Zoran Zaev bid farewell to several local and European officials during his last Open Balkan summit as Prime Minister. Zaev went to Tirana accompanied by his successor as SDSM party leader – Dimitar Kovacevski – who Zaev wants to elevate to Prime Minister as well.

We had measurable success. I congratulate you all for being part of this process. We made a great job. It’s not easy right now in the EU or in the Balkans, but we did it. This is an authentic initiative to which we invite all the countries from the region, Zaev said.

The initiative, to more closely integrate the already well integrated economies of Macedonia, Albania and Serbia, was developed as the three countries began to face growing obstacles on the EU path. Other regional countries, like Montenegro, Bosnia and especially Kosovo are wary of joining the group.