PM Marković takes part in session of Vienna Economic Forum in Sofia: Western Balkans will enrich, not jeopardize EU

VIDEO: VIENNA ECONOMIC FORUM - PM Marković takes part in Strategic dialogue on Western Balkans - sprays

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Prime Minister Duško Marković said today in Sofia that the countries of the Western Balkans are intensively cooperating, that leaders meet regularly, that the traditional perception of investors and investments is changing, and therefore the whole region cannot be a threat to the European Union, but it will only enrich the EU with its membership.

"The politics and history have been always more present in the Balkans than development of economy and persepctive on the future, especially the creation of new jobs. Today, the Western Balkans lags behind a developed Europe. Montenegro is currently somewhere at 45 percent, other countries in our neighbourhood are at the same percentage, which should concern us all," the Prime Minister said, adding that over the past year and a half a lot of efforts have been made to change the traditional approach, build confidence and turn to the European system of values.

Speaking at a panel discussion organized by the Vienna Economic Forum on the topic "Regional Cooperation as a part of the European Integration. The Sub-Region Western Balkans: Reality and Expectation - Who takes the Responsibility?", PM Marković said that the European perspective of the Western Balkan region is something that should not be questionable. In this context, the Prime Minister welcomed the achievements of some countries in the region in their European integration process.

"Albania and Macedonia should start negotiations in June," Prime Minister Marković said, adding that this is not only in the interest of these two countries, but also of the region as a whole.

Prime Minister Marković highlighted in particular the fact that the region of the Western Balkans has finally become aware of its potentials, but added that it is necessary to change the awareness especially of the administration.

"Today, the biggest effort is to teach our administrations not to open problems where they don't exist," the Prime Minister said.

Speaking of Montenegro, the Prime Minister recalled our excellent economic results over the past year and a half and invited investors to invest in Montenegro: "The government is open to meet with investors. They cannot wait for the meeting," PM Marković said.

Addressing a panel session attended by Prime Minister of Serbia Ana Brnabić, Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj, Prime Minister of Macedonia Zoran Zaev and Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, as well as the host, Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borissov, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, Prime Minister Marković concluded that the Western Balkans can only enrich the EU.

"As a region we cherish the values of culture, we can only enrich the EU, we will not endanger it," the Prime Minister concluded.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_hkb3M9c_s&feature=youtu.be