Open Balkan initiative delivers tangible benefits to Macedonia, Serbia and Albania

The Open Balkan regional cooperation framework, linking Macedonia, Serbia and Albania, has produced measurable gains for the 11 million citizens of the three countries. It secured a disaster‑relief cooperation treaty, enabling rapid joint response to fires and other emergencies across borders. During the energy crisis the partners agreed on mutual assistance for food, electricity and energy supplies, strengthening regional stability. The programme also introduced “green lanes” at the Tabanci‑Kafasan border crossings, cutting customs delays and lowering transport costs for businesses. Most notably, it created an electronic labour‑market access system allowing workers to seek employment in any of the three states without traditional work‑permit procedures. Prime Minister Christian Mikovski defended the project against claims it was a “Serbian world”, noting that “Ониe што денес зборуваат за српски свет, вчера беа најгласни поддржувачи на истите политики и иницијативи”. Public support for Open Balkan has been reported at around 80 % in each country, underscoring its role as a practical platform for economic integration and crisis management.