Zabrcanec named as coordinator of the Mini Schengen initiative – Macedonia’s consolation prize after the EU prospects grew more distant

The Kovacevski Government appointed its former spokesman Marjan Zabrcanec as coordinator for the Open Balkan/Mini Schengen initiative.

Zabrcanec is a former left wing NGO activist who was elevated by Zoran Zaev as his spokesman. As prospects for Macedonia actually joining the EU continue to face, the Open Balkan initiative was endorsed by the US and by the influential George Soros led foundation as an alternative solution. It would link Macedonia, Serbia and Albania – and possibly other non-EU countries in the region as well – in a sort of a trade union.