Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski addressed the Macedonian Night that took place during the Wine, Food and Tourism Fair as part of the Open Balkan Initiative.
Below you will find the integral speech of Prime Minister Kovachevski:
In the very beginning, I would like to extend my appreciation to everyone who came, but mostly I would like to thank President Vučić, because hadn’t we resolved all issues between North Macedonia and Serbia, it would not have been possible to hold this Macedonian night in another country and holding your own night in another country is possible only if one feels like home.
Furthermore, I would like to thank the Prime Minister of Montenegro and the ministers of Montenegro. The Prime Minister of Albania and the ministers of Albania who delighted us with their presence this evening.
Moreover, I would like to express my gratitude to the former Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, who was practically the founder of the Open Balkan Initiative, together with Prime Minister Rama and President Vučić.
My warm thanks go to our friends from the US, here we have Ambassador Hill and the representatives of the Open Society Foundation. We have the presidents of the chambers of commerce, representatives of chambers of commerce.
But what is most important, here we have the representatives, directors, managers of companies from North Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Montenegro who have well established cooperation. I hope that here we will have the Bosnian companies, the companies from Kosovo, we hope to see all six Western Balkan countries here.
Because this is a unique initiative that is autochthonous and original, it originates from us. I highly respect all other initiatives, the Berlin Process, and other integrations, however, these are initiatives that come from outside. And when I look at the lists of guests and attendees, I think of the cuts we need to make when going to summits, it is because people want, directors and politicians both, they all want to attend the Open Balkan meetings because they consider these meetings their own.
Because we have today the best fair, according to President Vučić’s words, ever held in Europe, a fair of wine, food, and tourism.
Had we had this fair in North Macedonia, the fair would have not been good, because I know truly little of wine. Had President Vučić had this fair alone in Belgrade, he has little knowledge of sale, and I have been in companies for 20 years, the fair would have not been successful. Had Rama made this fair alone in Albania, he knows a lot about art, this fair would have not been successful. But, when you put together an expert in wine, expert in sales and a talented artist, then wine, business and art will go hand in hand, and that is why we have the best fair ever.
The motto of our appearance on this fair is “Taste Life” and that is why I call all of you in these two remaining days at the Belgrade Fair, to taste Macedonian wines, to taste Macedonian food, to taste Macedonian music and in the end, when you will like all of this, to come to North Macedonia and to experience a wonderful Macedonian adventure. I wish you all a pleasant night and thank you.
