TIRANA, Dec 21 /ATA/ – Western Balkan leaders adopted a joint declaration following the third regional meeting in Tirana on Saturday, expressing strong commitment to implement the four EU freedoms in the region and advance each country’s objective to join the European Union.
The final declaration following the summit states that “the 6 Western Balkan countries are welcomed to join these efforts, because of the inclusive spirit, regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations, as well as the vision to improve our citizens’ living conditions.”
Leaders also have agreed that Western Balkan nationals should be allowed to live, travel and work in any of the countries, contributing to the creation of a common economic market. “Albania, Serbia and North Macedonia will treat citizens of each like nationals for the purpose of travel, residence, and working in each country. We will aim to sign the agreement by end of January 2020 and to complete those processes as soon as possible thereafter. This must build upon the harmonization of domestic legislation on the movement of people, work permits, and residence permits.”
“The three agreed that persons traveling to the region will be able to move within the parties without further visa or immigration restrictions. This should promote tourism and travel to the region. An agreement to this effect will be developed and signed at the next meeting,” the joint statement read.
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