A delegation of the Government of North Macedonia composed of national coordinators Marjan Zabrchanec and Nola Ismajloska Starova, and the foreign relations advisor to the Prime Minister, Edmond Ademi, met today in Washington DC with Gabriel Escobar, Deputy Assistant Secretary and Special Representative for the Western Balkans.

At the meeting, representatives of the Open Balkan initiative from North Macedonia, Albania and Serbia spoke to State Department representatives about the importance of regional connections and the free movement of people, capital, goods and services. They once again affirmed the initiative's openness to Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo joining in the future.

Representatives of the State Department expressed strong and unequivocal support for the European integration of the entire Western Balkan region and especially for inclusive regional economic and political cooperation developed through concrete, results-oriented initiatives such as Open Balkan that are welcomed by citizens, companies and institutions and are in line with EU rules and regulations.

The Western Balkans have an unequivocal European future, the countries of the region should become members of the EU within a reasonable time because they will bring new opportunities to Europe, it was stressed during the meeting.

As part of the study visit organized by the international organization Atlantic Council, the representatives of the Open Balkans from North Macedonia, Albania and Serbia will have meetings with representatives of the U.S. Senate, as well as with representatives of the international organizations NED, NDI and IRI.