International forum brings together startup companies and Balkan politicians

500 representatives of newly established European companies got together in Sofia on 15^th of November to participate in a forum dedicated to innovative start-up companies, organised by the European Commission. The Prime Ministers of Macedonia - Zoran Zaev, of Serbia - Anna Burnabich, and Montenegro - Dusko Markovic, voiced their support for the forum.

During the annual meeting of the start-up European companies, which this year is taking place in the format of Central and Eastern Europe plus the Western Balkans, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov stressed the region's potential to create digital information hubs, which in turn give impetus to the the European digital economy.

Boyko Borissov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria: We want to create the platform to enable Bulgarian citizens, Serbian, Montenegrin, Macedonian and all others because we do not divide the Balkan countries. We want to actually create a powerful Balkan digital economy and make progress in the coming years.

Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner: Today, we are proud to launch the Startup Europe network for Central and Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans, a partnership from 14 countries. 14 countries committed to facilitating links between start-ups in the region, stepping up entrepreneurship education, creating synergies, and increasing availability of funding.

Zoran Zaev, Prime Minister of Macedonia: I think politicians have to choose how to learn. We must make efforts not only to develop gross domestic product, stimulate the economy, but also to support start-ups - the people who are innovative and creative - to have very smart and talented educated people. Formats like this in Sofia help us to get valuable knowledge to apply to startups.

Dusko Markovic, Prime Minister of Montenegro: Our region is still trying to get out of the scope of socialism. People want to work in the public sector instead of becoming entrepreneurs and developing their own business and own ideas. However, the region is moving quite fast today, and Montenegro's growth is among the five most dynamic European ones. That is why we are trying to encourage the economy and start-up companies.

Anna Burnabic, Serbia's Prime Minister: The government does not know everything. We in the government know very little, and if we are representatives of a smart and responsible government, we need to consult people who know better than us - ask them what to do and how best to do something about them . By the end of 2016, we helped create the Digital Serbia initiative as a format that brings together one of the most successful startups in Serbia.