Skopje, 16 December 2021 (MIA) – Prime Minister Zoran Zaev has said he is surprised by President Stevo Pendarovski’s position regarding the Open Balkan initiative. On Wednesday, Pendarovski at a joint news conference in Pristina with his Kosovar counterpart Vjosa Osmani said that “Open Balkan” is just one aspect of the Berlin Process. “It is initiative with institutions and resources, something which the former currently lacks. The Berlin Process is a kind of umbrella initiative that can include others,” he stated. “I think that if all six countries in the region take part in ‘Open Balkan’, the initiative will serve as one of the instruments for improving regional economic and trade cooperation, but not political cooperation. Other initiative can be a part of the Berlin Process, but not a substitution for it. The Berlin Process has produced excellent results in the past 7-8 years and has a tendency to expand,” Pendarovski said. “Why would anyone be against friendship with the neighbors, against young people and people in the Western Balkans in general getting to know each other more and against facilitated exchange, I cannot understand,” Zaev told TV21. I’m also baffled, he added, when such negative reactions come from the head of the state, who should be the first one on the frontline to protect the interests of the citizens. According to him, in North Macedonia, the president has no authorization with respect to facilitating customs procedures, introduction of one-stop shops, and involving the recognition of work permits and qualifications. “I’m not concerned, but I’m confident that the institutions are committed to securing the benefits from this initiative,” the outgoing PM said. “I’m surprised that Pendarovski has changed his mind for this economic initiative, but I won’t be surprised when he will reconsider his position to extend support in the coming period in the interest of the citizens, the country and the region,” PM Zaev stated.