Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has assessed today that the initiative on the “Little Schengen” sends a good message and that its establishing will open room for wider cooperation, contacts among citizens and economic connectivity of the region.
Asked to comment on the signing of the declaration of intention to establish the “Little Schengen”, she has told Tanjug that the fact that the initiative originated from Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, and that it was supported by North Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, shows that concrete interests of citizens and economic progress are the topics that oblige responsible governments to actively cooperate.
“We do not deal only with global topics and global policy, although it is not an uncommon topic for us in the region. We deal with issues that are far more important for our citizens – easier border crossing, simplified border procedures for people, services, goods and capital, as the four key EU freedoms. Thus we show that we do not sit around and wait for decisions, action or non-action of the European Union, but that, along with reforms, we open room for wider cooperation, contacts among citizens – “citizen diplomacy”, and economic connectivity of our region”, explained Joksimović.
She has also emphasised that they sometimes waited for too long for everyone to agree, even when there were no real obstacles, and that it is why this initiative sends a good message.
“In that sense, I believe that President Aleksandar Vučić’s open invitation to all members of the so-called Western Balkan Six to accept the document on the “Little Schengen” is important, so that the initiative would take off and encourage the European integration process. I am certain that we will always have the EU’s expert and financial support to expeditiously achieve the goals that we will define based on the best European standards”, said Joksimović.
Source: Tanjug
