Digital summit brings together prime ministers of Western Balkan countries

The Digital Summit, as one of the components of the Multiyear Development Plan Development Integration in the Regional Economic Zone in the Western Balkans, is envisioned as an annual event aimed at combining existing efforts and developing recommendations for future co-operation among the region's economies, focusing on the core topics of building a digital future: Trust, security, e-government, industry, society and the economy.

The summit opened with the Western Balkan Prime Ministers' panel for the integration of the region into the pan-European digital market, followed by the presentation and ministerial political reflection of regional research on the impact of digitalisation on Balkan prosperity.

At the opening of the summit, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev expressed great satisfaction in organising the first regional summit for the Western Balkans, which will begin the era of digital integration in the region.

“Digital Revolution will remove geographical boundaries. This global economic trend provides great opportunities to use. It affects all our citizens, young and old, making our economy and the globally competitive region. New technologies will create jobs, economic prosperity, new skills, creative and fresh ideas. If we want to create futures for us and our children, we cannot lose digital integration. It can best be achieved through regional co-operation, an irreplaceable tool for joint progress “, Prime Minister Zaev said.

European Commissioner for Economics and Digital Society Marija Ivanova Gabriel thanked Prime Minister Zaev for hosting this first Digital Summit in the region, adding that the digital transformation of our societies had brought us together in Skopje today.

“Digitalisation, of course, is a major driver of change and progress. I am personally committed to having citizens at the center of our action and benefit from the digital revolution. It's an opportunity not to lose. We are convinced that we have to walk together on this path of the EU and the Western Balkans, as digitalisation is no exception. It is an integral element of the Western Balkans to benefit from this increased capacity and opportunity, provided by the new EU enlargement strategy and the Multi-year Action Plan for a Regional Economic Zone. My team and I are working hard to provide the digital integration of the region “, she said.

Secretary-General Goran Svilanovic, who delivered an important speech and moderated a prime minister panel, expressed satisfaction with 1 in the next series of Digital Samites in the region, marking the moment in the implementation of MAP MAP, approved by the leader last year in Trieste, in the field of digitalisation.

<x) This Digital Samit undoubtedly shows the region's willingness to take this challenge, enabling their economies to compete on the global scene and provide many attractive opportunities for their citizens. The RCC remains committed to seeing this process, supporting the region in its digital integration “, he has said.

Close to 800 participants and 50 speakers are expected to participate in different panels over the next two days, covering four mainmatic platforms: 01 digital skills a collaborative, co-ordinated and targeted capacity for digital skills; 02 Trust and security ) regional and international partnerships for an open and open space; 03 digital webs and environmental services, connections and access to the right framework for digital connection in the Western Balkans; and 04 digital economies and society towards a digitised Western Balkans: Improved digital performance and digital competition in the region, the newspaper Observer broadcasts.

An integral and important part of the summit is Digital EXPO, which will collect up to 50 companies in the digital industry from the region and beyond, displaying their innovative products and services for the public and forming connections with potential partners from the government and business sectors.

At the same time as the main event, it is an initial camp, predicted as a side event, where founders, entrepreneurs, investors and experts from the Western Balkans will have an opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences. /Gazzeta Observer/