Jokovic: I am a big supporter of Montenegro joining the "Open Balkan"

Farmers and companies would benefit from Montenegro's accession to the "Open Balkan", because, among other things, monopolies and corruption would be reduced, export and import procedures would be simplified, and phytosanitary findings and certificates would be recognized, Vladimir Jokovic, responsible minister and deputy prime minister of Montenegro in the technical mandate said today.

Jokovic told reporters in Villa Gorica in Podgorica and reiterated that he was a big supporter of Montenegro's accession to this initiative because agricultural producers and companies would benefit the most from it.

"Everything that normally happens in trade between these countries happens here, but the bottom line is that it is much faster. This also reduces monopolies and corruption, simplifies export and import procedures, recognizes phytosanitary findings and the correctness of food, as and diplomas and university titles between countries," Jokovic said after the conversation with the Minister of Agriculture,

Forestry and Water Management of North Macedonia Ljupco Nikolovski.

He stated that all those who sincerely wanted it and freed themselves from political considerations would benefit from that initiative.

"We are thinking exclusively about the well-being of agricultural producers and companies and transport companies that waste a lot of time in transport and waiting. The essence is to avoid many other costs such as shipping, customs, parking," Jokovic added and said that in the Open Balkan everyone won and that there was no basis for stories about "Greater Albania" or "greater North Macedonia".

Nikolovski believes that, when it comes to the Open Balkan, it is not a political initiative, but an economic one, which can only bring benefits to citizens and companies in terms of reduced waiting at the borders, free flow of goods, recognition of analysis and certificates and reduction of costs.

"We are here to realize the values of the 21st century, such as the free movement of goods. Enough talk, take actions and steps to achieve it,” Nikolovski said and added that there was huge support from the citizens of North Macedonia for this initiative.

He announced that he believed that Montenegro would accept the invitation to the Open Balkan as soon as possible.

Nikolovski explained that each country certainly maintained its national monitoring programs if it considered a product to be unsafe.

"Who else will help us if we don't help ourselves in the region," Nikolovski said, among other things, the “Mina” agency reported.