Largest regional wine fair "Wine Vision by Open Balkan" presented in Skopje

A presentation of the largest regional wine fair, "Wine Vision by Open Balkan," was held in Skopje, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Economy of North Macedonia in collaboration with the relevant ministries of Serbia and Albania.

Last year, within the framework of the Open Balkan initiative, wine was promoted as the region's most significant product, which was confirmed at the wine fair "Wine Vision by Open Balkan," which had its first edition in Belgrade last year and attracted enormous media attention. In order to strengthen the potential of this joint wine fair, member countries of the Open Balkan are organizing promotions throughout the region until its second edition this autumn.

The Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovacevski, emphasized that the countries of the Open Balkan are together, have always been together, and will always be together in this region. However, he said, the difference now lies in the fact that they have never collaborated in the past, and this cooperation is now evident through events and activities such as the wine fair "Wine Vision by Open Balkan," which is evolving into one of the three largest wine fairs in the world.

"The results of the Open Balkan can already be seen in the numbers. Trade and exchange between the three countries have increased by 25%. Trade with Serbia has exceeded 1.1 billion euros, the highest level in the last 17 years. In just the past year, trade with Albania increased by 40% and with Serbia by 50%. We have introduced green lanes for transporters to avoid waiting at borders. We are implementing electronic identification systems that will enable workers to move freely between our three countries. In practice, we are implementing three EU freedoms here in the Balkans, as it should be," Kovacevski said.

The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Economy of North Macedonia, Ljupco Nikolovski, emphasizes that the vision of how the Balkans should function, which was conceived a few years ago, is now a success story.

"The region is united, with open borders, increased economic cooperation, and many more benefits for the citizens of all three member countries of the Open Balkan. If we start from the well-known saying that "in wine, there is truth,' this is our truth – a united, beautiful Balkans. We are a generation of politicians making bold decisions. Afterward, we will be remembered as the generation that opened borders and created a future for the entire region," Minister Nikolovski emphasized.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Albania, Arian Jaupllari, stated that his country has potential in viticulture and traditional wine production.

"In 2022, we had a production of 30,000 hectoliters of wine, with a 15% increase compared to 2021. Today, our labels are present at the most important trade fairs in the sector. We also expect Albania's membership in the International Organization of Vine and Wine. The legal framework, aligned with EU legislation that regulates a large part of the sector, also increases the safety of the final product in the sector," Jaupllari said.

The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Economy of Serbia, Jelena Tanaskovic, invited interested parties to the Wine Fair, which will take place in Belgrade from November 16 to 19 this year.

"I would like to invite all of you to come and be present at another unforgettable event. I have to quote my president, who wants to say that the Open Balkan has shown how Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania, with joint efforts, can show the world what we are capable of. I believe we have shown that we are not only suitable partners with something to show but also a partner who is very serious about what we do and who year after year crosses borders with serious steps," Tanaskovic said.