Coast: Balkans Towards a Common Market

“We must admit that despite the obstacles and imperfection, we had a successful effort last year. Looking at what we have accomplished, we cannot take pride in our common achievements, despite concerns about political and economic terrain since last July, the French Roaming in the Western Balkans (WB) became a reality. There was just as much political motivation to eradicate the so-called “billing” as there was a clear market value to do so. The business community strongly supported this, considering it useful. And let us not forget the profit. For all citizens, in three months since its implementation, data use has increased by 500%, and the number of roaming users to 30%. We have started dialogue with the EU this week on lowering roting tariffs between the EU, Western Balkans. We will practically cut the roaming tariffs by more than 90% on the most expensive BP mobile networks currently. This is a favourable situation for citizens and the business community of BP and the EU”, Bregu added.

The SEECP, the meeting of foreign affairs ministers and the Summit of Leaders in Thessaloniki, gathered under the chairmanship of the Greek SEECP (CiO), approved the RCC report on activities realised during the past year.

“We defined and established the main lines of regional co-operation and integration, already have a final goal -- a common market for the Western Balkans. The Green Agenda of the Western Balkans and SEE2030 are our main plans for sustainable growth in the region. I would like to seize the opportunity to thank Greece for being a pioneer, among EU member states, for creating Green Corsies with the Western Balkans.

It should be praised as very good news that green lanes will be followed by a blue corridor between Italy, Albania and Montenegro. We hope that this example can be followed by other neighbouring EU member states”, Bregu added.

The annual meeting of the RCC (The Regional Co-operation Council) was held the day before within the framework of the annual SEECP annual activities, when participants in the organisation approved its Annual Report 2021-22 and Strategy and Labour Programme 2023-2025. On the same day, RCC Secretary General Bregu awarded the award for the late Dr. Erhard Busek, for his great contribution to regional co-operation in Southeast Europe and unprecedented love for the region. Ever since this year, in memory of the late Dr. Busek, this award will be named after his name “The Champion of Regional Co-operation Award, Dr. Erhard Busek” This annual award, inaugurated in 2013, is an gratitude to an individual or organisation that the RCC Secretariat and its secretary general consider to have contributed mostly to the development of regional co-operation in Southeast Europe.

Our “region has to work harder to overcome itself and be worthy of value, like all EU countries, and not just to join as the technical process of Europe. Our citizens think it's time to live and feel Europe's transforming power to change lives. In their earthly lives, unless too late is an entire life. A transformational agenda is not just a process of dates and words, but of action. Our desires are valuable only until they are fulfilled. In the RCC, we don't have a magic wand to invent the impossible, but at least we're trying to be part of the problem settlement process, with stability and integrity. As challenging as it may be, with small or large surprises testing us daily, we remain committed to finding a way, a better way, indeed. ” has finished Coast.

The RCC thanks the SEECP Greek presidency for their invaluable contribution to the leadership and advance of regional co-operation through the SEECP framework and looks forward to Montenegro's presidency, congratulating it for future successful SEECP chairmanship.