# Open Balkan > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Open_Balkan > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Open_Balkan.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Balkan > Source revision: 1356299149 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Economic zone formed by a regional organization in Southeastern Europe}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox geopolitical organization | conventional_long_name = Open Balkan | native_name = {{native name list|tag1=sq|name1=Ballkani i Hapur|tag2=mk|name2=Отворен Балкан|tag3=sr|name3=Отворени Балкан}} | image_symbol = Open Balkan Logo.png | symbol_type = Logo | symbol_width = 160px | image_map = Open Balkan map.svg | map_caption = {{smaller|{{legend inline|Green|Member states}}
{{legend inline|#c7dfbf|Potential member states}}}} | membership = {{unbulleted list|{{ALB}}|{{NMK}}|{{SRB}}}} | admin_center_type = Administrative centers | admin_center = {{unbulleted list|[Belgrade](/source/Belgrade)|[Skopje](/source/Skopje)|[Tirana](/source/Tirana)}} | languages_type = [Official language](/source/Official_language)s | languages = {{unbulleted list|[Albanian](/source/Albanian_language)|[Macedonian](/source/Macedonian_language)|[Serbian](/source/Serbian_language)}} | established = 29 July 2021 | area_km2 = 131.935 | population_estimate = 10,967,500 | population_estimate_year = 2026 | GDP_nominal_year = 2026 | GDP_nominal = $166.970 billion | GDP_PPP_per_capita = $32,010 | GDP_PPP = $351.070 billion | HDI = | HDI_year = | currency = {{unbulleted list|{{flagicon|MKD}} [Denar](/source/Macedonian_denar)|{{flagicon|SRB}} [Dinar](/source/Serbian_dinar)|{{flagicon|ALB}} [Lek](/source/Albanian_lek)}} | time_zone = [UTC+01:00](/source/UTC%2B01%3A00) }} The '''Open Balkan''' is an economic and political zone of three [sovereign state](/source/sovereign_state)s in the [Balkans](/source/Balkans), those being [Albania](/source/Albania), [North Macedonia](/source/North_Macedonia), and [Serbia](/source/Serbia). The zone has a total area of {{convert|131,935|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} and an estimated total population of almost 11{{nbsp}}million located in [Southeastern Europe](/source/Southeastern_Europe). The official languages are [Albanian](/source/Albanian_language), [Macedonian](/source/Macedonian_language), and [Serbian](/source/Serbian_language). Its administrative centres are the cities of [Belgrade](/source/Belgrade), [Skopje](/source/Skopje), and [Tirana](/source/Tirana). With the establishment of the zone, all three member states aim to increase [trade](/source/trade) and [cooperation](/source/cooperation), as well as improve bilateral relations. == History == {{Main|History of the Balkans}} {{Further|Albania–North Macedonia relations|Albania–Serbia relations|North Macedonia–Serbia relations}} {{Supranational European Bodies|align=right|size=400px}} The idea of the Open Balkan (formerly known as "Mini-Schengen Area") came in the early 1990s.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-30 |title=Montenegro's new criticism of the Open Balkan initiative divides rather than unites - European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity |url=https://europeanforum.net/montenegros-new-criticism-of-the-open-balkan-initiative-divides-rather-than-unites/ |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=europeanforum.net |language=nl}} It was first mentioned as an economic area between these countries of the [Balkan Peninsula](/source/Balkans). The plans were eventually abandoned due to the [Yugoslav Wars](/source/Yugoslav_Wars) (1991–2001).{{Cite web |last=Dubessy |first=Frédéric |title=Albania, Northern Macedonia and Serbia unite in "Open Balkans", antechamber to the Schengen Area |url=https://en.econostrum.info/Albania-Northern-Macedonia-and-Serbia-unite-in-Open-Balkans--antechamber-to-the-Schengen-Area_a1062.html |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=Econostrum {{!}} Economic News in the Mediterranean |language=en-US}} The first signs of the Open Balkan emerged in 2018 as a way to improve political relations.{{Cite web |last=Albania |first=Euronews |date=2021-09-14 |title=Open Balkan – how it came to fruition and where it's heading |url=https://euronews.al/en/open-balkan-how-it-came-to-fruition-and-where-its-heading/ |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=Euronews Albania |language=en-US}} The idea of the area was brought by the current [Prime Minister of Albania](/source/Prime_Minister_of_Albania), [Edi Rama](/source/Edi_Rama), in [Berlin](/source/Berlin) when he discussed it with the interested nations. Rama took the idea of the former Prime Minister of Albania, [Fatos Nano](/source/Fatos_Nano).{{Citation|title=Rama i përgjigjet Vuçiçit|url=https://www.facebook.com/euronews.al/videos/rama-i-p%C3%ABrgjigjet-vu%C3%A7i%C3%A7it/447138156545775/|language=en|access-date=2021-08-14}} The former name referred to the [Schengen Area](/source/Schengen_Area), a common travel area that includes 29 European countries, but not the aforementioned Balkan countries. The plans for the area were declared on 10 October 2019 in [Novi Sad](/source/Novi_Sad).{{Cite web|last=Simić|first=Julija|date=11 October 2019|title=Three countries agree mini Schengen in the Balkans|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/three-countries-agree-mini-schengen-in-the-balkans/|access-date=2021-08-11|website=Euractiv|language=en-GB}} Two meetings were held, one in [Ohrid](/source/Ohrid) on 11 November 2019, and the other on 12 December 2019 in [Durrës](/source/Durr%C3%ABs). These countries declared to form a unified market of 12 million people by the end of 2020. On 11 November 2019, at the 2019 [Ohrid](/source/Ohrid) summit, the [President of Serbia](/source/President_of_Serbia), [Aleksandar Vučić](/source/Aleksandar_Vu%C4%8Di%C4%87), the [Prime Minister of Albania](/source/Prime_Minister_of_Albania), [Edi Rama](/source/Edi_Rama), and the [Prime Minister of North Macedonia](/source/Prime_Minister_of_North_Macedonia), [Zoran Zaev](/source/Zoran_Zaev), agreed to create an economic zone in the [Western Balkans](/source/Western_Balkans), which would further improve political and economic relations and strengthen cultural ties between the nations. [[File:Aleksandar Vučić, Zoran Zaev & Edi Rama Open Balkan 29 07 2021.jpg|thumb|left|From left to right: the [President of Serbia](/source/President_of_Serbia), [Aleksandar Vučić](/source/Aleksandar_Vu%C4%8Di%C4%87), the [Prime Minister of North Macedonia](/source/Prime_Minister_of_North_Macedonia), [Zoran Zaev](/source/Zoran_Zaev), and the [Prime Minister of Albania](/source/Prime_Minister_of_Albania), [Edi Rama](/source/Edi_Rama), attending the Economic Forum for Regional Cooperation (2021)]] The first meeting was due to be held in January or February 2020 in [Serbia](/source/Serbia). However, due to the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic_in_Europe), the meeting was postponed and a potential date for new meeting was tentatively scheduled for spring or summer 2020. An Open Balkan summit was held on 2 September 2022 in [Belgrade](/source/Belgrade). Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia signed several agreements on the exchange of food products, energy, cinematography, as well as cooperation in emergency situations. The three countries also agreed to further cooperation and easing tensions in the [Western Balkans](/source/Western_Balkans). In addition, the [Prime Minister of Montenegro](/source/Prime_Minister_of_Montenegro), [Dritan Abazović](/source/Dritan_Abazovi%C4%87), and the [Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina](/source/Chairman_of_the_Council_of_Ministers_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina), [Zoran Tegeltija](/source/Zoran_Tegeltija), also attended the summit, expressing their wishes for these countries to join the initiative. == Purpose == {{Main|European integration|Potential enlargement of the European Union}} {{Further|Accession of Albania to the European Union|Accession of North Macedonia to the European Union|Accession of Serbia to the European Union}} The Open Balkan's common goals are to provide greater opportunities for trade, student exchanges, and encourage [European integration](/source/European_integration) among its member states, ''[inter alia](/source/List_of_Latin_phrases_(I))''. Citizens of member states will need only an ID card to visit other member states, saving time at border crossings.{{Cite web|title=Mini-Schengen: what does this accord mean for the EU?|url=https://www.etiasvisa.com/etias-news/mini-schengen-balkans|access-date=2021-06-03|website=www.etiasvisa.com|language=en-US}} This economic zone prepares the countries to become members of the European Union.{{Cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/11/11/western-balkan-leaders-plot-their-own-mini-schengen-zone|title=Western Balkan leaders plot their own 'mini-Schengen' zone|last=Holroyd|first=Matthew|date=2019-11-11|website=euronews|language=en|access-date=2020-04-25}} In this union, goods and capital between these countries would flow quicker and more than 30 million hours would be saved crossing the borders of these three countries every year. The estimate of the [World Bank](/source/World_Bank) projects savings of [$](/source/United_States_dollar)3.2 billion. On 29 July 2021, Serbian President [Aleksandar Vučić](/source/Aleksandar_Vu%C4%8Di%C4%87), Albanian Prime Minister [Edi Rama](/source/Edi_Rama), and North Macedonian Prime Minister [Zoran Zaev](/source/Zoran_Zaev) participated in the forum for regional economic cooperation in [Skopje](/source/Skopje), where they signed agreements on the movement of goods, access to the labor market, and cooperation in protection against disasters.{{Cite web|title=Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania Push Forward On 'Open Balkans' Initiative|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/serbia-macedonia-open-balkans/31384360.html|access-date=2021-08-11|website=www.rferl.org |date=29 July 2021 }} It has been agreed mutual acceptance of diplomas and job qualifications, all making work forces more flexible and available and so attracting more investment. As part of the initiative, a regional economic forum attended by some 350 companies, mostly coming from these three countries but also from the wider region, was also held.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-29|title=Balkan 'Mini-Schengen' Leaders Eye Open Borders by 2023|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2021/07/29/balkan-mini-schengen-leaders-eye-open-borders-by-2023/|access-date=2021-08-11|website=Balkan Insight|language=en-US}} == Current member states == The Open Balkan currently comprises three member states: [Albania](/source/Albania), [North Macedonia](/source/North_Macedonia), and [Serbia](/source/Serbia). {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;" |- ! scope="col" | State ! scope="col" | [Capital](/source/Capital_city) ! scope="col" | Accession ! scope="col" | Population (2026)Citations regarding the populations of the Open Balkan member states: *For Albania:{{cite web |publisher=[Institute of Statistics](/source/Institute_of_Statistics_(Albania)) (INSTAT) |title=Population in Albania, 1 January 2025 |url=http://www.instat.gov.al/en/themes/demography-and-social-indicators/population/publication/2020/population-in-albania-1-january-2020/ |access-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522113200/http://www.instat.gov.al/en/themes/demography-and-social-indicators/population/publication/2020/population-in-albania-1-january-2020/ |archive-date=22 May 2021 |url-status=live}} *For North Macedonia:{{cite web |publisher=State Statistical Office (MAKSTAT) |title=Population: Key Indicators |url=https://www.stat.gov.mk/OblastOpsto_en.aspx?id=2 |access-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806145541/https://www.stat.gov.mk/OblastOpsto_en.aspx?id=2 |archive-date=6 August 2021 |url-status=live}} *For Serbia excluding Kosovo:{{cite web |publisher=[Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia](/source/Statistical_Office_of_the_Republic_of_Serbia) (RBS) |title=Estimates of population, 2020 |url=https://publikacije.stat.gov.rs/G2021/PdfE/G20211181.pdf |access-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182156/https://publikacije.stat.gov.rs/G2021/PdfE/G20211181.pdf |archive-date=9 July 2021 |date=1 July 2021 |url-status=live}} ! scope="col" | Area ![GDP](/source/Gross_domestic_product) (nominal) ![GDP](/source/Gross_domestic_product) Per capita ! scope="col" | Urban areas |- ! scope="row" | '''{{Flag|Albania}}''' | [Tirana](/source/Tirana) | Founder | style="text-align: right;" | 2,668,500 | style="text-align: right;" | {{Cvt|28748|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}} |$33.330 billion |$12.490 | style="text-align: center;" | [Durrës](/source/Durr%C3%ABs), [Elbasan](/source/Elbasan), [Vlorë](/source/Vlor%C3%AB), [Shkodër](/source/Shkod%C3%ABr) |- ! scope="row" | '''{{Flag|North Macedonia}}''' | [Skopje](/source/Skopje) | Founder | style="text-align: right;" | 1,805,713 | style="text-align: right;" | {{Cvt|25713|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}} |$21.610 billion |$11,970 | style="text-align: center;" | [Bitola](/source/Bitola), [Kumanovo](/source/Kumanovo), [Prilep](/source/Prilep), [Tetovo](/source/Tetovo) |- ! scope="row" | '''{{Flag|Serbia}}''' | [Belgrade](/source/Belgrade) | Founder | style="text-align: right;" | 6,493,168 | style="text-align: right;" | {{Cvt|77474|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}} |$112.030 billion |$17,250 | style="text-align: center;" | [Novi Sad](/source/Novi_Sad), [Niš](/source/Ni%C5%A1), [Subotica](/source/Subotica), [Kragujevac](/source/Kragujevac) |- |} == Potential member states == thumb|Official reactions to the Open Balkan initiative:{{Cite news |last=Evropa |first=Radio Slobodna |date=2022-06-03 |title=Kurti odbio poziv za 'Otvoreni Balkan' |language=sh |work=Radio Slobodna Evropa |url=https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/kurti-odbio-poziv-otvoreni-balkan/31881462.html |access-date=2023-04-03}}{{Cite web |title=Crna Gora: Nova bura zbog Otvorenog Balkana – DW – 26. 11. 2022. |url=https://www.dw.com/sr/crna-gora-nova-bura-zbog-otvorenog-balkana/a-63900164 |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=dw.com |language=sr}}{{Cite web |title="Otvoreni Balkan" i BiH: Skok s motkom – DW – 10.06.2022 |url=https://www.dw.com/bs/otvoreni-balkan-i-bih-skok-s-motkom/a-62088444 |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=dw.com |language=bs}}
{{Legend0|Green|Founders (Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia)}}
{{Legend0|Red|Negative (Kosovo)}}
{{Legend0|Blue|Mixed (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro)}} Three potential members are [Bosnia and Herzegovina](/source/Bosnia_and_Herzegovina), [Kosovo](/source/Kosovo), and [Montenegro](/source/Montenegro). === Bosnia and Herzegovina === Former [Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina](/source/Chairman_of_the_Council_of_Ministers_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina), [Zoran Tegeltija](/source/Zoran_Tegeltija), expressed his personal support for the Open Balkan initiative,{{Cite web |last=EWB |date=2022-06-08 |title=Open Balkan summit: Agreement on cooperation in the area of recognition of diplomas signed |url=https://europeanwesternbalkans.com/2022/06/08/open-balkan-summit-agreement-on-cooperation-in-the-area-of-recognition-of-diplomas-signed/ |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=European Western Balkans |language=en-US}} but [Bosnia and Herzegovina](/source/Bosnia_and_Herzegovina) still lacks a consensus about it for "political reasons".{{Cite web |date=2022-06-08 |title=Montenegro Mulls Joining 'Open Balkan' Initiative, Kosovo Remains Opposed |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2022/06/08/montenegro-mulls-joining-open-balkan-initiative-kosovo-remains-opposed/ |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=Balkan Insight |language=en-US}} === Kosovo === On 4 September 2020, [Kosovo](/source/Kosovo) agreed to join the Mini-Schengen Area as part of the [Kosovo and Serbia economic normalization agreements](/source/Kosovo_and_Serbia_economic_normalization_agreements),{{cite news |title=Šta piše u sporazumu Kosova i Srbije? |url=https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/30821548.html |website=Radio Slobodna Evropa |date=4 September 2020 |language=sh}} but so far has not signed any agreement with the Open Balkan founding countries, even opposing the whole project.{{cite web| title=Gërvalla in Slovenia: EU must stop 'mini-Schengen'| url=http://en.rtv21.tv/gervalla-ne-slloveni-be-ja-duhet-ta-ndale-mini-shengenin-i-rrezikshem-per-paqen-ne-ballkan| website=21 media| date=23 July 2021| language=en| access-date=29 July 2021| archive-date=29 July 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729163926/http://en.rtv21.tv/gervalla-ne-slloveni-be-ja-duhet-ta-ndale-mini-shengenin-i-rrezikshem-per-paqen-ne-ballkan/| url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=PM Rama Criticises Kosovo Premier for Not Participating in Balkans Mini-Schengen |url=https://albaniandailynews.com/news/pm-rama-criticizes-kosovo-premier-for-not-participating-in-balkans-mini-schengen|website=albanian daily news |language=en}}{{cite web| title=Kosovo government does not support Open Balkans initiative |url= https://www.slobodnaevropa.mk/a/31384093.html|website= Radio Slobodna Evropa|date= 29 July 2021|language=mk}}{{cite web| title=Kosovo considers the "Open Balkan" initiative as very dangerous |url=https://alsat.mk/mk/kosovo-ja-smeta-za-mnogu-opasna-initsijativata-otvoren-balkan/|website= Alsat|date=30 July 2021|language=mk}} [Prime Minister of Kosovo](/source/Prime_Minister_of_Kosovo), [Albin Kurti](/source/Albin_Kurti), rejected the invitation for the summit in [Ohrid](/source/Ohrid) which was held on 7–8 June. Kurti declared that "the Open Balkan initiative is a harmful regional initiative with no vision. Kosovo does not want to join in because Serbia is not treating it as an equal side and independent country".{{cite web| title=Kurti refuses invitation to Open Balkan summit| url=https://rs.n1info.com/english/news/kurti-refuses-invitation-to-open-balkan-summit/|website=N1 English| date=3 June 2022|language=en}} === Montenegro === Former [Prime Minister of Montenegro](/source/Prime_Minister_of_Montenegro), [Dritan Abazović](/source/Dritan_Abazovi%C4%87), expressed his personal support for the Open Balkan initiative,{{Cite web |date=2022-05-11 |title=Montenegro's New PM Supports 'Open Balkan' Initiative |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2022/05/11/montenegros-new-pm-supports-open-balkan-initiative/ |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=Balkan Insight |language=en-US}} saying that "The Open Balkan initiative was made for six countries."{{Cite web |last=Halla |first=Barbara |date=2022-05-27 |title=Montenegro may be set to join Open Balkan initiative |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/montenegro-may-be-set-to-join-open-balkan-initiative/ |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=www.euractiv.com |language=en-GB}} Also following the [latest voting in Montenegro (2023)](/source/2023_Montenegrin_presidential_election), the collective voice of the people has expressed a desire to become part of the Open Balkan initiative. The current [President of Montenegro](/source/President_of_Montenegro), [Jakov Milatović](/source/Jakov_Milatovi%C4%87), during an interview published on the Viennese newspaper ''[Der Standard](/source/Der_Standard)'' about Montenegro's role in the current geopolitical landscape, declared that "our part of Europe was the only one without borders 50 years ago, but now it has borders. He also added that joining the Open Balkan is a measure to facilitate relations with Serbia, and that 60 percent of Montenegrins want Montenegro to participate in the initiative."{{Cite web |url=https://www.cdm.me/politika/milatovic-60-odsto-crnogoraca-zeli-da-se-crna-gora-ukljuci-u-otvoreni-balkan/ |title=Milatović: 60 odsto Crnogoraca želi da se Crna Gora uključi u Otvoreni Balkan |trans-title=Milatović: 60 percent of Montenegrins want Montenegro to join the Open Balkans |date=11 June 2023 |website=CDM |access-date=15 November 2023 |language=cnr}} == Economy == {{Multiple image |align = center |direction = horizontal |total_width = 800 |image1 = Belgrade_Waterfront_(Београд_на_води).jpg |caption1 = {{flagicon|SRB}} '''[Belgrade](/source/Belgrade)''' |image2 = Stone Bridge so Arheološkiot.jpg |caption2 = {{flagicon|MKD}} '''[Skopje](/source/Skopje)''' |image3 =Skanderbeg square tirana 2016.jpg |caption3 = {{flagicon|ALB}} '''[Tirana](/source/Tirana)''' }} {{cn span|date=March 2024|Based on 2026 estimates, the combined nominal GDP of these countries is $166.970 billion, while the GDP (PPP) is $351.070 billion. The nominal GDP per capita is $15,224 and the GDP (PPP) per capita is $32,010. Albania and North Macedonia would have a higher GDP per capita and GDP PPP per capita within the union compared to their individual averages, while Serbia's individual per capita averages would be slightly higher than the group's combined average.}}{{Update inline|date=March 2024}} The current currencies are the [Albanian lek](/source/Albanian_lek), the [Macedonian denar](/source/Macedonian_denar), and the [Serbian dinar](/source/Serbian_dinar). === Statistics === {| class="wikitable" |- ! ! [Albania](/source/Albania) ! [North Macedonia](/source/North_Macedonia) ! [Serbia](/source/Serbia) |- ![Form of government](/source/Forms_of_government) |align="center" colspan="3"|[Parliamentary republic](/source/Parliamentary_republic) |- !rowspan="2"|Current heads of [state](/source/Head_of_state)
and [government](/source/Head_of_government) |[President](/source/President_of_Albania) [Bajram Begaj](/source/Bajram_Begaj) |[President](/source/President_of_North_Macedonia) [Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova](/source/Gordana_Siljanovska-Davkova) |[President](/source/President_of_Serbia) [Aleksandar Vučić](/source/Aleksandar_Vu%C4%8Di%C4%87) |- |[Prime Minister](/source/Prime_Minister_of_Albania) [Edi Rama](/source/Edi_Rama) |[Prime Minister](/source/Prime_Minister_of_North_Macedonia) [Hristijan Mickoski](/source/Hristijan_Mickoski) |[Prime Minister](/source/Prime_Minister_of_Serbia) [Đuro Macut](/source/%C4%90uro_Macut) |- !Official [language](/source/language)s |[Albanian](/source/Albanian_language) |[Macedonian](/source/Macedonian_language) and [Albanian](/source/Albanian_language)Albanian is a co-official language at a state level (excluding defence, central police and monetary policy) and in local self-government units where speakers are 20% or more. |[Serbian](/source/Serbian_language) |- ![GDP (nominal)](/source/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)) |$33.330 billion |$21.610 billion |$112.030 billion |- ![GDP (nominal) per capita](/source/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)_per_capita) |$12,499 |$11,967 |$17,253 |- ![GDP (PPP)](/source/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)) |$67.300 billion |$57.320 billion |$226.380 billion |- ![GDP (PPP) per capita](/source/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita) |$25,224 |$31,747 |$34,862 |- ![Real GDP growth rate](/source/List_of_countries_by_real_GDP_growth_rate) (2024–26) | 4%, 3.79%, 3.4% | 3%, 3.5%, 3.1% | 3.9%, 2%, 2,8%, |- ![Currency](/source/Currency) |[Lek](/source/Albanian_lek) |[Denar](/source/Macedonian_denar) |[Dinar](/source/Serbian_dinar) |- ![Average salary](/source/National_average_salary) | €843 | €745 | €992 |} == Further cooperation == {{Main|Federalisation of the European Union|Multi-speed Europe}} {{Further|European Union Customs Union|Free trade agreements of the European Union|Stabilisation and Association Process}} On 2 August 2021, the directors of the post offices of Serbia and North Macedonia, [Zoran Đorđević](/source/Zoran_%C4%90or%C4%91evi%C4%87_(politician)) and Jani Makraduli, signed in Belgrade a Protocol for business cooperation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.posta.rs/eng/info/vest-detaljnije.aspx?ID=8872|title = Post of Serbia - Serbian and Northern Macedonian posts sign Protocol on business cooperation}} On 3 August 2021, by an order of the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, four helicopters of the [Ministry of Internal Affairs of Serbia](/source/Ministry_of_Internal_Affairs_(Serbia)) have been sent to help colleagues from [Ministry of Internal Affairs of North Macedonia](/source/Ministry_of_Internal_Affairs_(North_Macedonia)) for firefighting in North Macedonia.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-03|title=Serbia sends police choppers to help North Macedonia's firefighters|url=https://rs.n1info.com/english/news/serbia-sends-police-choppers-to-help-north-macedonias-firefighters/|access-date=2021-08-11|website=N1|language=sr-RS}}{{Cite web|title=Serbian helicopter units are putting out fires in North Macedonia, photos from scene|url=https://www.telegraf.rs/english/3372775-serbian-helicopter-units-are-putting-out-fires-in-north-macedonia-photos-from-scene|access-date=2021-08-11|website=Telegraf.rs|date=4 August 2021 |language=sr}} On 12 May 2022, Serbian Minister of Trade, Tourism, and Telecommunications, [Tatjana Matić](/source/Tatjana_Mati%C4%87), talked in Tirana with Albanian Minister of Tourism and Environment, [Mirela Kumbaro](/source/Mirela_Kumbaro), about cooperation within the "Open Balkans" initiative, with an emphasis on removing barriers and reaching an agreement in the field of tourism.{{cite web | url=https://www.rcc.int/news/759/bregu-removing-barriers-is-the-first-step-in-positioning-western-balkans-at-the-world-tourism-map | title=Regional Cooperation Council | Bregu: Removing barriers is the first step in positioning Western Balkans at the world tourism map }} == See also == {{Portal|Europe|Politics|Serbia}} {{div col}} * {{anl|Accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union}} * [Accession of Kosovo to the European Union](/source/Accession_of_Kosovo_to_the_European_Union) * {{anl|Accession of Montenegro to the European Union}} * {{anl|Albania–Kosovo relations}} ** {{anl|Kosovo Albanians}} ** {{anl|Unification of Albania and Kosovo}} * {{anl|Albania–North Macedonia relations}} ** {{anl|Albanians in North Macedonia}} ** {{anl|Ilirida}} * {{anl|Albania–Serbia relations}} ** [Agreement on the path to normalization between Kosovo and Serbia](/source/Ohrid_Agreement_(2023)) (2023) ** {{anl|Albania–Yugoslavia relations}} ** [Balkania](/source/Balkania_(proposed_state)) (proposed state) * {{anl|Balkan Federation}} * [Balkan Wars](/source/Balkan_Wars) (1912–1913) * {{anl|Balkanization}} * {{anl|Berlin Process}} * [Foreign relations of Albania](/source/Foreign_relations_of_Albania) * [Foreign relations of Serbia](/source/Foreign_relations_of_Serbia) * {{anl|Kosovo–Serbia relations}} ** {{anl|Kosovo Serbs}} ** {{anl|Partition of Kosovo}} ** {{anl|Serb enclaves in Kosovo}} * {{anl|Regional Roaming Agreement}} * {{anl|Yugoslav Wars}} ** {{anl|Dayton Agreement}} ** {{anl|International sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia}} ** {{anl|Kosovo War}} ** {{anl|NATO bombing of Yugoslavia}} {{div col end}} == References == {{Reflist}} {{Europe topics (small)}} {{Foreign relations of Albania}} {{Foreign relations of North Macedonia}} {{Foreign relations of Serbia}} {{Regional organizations}} Category:Albania–Bosnia and Herzegovina relations Category:Albania–Kosovo relations Category:Albania–Montenegro relations Category:Albania–North Macedonia relations Category:Albania–Serbia relations Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina–Kosovo relations Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina–Montenegro relations Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina–North Macedonia relations Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina–Serbia relations Category:Central European intergovernmental organizations Category:Expedited border crossing schemes Category:International border crossings Category:International organizations based in Europe Category:International travel documents Category:Kosovo–Montenegro relations Category:Kosovo–North Macedonia relations Category:Kosovo–Serbia relations Category:Law enforcement in Europe Category:Multi-speed Europe Category:Montenegro–North Macedonia relations Category:Montenegro–Serbia relations Category:North Macedonia–Serbia relations Category:Organizations based in the Balkans Category:Schengen Area Category:Transport and the European Union --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Open Balkan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Balkan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Balkan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.