Nikolovski: Intensive work is being done on the possible entry of Montenegro into the "Open Balkan"

The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management of North Macedonia, Ljupco Nikolovski, said today that North Macedonia was expected to host the Food Fair organized by the "Open Balkan" Initiative and that intensive work was being done on the possible expansion of the Initiative to Montenegro.

The date of the fair, which should be held this year, has yet to be determined, and discussions are ongoing.

According to Nikolovski, it was an event similar to last year's Wine Fair in Belgrade, and the goal was to make that event traditional.

"We are talking about an event that would be established under the auspices of the 'Open Balkan'. We will initiate a meeting with the prime minister to agree on the date; it was discussed that it should be held here and become a tradition. The plan is to organize the fair in cooperation with our economic and other partners. We want to use the premises of the hotel 'Aleksandar Palace' for conferences, parking, and the facility of the sports center 'Boris Trajkovski', the entire complex," Nikolovski said at the press briefing.

He also points out that intensive work is being done with Montenegro on the possible expansion of the "Open Balkan" with this country as well.

"On Sunday, I will travel to Montenegro, where I will meet with Prime Minister Abazovic and the Deputy Prime Minister responsible for agriculture. We will have a series of activities related only to the "Open Balkan". There is a great desire to present our data on how much waiting at the border has decreased; how much it has increased transport; how much the value of cooperation has increased. We will present all that information. We are working in that direction with Montenegro, we are talking most directly and openly," Nikolovski said.

The minister added that all major companies from North Macedonia were looking for Montenegro as a partner.

"They constantly point out that 26 types of documents are no longer needed, the process is significantly accelerated, and they constantly point to the advantages of the Open Balkan. They are especially looking for Montenegro, they are also looking for Bosnia and Herzegovina, but above all Montenegro," the minister emphasizes.

As Nikolovski noted, political calls for the expansion of the "Open Balkan" were still valid for other countries in the region.