Kosovo was never informed or invited to join talks on the ‘Open Balkan’ initiative, Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla said at the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs. The initiative, initially branded “Mini-Schengen”, aims to facilitate the movement of peoples and goods between Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania, reports Exit’s partner EURACTIV.hr.
“The Republic of Kosovo has never received a description of what the ‘Open Balkan’ initiative is. The Republic of Kosovo has never received an official invitation to participate in such meetings, all we heard are public statements,” Gervalla said.
“Kosovo needs no alternative to replace European Union membership, and we need such alternatives which are more words rather than serious offers,” she said in parliament, Gazeta Express reports. Serbia is ready to use this initiative as a tool against Kosovo to obstruct its regional integration, she added.
BiH and Montenegro, as well as Kosovo, do not want to participate due to fears it could hinder their EU path.
US special envoy for the Balkans Gabriel Escobar, for his part, said at the end of November that the Open Balkan initiative could not succeed if it did not include “all six countries” of the Western Balkans.
