Spasovski: The goal of the Open Balkan is better relations between the countries of the region

The Minister of Internal Affairs of North Macedonia, Oliver Spasovski, said that better relations between the countries of the region were the goal of the Open Balkan initiative, which was why, as he said, it was equally supported by the European Union and the US, adding that it was in no way an alternative to the EU.

Spasovski said this at the International Round Table, which had been held on the topic "How to make the Western Balkans better and more prosperous from a security point of view", and had been organized by the International Institute for Middle Eastern and Balkan Studies IFIMES in Ljubljana.

When asked about the Open Balkan, as an initiative in which North Macedonia was shown as an example that connected the countries that had been in conflict until yesterday, Spasovski pointed out that the goal of that regional initiative was better relations between the countries of the region.

"But the Open Balkan is in no way an alternative to the EU, which represents our national interest. There is no detour from the path to the European family, but while we wait we must help each other regionally; to enable our people, products, and services to move freely, unhindered use of the workforce, recognition of diplomas. These days, at one of the largest fairs in Italy, we had a joint performance as the Open Balkan. And that is the goal - to help ourselves on the way to the EU, to create a better life for our citizens," Spasovski emphasized.

Moderator of the discussion, Zijad Becirovic, on the occasion of marking the 74th anniversary of the creation of NATO, reminded that North Macedonia had become the 30th member state of NATO precisely at the time when the current Minister of the Interior, Oliver Spasovski, had been the Prime Minister.

Speaking about the experiences of that step and the effects of membership in the Alliance, Spasovski said that it was an important issue for all countries in the region.

"If our common goal is to become a region that will export peace and stability, then we must unite, have common policies and create a policy that we can implement together. If we want to progress, economic development, and a better standard for our citizens, without security we will not succeed," he said.

From the moment North Macedonia became part of NATO, as Spasovski says, foreign investments, interest in the country from a business perspective, and cooperation not only with the countries of the region but also with NATO and EU member countries have increased.