Fetahu: The Open Balkan initiative is producing concrete results

Endri Fetahu, Vice President of the Macedonian Party in Albania, says for Kosovo Online that the Open Balkan Initiative is producing concrete results and that announcements about a possible departure from North Macedonia should be viewed solely through the prism of pre-election rhetoric.

"I don't believe that any political party in North Macedonia has an interest in being against the European Union and the United States. As we know, these two partners have supported the Open Balkan, and I think it doesn't bode well for Albanian politicians in North Macedonia if they oppose the policies of these allies," Fetahu stated.

Commenting on the announcement by the presidential candidate of the Albanian coalition "VLEN," Arben Taravari, that one of the first moves upon coming to power would be to exclude North Macedonia from the Open Balkan Initiative, Fetahu says it was political rhetoric, and that the policy of a state does not depend on the will of individuals.

"The policy of a state does not depend solely on the will or desire of an individual. These are state policies that require deeper coordination because the Open Balkan has been functioning for years based on several agreements between Albania, Serbia, and North Macedonia. This means that violating these agreements does not come without costs," he said.

Fetahu does not believe that such rhetoric from Albanian politicians could jeopardize North Macedonia's progress, especially its territorial integrity.

"Throughout all these years, the Albanian community in this country has been a stabilizing factor. Local Albanians are very aware that they are citizens of this country and are naturally dedicated to its well-being. Of course, there are moments when, due to election campaigns to gain a few extra votes, populist statements are made. Naturally, all parties make populist statements before elections, but so far, very few of them have practically implemented these statements," Fetahu explained.

He says that the Macedonian community in Albania has been in favor of the Open Balkan from the beginning because they saw it as an opportunity to work, study, or do business more easily with other members of the initiative.

"We, as the Macedonian minority in this country, supported the government's policy for the Open Balkan because it was in the interest of members of our minority who work, study, or do business with these two countries, North Macedonia and Serbia. The initiative is welcome. These initiatives bring Balkan countries closer, and if our goal is to enter Europe, this is the first step," Fetahu concluded.