Macdonians travel to Greece as EU opens borders to three Balkan nations

(19 Dec 2009) SHOTLIST Gevgelija, Greece Macedonia border 1. Wide of Greece - Macedonia border and of Greek flag 2. Wide of Macedonian flag 3. Wide of border with lorries in queue 4. Mid of border police ordering cars into queue 5. Wide of Greek border policeman with cars 6. Close of licence plate of Macedonian car 7. Mid of traveller handing over documents at border kiosk 8. Close of stamp on paper 9. Mid of documents handed back 10. Pan right to left of cars at border terminal 11. SOUNDBITE: (Macedonian) Igor Andreev "This is a big day for Macedonia. A historic day for Macedonia. And in any case its so good that you can cross the borders without visas and visit EU countries. But, the work is not done and we are aiming for full membership into the EU and this is just a step in that process." 12. Close of Skopje licence plates 13. SOUNDBITE: (Macedonian) Milco Djorckov "It is a lot simpler now. But whoever has money and will be able to travel will do so." 14. Wide of Greek border policeman 15. Wide of Greek and EU flags STORYLINE The European Union lifted restrictions and opened its borders this weekend for the first time to more than ten (m) million Serbs, Montenegrins and Macedonians after nearly 20 years of demanding visas, All three western Balkan nations - once part of the former Yugoslavia - have welcomed the lifting of visas, hoping this will lead to closer ties with the 27-nation bloc. It also marks a significant milestone for citizens who have long felt shunned by the rest of Europe - ever since visa requirements and fees were introduced as the federation was breaking up and going to war in 1991. Overnight on Friday, many celebrated with fireworks, concerts and all-night festivities. In the Macedonian capital of Skopje, a huge countdown clock was posted at a central square attended by thousands. At midnight on Friday, champagne corks flew. At the border with Hungary, several hundred Serbs braved freezing weather to cross the border just minutes after midnight. At the Macedonian border with Greece on Saturday, Igor Andreev said: "This is a big day for Macedonia. A historic day for Macedonia." But even as the new free travel policy brings joy to many, some are saying it will do little good because of the region's widespread poverty and economic hardship. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...