TIRANA, July  26  /ATA/ Minister of State for Reconstruction Arben Ahmetaj said that energy, food security and civil protection are the first three main areas where cooperation between Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia is focused, in the framework of the “Open Balkan” initiative.

Taking the floor at the wrap-up meeting of the two-day conference on the Open Balkan, “Main challenges and facilitating solutions for the region,” held in Tirana, Ahmetaj outlined the conclusions of the technical staff and the main lines of  cooperation plan.

“Therefore in a two-year period that has pitted the region and the world against much bigger challenges than any country can handle, the first requirement is to work together as part of the UN initiative, in the run-up to integration of our countries in EU,” said Ahmetaj, adding that the working groups will be established within the week and by September 1 they will have the in-depth cooperation plan ready.

Ahmetaj said that, in the energy sector, we plan to make joint investments for the increase of energy production capacities from renewable sources, to keep the transmission lines open to cope with the energy crunch situation, to enter into long-term agreements for the sale and purchase of energy at a reasonable  price by optimizing energy sources.

According to him, Albania and Serbia have agreed to cooperate on exploitation of coal deposits in order to supply raw materials to the thermal power plants of Serbia. North Macedonia has expressed interest in investing in the Vlora LG terminal. While in the agricultural sector, we have agreed to reduce the supply barriers to food safety as well as the free market between the three countries. Countries have agreed to come up with a mechanism in cases of exacerbating  situation for access to  supply markets.

Ahmetaj said that, as far as civil emergencies are concerned, the parties agreed on the creation of joint capacities, the exchange of practices between countries, joint response plans and the creation of a group of experts with representatives of the three countries.

/j.p/sm/