobar says he doesn't see it that way.

"No. I don't think so, because to be clear, the Open Balkans initiative is benefiting from the existing trends of regional integration. And COVID has accelerated this integration in the region because people couldn't travel by air, they traveled by car. They traveled more by car in the region.

You have seen Serbs going to the Albanian coast, you have seen Albanian businessmen doing more business in Belgrade, going there to be vaccinated. You have seen very important energy and transport links between North Macedonia and the rest of the region.

So this is already happening. The question is how best to build momentum to remove barriers to free trade. Therefore, whether it is the Berlin Process, the Open Balkans, CEFTA, the Council for Regional Cooperation or the common regional market, we support them all ," said Escobar.

 


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