Albania, Serbia and North Macedonia agree on a "mini-Schengen"

[Omega21]

The leaders of the 3 countries have met a few days ago, agreeing on a "mini-Schengen" to be established. Trade agreements already exist, but as the same, old separate customs checks remain, they are not efficient.

The 3 countries have agreed to accept national IDs at all border crossings and set up streamlined, joint customs check to save a lot of time and money while allowing for much easier passing of goods.

Montenegro has mostly dismissed the idea, while Bosnia is still a potential member.

I'm not really sure how and if it will work out, but if they manage to allow for easy passing of goods and people, then most likely a Good development.

https://www.euronews.com/2019/11/11/western-balkan-leaders-plot-their-own-mini-schengen-zone

Edit: Forgot to add, Kosovo is pissed at Albania for not "consulting" with them before making any decisions. Kosovo is also applying a 100% tax on goods from Serbia since last year.  

Albin Kurti, who is also Kosovo’s prime minister-in-waiting, stated that the second ‘Balkan mini-Schengen’ meeting was unexpected for him after he had talked with Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama few weeks ago. He added that the meeting “shouldn’t have been held”

[Omega21]

Getting the whole former Yugoslavia in a pact of free movement is needed for the stability of all countries there. I applaud the move as one going for lasting peace.

Definitely agree. Although for Slovenia and Croatia it is not legally possible, as they are part of the EU. Serbia and Montenegro (MNE especially) are the closest to joining the EU, but even they have no guarantee of any time frame, so in the meantime, something like this is not a bad thing.

[Omega21]

FF move - Albania should also sign such an agreement with Kosovo.

I think they already have some sort of agreement in place.

Currently, Kosovo is not included in "mini-Schengen" talks mainly due to their 100% tax on all Serbian goods. The tax was introduced after Interpol voted against admitting them, so it was mainly a politically motivated decision by the old Government. Now, that PM, a former KLA leader is standing trial in Hague. The new Govt. is most likely going to be formed by the new "Albanian unionist" party (which seeks a unified Kosovo and Albania, and the formation of "Great Albania").