Skopje, 3 December 2021 (MIA) – Solidarity and cooperation are the key elements in creating an attractive region for new investments, Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi told a summit of heads of government of the Central European Initiative (CEI) in Budva on Friday. Deputy PM Bytyqi said that despite the enormous challenges that the pandemic has produced, it has also created new opportunities. “I believe all countries of the Western Balkans have a serious opportunity to improve both individual and regional competitiveness if we seize the moment and the process of restructuring value chains, which will result in more international companies investing in our country and local businesses increasingly getting involved in global supply chains,” said Bytyqi. He added that the Budva summit promoted and supported the Declaration of Western Balkan countries that reaffirmed their intention to improve the health systems, as the most affected sector from the COVID-19 crisis, through cooperation, innovations and upgrading. The Deputy PM recalled that North Macedonia has been a member of CEI since 1993. “This forum creates many opportunities for enhancement of cooperation, especially because some countries are EU members. It is used for exchange of experience and knowledge for the purpose of creating a better society for citizens, developed economy, enhancement of democracy. All these activities will contribute to easier and faster EU integration,” underlined Bytyqi. The summit, hosted by the Government of Montenegro, brought together state officials and representatives of the business community from the 17 CEI member-states.