The Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dritan Abazovic, denied that his country is joining the regional initiative “Open Balkan”.

Abazovic is participating for the first time in the meetings of this initiative, which are being held in Ohrid, Northern Macedonia. But, his presence in these meetings is said to be in the capacity of observer.

“We are not going to Ohrid to join the ‘Open Balkan’, but to express, together with the EU partners and NATO allies, the attitude towards a regional initiative, so that in the end to have more understanding and good cooperation “, said Abazovic through a post on his channel on the social network, Telegram.

Abazovic’s reaction came after on June 7, the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, after an informal meeting in Ohrid, stated that Abazovic’s participation in the meetings in Ohrid, “officially introduces Montenegro to the ‘Open Balkan'”.

The “Open Balkan” initiative involves three Western Balkan countries: Albania, Serbia and Northern Macedonia – outside of which are still: Kosovo, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

However, representatives of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina are attending in Ohrid.

The “Open Balkan” initiative is a continuation of the Balkan “mini-Schengen”, presented in Novi Sad, Serbia on October 10, 2019, by the leaders of Serbia, Northern Macedonia and Albania.