SKOPJE, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of the Western Balkan countries agreed with a joint declaration in Ohrid, North Macedonia on Sunday which provides free movement of people, goods, services and capital to improve the lives of the citizens in the region that seeks full European Union membership.
The declaration, which had been defined at a trilateral meeting held on Saturday between the Prime Minister of North Macedonia Zoran Zaev, his Albanian counterpart Edi Rama and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, includes a list of measures and priorities and is based on deeper cooperation and joint engagement in eliminating the hurdles for free movement of people, goods, services and capital between the countries in this region.
Among other measures, it foresees crossing the border only with personal IDs, an open market and access to business initiatives throughout the region, job creation and tapping the potentials further for overall development.
"All this will provide much better living conditions for our citizens. It will also open a new chapter. I hope that all participants in this process will accept the initiative because it provides wellbeing for whole Balkan," Zaev said at a conference after the meeting.
Serbian President Vucic said he is proud of the agreement reached.
"This is a process that will create better and quality life throughout Western Balkans. This will be our future," Vucic said.
Besides the leaders of Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia, the working session of the regional meeting was also attended by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denis Zvizdic, and Montenegro's Economy Minister Dragica Sekulic.
The meeting was also attended by officials of international organizations and institutions such as European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Regional Cooperation Council, European Commission, World Bank and the European Investment Bank.
The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 21 in Durres, Albania.
