TIRANA, July 26/ATA/ Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia Fatmir Bytyqi stated today at the joint conference on the topic “Main challenges and facilitating solutions for the region”, that “we have agreed to overcome the energy crisis as well as the possible effects of the war in Ukraine in terms of food shortages”.
“We must address and overcome these challenges together. I appreciate that this is a historic step for the Western Balkans region because we are not used to seeing a common addressing of problems, but instead we are much more used to creating obstacles”, he said.
“Regarding the energy crisis, we have said and agreed that under the conditions of the global economic crisis, regional interconnection is required in order to ensure greater stability and security in energy. We share the same stance with our partners in the region, in Albania and Serbia. And this should be an incentive for all the countries of the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe to join the joint consideration of this problem”, said Bytyqi.
“Our priority is regional connection. We should finally start talking about increasing energy capacities and secure energy supply”, Bytyqi emphasized.
“Our government will support every new idea for joint investments, therefore I consider that all the countries of the Western Balkans should think on the fight against the energy crisis through joint investments in the near future”, said Bytyqi.
“I am very pleased that the Republic of Albania makes all existing resources and capacities available to the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Serbia to enable us to have enough material for energy production. And I hope that after the various information and reports of the working groups, this will be operational in a proper way and materialized in the right way in the next period”, emphasized Bytyqi.
“I am satisfied with the steps we have taken regarding food problems and the food crisis. I know that our unilateral decision to ban exports has caused certain reactions, but we have clarified that this was due to our internal needs and that we are still open and will apply preferential treatment in regard to the countries that are part of the Open Balkans considering their needs and avoiding the ban on exports”, said Bytyqi.
“All the three countries are in agreement that food security in the conditions of the world crisis is a challenge and therefore we must create all cooperation mechanisms between our countries”, underlined Bytyqi.
Speaking about trade, Bytyqi said, “We have agreed to use the good practices. Such a good practice is the “one-stop-shop” between Serbia and North Macedonia, for people and for goods. And it really works, it works well, and I hope that in the near future we will do the same with the Republic of Albania and with the other countries of the Western Balkans. Because it is clear, every simplification of procedures means better cooperation and greater benefits for all our citizens”.
“I consider that one of the fundamental freedoms of the EU, which is the mobility of human capital, is becoming a reality in the Open Balkans. The three countries from September will be able to see the convergence of the electronic identification system and after that very soon and in the context of accepting work permits, this will enable us to become more competitive and more interesting for the next topic that will be to open up and move into the investment cycle, which should happen in the Open Balkans with our common approach”, concluded Bytyqi./j.p/r.e/p.s./
