The program of this year's Forum of Young Leaders of the region focuses on the challenges on the path of economic connection and integration of the countries of the Western Balkans. The Mayor of Novi Sad, Miloš Vučević, attended the opening of that event, which gathers representatives of the business community from the Western Balkans in Novi Sad from October 30th to November 1st.

- It is extremely important to talk and share experiences with the region, at any time, and especially in this one. Today, we probably share the same challenges and problems more than ever. The global pandemic, endangered human health, resulting in the uncertainty. Some of the topics of the Conference are challenges in the further development of the common market, development of the digital and innovation market, green approach to these processes. I expect that the participants will discuss, among other things, what is necessary and possible in the new circumstances to accelerate the initiative "Mini Schengen" which offers mega chances for all of us, for our future, that the region in which we live, would no longer be deserted. It will be extremely interesting to listen to the ideas and follow the work and thoughts of these young people. They must have their voice and their place in determining and creating their own future.  I, as a politician, will be very proud when we manage to do that in the whole region, for such a policy to become the rule, and not the exception - Mayor Vučević emphasized and congratulated the organizers who applied all epidemiological measures in difficult circumstances and that the gathering was organized in accordance with all recommendations, at the highest level.
As it was said during the opening, the Common Regional Market represents a program for the period from 2021 to 2024, on which the Regional Cooperation Council with partners and governments from the Western Balkans have been working for the past few months and is based on the four freedoms approach. Above all, it is the freedom of movement of goods, services, capital and people, including cross-sectoral measures, such as green corridors, in order to harmonize with European rules and standards and open opportunities for businesses and citizens. According to the vice president of the European Movement in Serbia, according to a study by the World Bank, such a stronger integration of the Western Balkans market could bring the region an additional 6.2% of GDP growth.
- There is also the development of regional digital space for the integration of the Western Balkans into the pan-European digital market, as well as the development of regional industrial and innovation space in order to transform industrial sectors. The Green Program is equally important, so all activities will have a "green" approach, which reflects the European Green Plan and translates it into the Green Program of the Western Balkans - said Aleksandar Simurdić from the European Movement in Serbia.

The Provincial Secretary for Regional Development, Interregional Cooperation and Local Self-Government, Aleksandar Sofić, emphasized that he was very glad that young people recognized the fact that only economically strong countries are strong coutries and that open dialogues are increasingly organized among the region's youth.

This year's edition of the Forum was prepared by the European Movement in Serbia - Novi Sad Local Council, Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence in partnership with the Regional Cooperation Council, with the support of the City of Novi Sad and the Provincial Government.