Zoran Zaev took his heir apparent Dimitar Kovacevski to the Open Balkan summit in Albania. Zaev relinquished his party leadership post to Kovacevski and is trying to have the little known former telecom executive installed as Prime Minister next month.
Kovacevski praised the initiative to bring Macedonia, Albania and Serbia in a closer economic union, that was put in place as the countries face a blockade of their EU accession prospects.

This initiative is very important for regional development of the economy and will enable easier movement of people, good and services in the region. I’m happy to give my personal contribution to it and get better acquainted with it, said Kovacevski, who sat next to Zaev during his meeting with Aleksandar Vucic and Edi Rama.

Another, regular guest at the summit was Alexander Soros, son of left wing activist billionaire George Soros. He always attends the Open Balkan summits and, along with his father, has strongly promoted the initiative which continues to be rejected by Kosovo, Bosnia and Montenegro, who fear being dominated by Serbia and/or Albania.