KOŠARAC: UNLIKE THE BERLIN PROCESS, OPEN BALKANS IS THE ONLY INITIATIVE WITH VISIBLE RESULTS

SARAJEVO, OCTOBER 14 /SRNA/ - The Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations in the Council of Ministers Staša Košarac told SRNA that the Berlin Process, a decade after its establishment, failed to produce either the expected or desired results, and indicated that, although certain advances have been made, this platform did not give rise to the expansion of the "European family," since in the past 10 years no country of the region has joined the EU.

Košarac emphasized that, unlike the Berlin Process, the Open Balkans is the only regional initiative whose results are indisputable, concrete and visible, especially from the economic aspect. "Estimates say that since the formation of the Open Balkans, the total exchange between the member countries - Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania has increased by 25 percent. Trade between Serbia and North Macedonia has increased by as much as 50 percent, and between North Macedonia and Albania by 40 percent," said Košarac, who is also the deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers. Also, he emphasized for SRNA, the data show that in certain cases the time for export-import of food products has been reduced by up to 50 percent, and that the direct costs of taxes and fees have been reduced by up to 80 percent. According to him, the agreements within the framework of the Open Balkans have provided great benefits for the member states of this initiative, making strides in regional cooperation. He stated that green belts were introduced, a large number of non-customs barriers were removed, phytosanitary controls were harmonized, and one of the biggest results was the freedom of labour movement. "When you ask businessmen about the Open Balkans, it is quite clear to them what benefits this initiative brings, in contrast to the Berlin Process, which, even after a decade of existence, has not responded to the key challenges. That is why it is important to focus on initiatives that immediately give visible results. Unfortunately, a part of the political structure from the FBiH continues to contaminate the issue of BiH's membership in the Open Balkans for purely political reasons and hold businessmen from both Srpska and the FBiH hostage," Košarac pointed out. He said that Srpska remains committed to the European path, but we will never agree to give up its constitutional capacity and jurisdiction in that process. "Respecting the importance of the EU market, our position is that it is necessary to follow world trends and consider the possibilities of opening new markets for our businessmen. In this regard, we believe that BRICS membership would be politically wise and beneficial to the economy, considering the importance of this initiative in global financial and trade relations," Košarac pointed out. He stated that apart from Russia, Brazil, India, China and South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE and Saudi Arabia have joined BRICS since the beginning of this year, and a new wave of expansion of this initiative is expected at the next summit in Kazan at the end of October. "We are proud of the fact that the President of Srpska Milorad Dodik will also attend this event. Srpska has already made a step forward, signing a protocol on cooperation with the Russian Republic of Tatarstan, showing commitment to cooperation, greater foreign trade exchange and the opening of new markets," concluded Košarac.