Austria supports the Open Balkans regional initiative. This was announced by the Minister of Europe and International Affairs of Austria, Michael Linhart in a press conference with Foreign Minister Olta Xhaçka today in Tirana. 

He said that this is about strengthening relations with the states of a region, so he expressed support for this initiative. According to the Austrian minister, now is the time for the EU to extend its hand for numerous investments in the region. For her part, Minister Xhaçka stated that the Open Balkans does not hinder integration and is not a conspiracy to remove the region from the perspective of Europe. 

"This is not a process that hinders integration, no plan or conspiracy to remove our region from the perspective towards Europe. It is an instrument to accelerate the Berlin process that guarantees 4 freedoms of movement in the region. It is based on the EU experience itself. If we go back and see how the EU started, to move from conflict to cooperation and exchange," Xhaçka said. 

"I do not think we should talk here about why or regardless of why. This is about the countries of the Western Balkans region developing relations between them, cooperation in the region. We support this and the EU needs to reach out and do more projects. For the youth, for example, for the union to exist in the Western Balkans as well," said the Austrian minister. 

Regarding the European integration process, Austrian Minister Linhart said that it is an important step that should be taken by the EU. According to him, North Macedonia, like Albania, is part of Europe and consequently can not stay outside it. 

"I support the opinion of the minister. We are returning from Skopje and I think that we now have an open window to hold these talks for North Macedonia and Albania. I think it is important not only for the countries but for the whole region, but a good step for the whole of Europe. North Macedonia and Albania are part of Europe, they are in the middle of Europe. They should not be excluded, we must give this message to our partners in the EU. It is an absolute chance to open negotiations for both countries "- the Austrian minister. 

While Minister Xhaçka says that there are positive signals from Bulgaria, despite the veto imposed on North Macedonia. Xhacka says that with the recent elections in Bulgaria, another approach has been promised to normalize relations with North Macedonia. 

"I would like to say that the truth is that after the last elections, Bulgaria has a more progressive approach to the stalemate with North Macedonia. After the last elections, they were in favor of normalizing relations with North Macedonia. There have been positive signals but we are in the conditions of an emerging reality both in the issue of the president and the coalition, so it is too early to say whether there will have to be a break between Albania and North Macedonia for the First Intergovernmental Conference. The whole region has a membership perspective. Since the Thessaloniki summit in 2003, but balance and reciprocity are needed. The process of transformation in our countries is ongoing. The interest for the process to continue is mutual. As the Austrian minister says, the EU and the Western Balkans are connected not only by geographical proximity but also by history and culture," Xhaçka said.