The consequences of sanctions: Kosovo lags outside 7.5 billion EU programme

With the signing of this agreement in Brussels today, citizens, businesses and public institutions of countries in the region that attended this meeting will be able to apply in the programme financed by the European Union.

Regional Co-operation Council Secretary-General (RCC) Majlinda Bregu expressed happiness in signing this agreement, saying that digital agenda constitutes one of the main pillars of Regional Market.

Kosovo is not part of this project, just at the time when European Union countries have imposed sanctions on the country due to tensions in northern Kosovo which have been conveyed with constant calls for deespass, but unmarked by Kosovo leaders.

Just when not only the European Union but also the United States of America have warned that they will impose measures on Kosovo, the country is counting on failures as well as making part of the important agendas for integration into European structures, one of them was also “Digital Europe”.

“During the first Regulatory Dialogue I stressed the next challenge for lowering the roting tariffs between the EU and BP. As of October 1st, we expect a regional average decrease of 30% of the cost of data during the roting” said Regional Co-operation Council Secretary-General (RCC), Majlinda Bregu, at the meeting of the EU-Western Balkans Regulatory Dialogue organised by the European Commission in Brussels today.

The meeting brought together ministers from the Western Balkans responsible for the Communication and Digital Agents, senior European Commission officials, as well as representatives of the Western Balkans' telecommunication bodies and regulatory agencies. Except for Mrs. Bregu kept his opening address with Roberto Violet, DG Director - General EU's CONECT; Gert Jan Koopman, DG Director General NEAR of the EU; and Natalia Aristiuño Pérez, DG Director THE EU's DUDIT, writes Paparaci.com.

“We are gathering a day after the successful high-level conference for cyber security, calling for a more systematic integration of our region into the EU's overall cyberspace efforts. These intensive days on cyber security and regulatory dialogue between our region and the EU on digital transformation agendas, hopefully soon to become our usual ritual. Modern dialogue can and should design some of the roads, policies, frames, concrete digital programmes in which the region can integrate with concrete benefits before membership. The RCC is ready to be the platform to shape this bold and progressive vision of integration, bringing our region closer to the EU. Only a strong dialogue directed by the demand that is guided by the EU's clear vision of open roads for accelerated integration and strong pragmatism that helps assess our needs and regulatory challenges can bring lasting results”, Bregu concluded.

On average, 72.5% of BP families have access to large-generation fixed networks offering speeds higher than 30 Mbps, compared to 90% in the EU. Moreover, only 35% of BP citizens possess at least basic digital skills, while in the EU the average is nearly 54%. Only 3% of companies in the BP region used at least one artificial intelligence technology, while in the EU it is nearly three times more, and the use of digital technologies from SMEs to BP remains prominently below the EU average. The future growth plan for the Western Balkans, which should include gradual integration into the single digital market and increased financial assistance, could be the main driver towards dialogue and co-operation with the EU.