The Western Balkans region needs to create new values, stronger interconnections and a bold decision-making, said Prime Minister Dusko Markovic.
“The greatest challenge today is to create a new value. My government is committed to policies that create development and new values,” said Markovic speaking at the plenary panel Can the Region Compete at the Global Playfield of the Summit 100 Business Leaders of Southeast Europe.
This year’s summit with the motto A New Deal for a New Age is being held in Skoplje.
In addition to Markovic, the summit is attended by the PMs of the Republic of Macedonia and Albania, Zoran Zaev and Edi Rama, as well as the chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denis Zvizdic.
Speaking about the need for better connections within our region, Markovic said that we live near each other but that it is difficult for us to reach each other.
“Denis (Zvizdic) arrived in Skopje via Istanbul,” said PM Markovic, pointing out that the region needed infrastructure development.
Markovic particularly emphasised the importance of meetings such as the one in Skopje.
“Such conferences and suggestions coming from the business community through specifically focused topics represent the best approach and the best support to the responsible governments to change the situation and to ensure a better valorisation of their own resources,” the PM said.
Markovic pointed to another problem.
“Governments are ready to accept your suggestions. But it’s not about governments (which are ready to accept the decisions of the business community). The problem is in our administrations. We need reforms there,” he said.
PM Markovic concluded his speech by the assessment that the region of the Western Balkans and every country within that region had no dilemma which the strategic direction should be pursued.
“This is a Western value system,” said Markovic, adding that this fact defines our key reforms. “If we do not have dilemmas, the result will come with no need for a competition among the countries of the region.
