“The leaders of the three countries that have explored the Open Balkans initiative have assured us that it is open to all six countries of the Western Balkans, and we believe them. In fact, it cannot succeed without the other three,” Deputy Assistant Secretary Escobar said.

“This Open Balkans initiative also mirrors something under the Berlin Process called the common regional market, so we think that they are complementary, we think that anything that brings the countries closer together will create confidence among the people while it will create opportunities for political movement on some of the issues,” Escobar said.

So yes, we support all efforts to bring countries closer together economically. And by the way, should this happen? Should we get a regional market, a free market among six countries of twenty million people and 125-billion-dollar economy with growth rates upwards to six or seven percent? It will be a very, very attractive market for American companies. So, we want to encourage all of that, and we want to encourage American investment in the region as well,” Deputy Assistant Secretary Escobar said. //a.i/

Ambassador Faber conveyed occasional congratulations on his new position while emphasizing the excellent relations and expressing her readiness to continue the cooperation.

“We agreed to continue the close cooperation in the further advancement of our bilateral agenda: support for realization of Albania’s EU accession agenda and promotion of cooperation in the economic plan,” Faber said. //a.i/