Employment is one of the weak links in the Western Balkans. The share of the informal sector in the economy is very high, as well as attrition and depopulation. The informal sector in Kosovo reaches 60%, Veselin Mitov, international secretary of the Podkrepa trade union, said at the opening of an international conference dedicated to "Employment and social security in the Western Balkans - from regional specifics to a common European future".

Among the main problems, Mitov pointed out brain drain but also the lack of all kinds of manpower. This is also a problem for Bulgaria, the expert said.

Maria Mincheva, vice-president of the Bulgarian Industrial Association said that the Balkans miss opportunities and do not use the potential of a single regional market. We continue to be driven by the past, not the future, she added.