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Representatives of RCC Secretariat and Montenegrin SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office meet in Sarajevo
The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, held today in Sarajevo consultations with Montenegrin Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nebojsa Kaludjerovic, representing the rotating Chairmanship-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) taken over by Montenegro at the SEECP Summit in Istanbul in June 2010.
The meeting focused on preparation of the Montenegrin SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office Work Programme with the aim of its full compliance and alignment with the Strategy and Work Programme of the Regional Cooperation Council for 2011 – 2013.
In this context, interlocutors stressed the importance of close cooperation in achieving full synergy between SEECP as the political umbrella and RCC as its operational arm.
The two officials also discussed future steps in the process of streamlining regional initiatives and task forces in South East Europe.
RCC Secretary General presents the organization’s new strategy at COWEB Capitals meeting
The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic presented today to the COWEB Capitals meeting in Brussels the organization’s Strategy and Work Programme 2011-13, adopted last month, and received support to the organization’s work by the participants.
Secretary General Biscevic highlighted that, in the implementation of the RCC mandate and the new three-year Strategy, it is necessary to take maximum advantage of recent positive trends in regional cooperation in South East Europe.
“These trends, and the current rapprochement in bilateral relations among the countries, should be translated into a genuine readiness for regional cooperation, as well as concrete recovery and development projects. In this respect, the RCC Strategy is a valuable tool complementing the countries’ efforts to design and implement regional projects in the areas of infrastructure, energy, transport, etc.”
The RCC Secretary General also outlined the results of the RCC Annual Meeting and the Summit of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), held in Istanbul, on 22-23 June 2010.
He informed the COWEB Capitals of the preparations for the Annual Programme of the incumbent Montenegrin SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office that the RCC has been actively involved in.
During his stay in Brussels, Secretary General Biscevic also met with the Director General for Enlargement at the European Commission, Michael Leigh, to discuss future cooperation between the RCC and the Commission, in light of the new Strategy.
RCC hosts first meeting for preparing South East European strategy on justice and home affairs
The first meeting of the South East European Steering Group for Regional Strategy on Justice and Home Affairs 2011-2013, ended in Sarajevo today at the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat, which is coordinating the preparation of the document.
Participants of this two-day event worked on the first draft of the strategy and action plan, with a goal to identify challenges in each of the countries and integrate them into a regional framework.
The experts identified the following main threats in South East Europe: trafficking in human beings and sexual exploitation of children; illegal migration and smuggling of migrants; trafficking and smuggling of goods, hazardous materials and arms; money laundering; drugs trafficking; terrorism and its links to organized crime; and corruption.
Once finalized, the regional strategy on justice and home affairs will include a plan for a system of monitoring and evaluating regional cooperation, with benchmarks and indicators. It will contain a chart of regional actions, initiatives, institutions, organizations and programmes, map the existing technical assistance activities as well as the lessons learned, gaps and overlaps.
The envisaged result is a sustainable, coherent, transparent and coordinated regional strategy on justice and home affairs in South East Europe for the next three years, which will provide guidance for monitoring progress, circulating and assessing information, facilitating cooperation among relevant actors and donors, and raising visibility of regional efforts.
The first draft of the document is expected to be produced in September 2010, with the strategy being endorsed by the South East European ministers of justice and home affairs in early 2011.
The meeting participants included representatives of national judicial institutions from South East Europe, SEE regional organizations, EU institutions and agencies, representatives of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, national and international experts on justice and home affairs, NGOs and professional associations.
RCC Secretary General discusses energy and transport projects with Albanian officials
The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Hido Biscevic met in Tirana today with top Albanian officials to discuss concrete regional projects, primarily in the energy and transport sectors.
The readiness of the Albanian government and relevant ministries to engage in the design and implementation of such projects was stressed at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilir Meta, also in view of the last week’s discussions by the heads of state and government of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) in Istanbul.
The two officials also talked about political situation in the region, pointing to a need for regional cooperation to remain a key drive of EU integration for the countries of South East Europe. They welcomed recent series of positive meetings and decisions among the region’s leaders promoting cooperation and EU integration as well as rapprochement in bilateral relations among the countries of the region.
In this context, Deputy Prime Minister Meta mentioned a recently held quadrilateral meeting of presidents of Albania, Montenegro, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Kosovo.
He positively evaluated the work of the RCC Secretariat, expressing his firm belief that the RCC would continue to operate on the principle of all-inclusiveness.
The Minister of Public Works and Transport, Sokol Olldashi, underlined the significance for Albania of its cooperation with neighbours in the areas of transport and infrastructure, such as through cleaning the bed of the Buna River and improving road connectivity with Montenegro.
Secretary General Biscevic suggested that these projects be discussed at the next meeting of the SEECP ministers of transport, to be held under the Montenegrin Chairmanship-in-Office. He expressed the readiness of the RCC to raise, on its end, the interest for such projects at future meetings of SEECP ministers of economy, energy and transport, in line with its mandate.
The meeting with Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade and Energy, Leonard Beqiri, focused on Albania’s views on priority regional projects, particularly the construction of a modern energy transport system between Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
The RCC Secretary General’s visit was part of a consultation series with the South East European leaders in the context of preparation and implementation of a recently adopted RCC strategy for 2011-2013.
RCC Secretary General discusses regional cooperation in Pristina
The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic visited Pristina today to discuss development opportunities in the context of regional cooperation in South East Europe.
Secretary General Biscevic met the Head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Lamberto Zannier; Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hajredin Kuci; Special Representative of the European Union (EUSR) in Kosovo, Peter Feith; and Vice President of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, Safet Gerxhaliu.
The talks with Ambassador Zannier focused on the current situation in Kosovo, while the conversation with Deputy Prime Minister Kuci centred around the importance of participation of relevant Kosovo authorities, agencies, business community, etc., in economic and developmental cooperation in South East Europe.
Deputy Prime Minister Kuci showed interest in the newly adopted RCC Strategy and Work Programme for 2011-2013 and expressed belief that Kosovo would find an appropriate place in its implementation, especially when it comes to programmes and projects in the fields of energy, infrastructure, transport, agriculture, etc.
The EUSR Feith shared his views with Secretary General Biscevic on the political developments in Kosovo, in particular in relation to EU integration, and Vice President Gerxhaliu expressed the interest of the Chamber of Commerce to strengthen its involvement in regional cooperation.
The RCC Secretary General’s visit was part of a series of consultations with leaders from South East Europe on the preparation and subsequent implementation of the organization’s Strategy for 2011-2013.
Albanian parliament hosts workshop on Energy Community, with Regional Cooperation Council support
Implementation of the Energy Community (EnC) Treaty was the main topic of a workshop on Energy Community and Regional Sustainability, which took place in Tirana today. The event was co-organized by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat and the Albanian national assembly, with support of the EnC Secretariat.
Albanian parliamentarians and parliamentary expert staff from the committees on industry, European integration, transport and communications participated in the seminar. The key discussion topics included the EnC Treaty as a legal framework and its implementation in Albania, market developments in the EnC, with a focus on Albania and its gas law, as well as the security and sustainability of energy supply, also in the context of climate change.
The workshop was opened by Jemin Gjana, Chairman of the Committee on Productive Activities, Trade and Environment of Albanian Parliament, Slavtcho Neykov, Director of the EnC Secretariat, and Miroslav Kukobat, Senior Expert on Infrastructure and Energy at the RCC Secretariat.
The workshop was the third one, after Belgrade and Sarajevo, in a series of RCC events built upon the conclusions of the regional workshop “Parliaments – Support to Harmonized Energy Reforms in South East Europe”, held in Sarajevo in December 2008. The 2008 workshop initiated the process of facilitating the lawmaking and increasing the ability of parliaments to oversee their governments in the energy reform process.
RCC Secretary General and EU Enlargement Commissioner discuss EU policy towards South East Europe
Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, and EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Stefan Fuele, agreed at their meeting in Brussels yesterday that the last week’s high level EU-Western Balkans meeting and recent activities of political leaders from South East Europe affirmed the EU perspective of all the countries of the region and opened a new chapter in the political relations, based on a full readiness to dialogue, rapprochement and mutual respect.
Secretary General Biscevic highlighted the significance of a persistent enlargement policy for a durable stability and cooperation in South East Europe.
“It is of a paramount importance to translate recent mutually reassuring commitments, undertaken both by the EU and by the countries in the region, into a set of coherent and elaborated policies that will sustain the present positive trends and turn them into a historically irreversible process”, said Biscevic.
Recalling the Sarajevo meeting discussions, the two officials confirmed the need for the elaboration of a regional recovery and development strategy in the priority areas of RCC activities, such as economic and social development, infrastructure and energy.
Biscevic called for an even tighter cooperation between the European Commission and the RCC, “since regional cooperation is recognized as a focal element of EU enlargement and the RCC is ready to continue providing a platform for the implementation of initiatives and projects relevant for the EU policy towards the region”.
Secretary General Biscevic informed Commissioner Fuele of the new three-year RCC strategy for 2011-2013, expected to be adopted this month, and thanked him for the Commission’s active participation in its preparation.
RCC Secretary General takes part in the 8th conference of SEECP speakers of parliament
The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, participated today in the 8th meeting of speakers of parliament of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) participating states, held in Antalya. The event was organized by the Republic of Turkey, which holds the rotating SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office.
“At this crucial point in time regional cooperation deserves our particular attention, because it is becoming increasingly evident that the synergy between renewed enlargement commitment on the part of the European Union and the new spirit of rapprochement and dialogue in the region needs to be supported and sustained by all policy makers, in particular by the parliaments”, said Biscevic.
He underlined that it was time for the regional cooperation in this sphere to gain momentum, and for the parliaments to act in order to ensure that positive trends in the region are translated into an irreversible process.
“I am convinced that by working together we can achieve the results the citizens of the region count on their parliaments to fulfil – to successfully adopt and implement reforms so as to improve the quality of the citizens’ life and to see the entire South East Europe become part of the European family in a near future.”
The participants adopted a joint declaration that calls upon all the parliamentarians of the SEECP participating States to increase public awareness of European integration processes. It places emphasis on the importance of dialogue, tolerance, peaceful co-existence as well as preservation of multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious fabrics of societies in line with the European standards.
The declaration notes that within a relatively short period of time, the Regional Cooperation Council, as an operational arm of the SEECP, has demonstrated its capacity to transform the vision of regional cooperation into concrete projects.
The meeting discussed strengthening of institutional framework of parliamentary cooperation in South East Europe, cooperation with parliamentary organizations and regional/international institutions as well as combating the negative effects of the world economic crisis on the SEECP participating states – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey.
The SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office rotates annually. Following the 23 June 2010 summit of the heads of state or government in Istanbul, Montenegro will take over the Chairmanship.
Declaration adopted at the meeting is available HERE.
RCC Board finalizes discussions on the organization’s three-year strategy
Members of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Board supported in Sarajevo today the concept of the 2011-2013 strategy and work programme of the organization, and agreed to finalize it in time for the approval by the RCC Annual Meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, on 22 June.
The new strategy will define RCC activities over the next three years, based on the region’s needs, and focusing on projects with added regional value, in the priority areas of the RCC work: economic and social development, infrastructure and energy, justice and home affairs, security cooperation, building human capital and parliamentary cooperation in South East Europe.
The strategy has been prepared in close cooperation with the European Commission, with substantial input from other RCC members, particularly those from South East Europe.
The RCC Board was also presented with the quarterly report of Secretary General Hido Biscevic on the Secretariat’s activities in the period February-May 2010, available HERE.
The RCC Board meets quarterly and provides the RCC with operational guidance and supervision. It consists of those RCC members contributing to the budget of the RCC Secretariat as well as the European Union, represented by the Troika, consisting of the EU Presidency, the European Commission and the Council Secretariat.
Biscevic, Djelic agree on the importance of regional projects as a developement stimulus
“The main goal of the series of visits to the RCC members from South East Europe, I have undertook, is pinpointing the national projects that could be implemented on a regional level, thus creating a climate for invigorated economic development of the region as a whole,” said Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General, Hido Biscevic, at the meeting with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Bozidar Djelic, in Belgrade today.
The two officials agreed on the possibility for RCC to play a central role in coordination and preparation of projects that might be pivotal for economic growth of South East Europe. They emphasized importance of the upcoming high level meeting between the EU and Western Balkans to be held on 2 June in Sarajevo, and organised by Spain, current holder of the rotating EU Presidency, indicating it as a great opportunity for promoting projects of regional importance.
Streamlining of task forces and initiatives and the overall cooperation of South East European countries in the process of European integration have been emphasized at a separate meeting between the RCC Secretary General and Borislav Stefanovic, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia. The State Secretary positively assessed the importance and modus of operations of the RCC against the difficult background in the region.
Secretary General with PM Gruevski: Cooperation on joint projects a way to accelerated development
As part of visits to the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) members from South East Europe (SEE), the Secretary General Hido Biscevic met yesterday in Skopje with the Prime Minister of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Nikola Gruevski, and informed him on the finalization of the Strategy and Work Programme of the organization for the 2011-2013 period.
Biscevic emphasized that, following the Western Balkans Investment Framework established last December in Brussels at the conference “Western Balkans: Overcoming the economic crisis – from regional cooperation to EU membership”, projects of importance for the region should be designed and developed, especially in the field of energy, transportation and other areas of infrastructure.
Prime Minister Gruevski expressed his support to the work of RCC in developing regional projects, and stressed organisation’s importance in the context of EU integration process of the South East European countries. He agreed with the proposal regarding designing joint regional projects which would stimulate accelerated economic development of each individual national economies and the region as a whole.
The meeting was also attended by The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Vladimir Peshevski; Minister for Foreign Affairs, Antionio Milososki; Minister of Economy, Fatmir Besimi; and Minister of Transport and Communication, Mile Janakieski.
In a separate meeting, the Minister of Economy, Fatmir Besimi, supported the energy projects and transport corridors and underscored the interest of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in connecting its transmission grids with the neighbouring countries, as well as his country’s readiness to consider the possibilities for cooperation in the fields of industrial clusters, agriculture and tourism.
RCC national coordinators from South East Europe discuss new strategy of the organization
The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) national coordinators from South East Europe met today to discuss the draft organization’s strategy for 2011-2013, with the aim of its finalization and subsequent approval by the RCC Board on 18 May 2010.
The participants of the meeting presented their detailed views, comments and suggestions on the draft strategy, as well as provided guidance to the RCC Secretariat in the process of the finalization of the document.
Following the envisaged approval by the RCC Board, the 2011-2013 strategy should be adopted by the Second Annual Meeting of the Regional Cooperation Council, which is to take place on 22 June 2010 in Istanbul, Turkey.
The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic also informed the national coordinators of the latest activities of the RCC Secretariat.
RCC Secretary General joins experts in addressing economic crisis in South East Europe
Hido Biščević, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), took part in a conference of ministers of economy and finance of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), which is being held in Istanbul, Turkey, on 8-10 April 2010.
The event, which also gathered governors of central banks in the region, was organized by the Turkish SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office in order to exchange experiences in dealing with effects of the global economic and financial crisis on South East Europe.
“Only a year ago, it seemed that our countries were rushing into a downward spiral threatening to wipe out a decade of significant growth”, said the RCC Secretary General in his address to the conference.
“Due to swift measures taken by the governments in the region, however, as well as a coordinated and timely assistance from international financial institutions, the negative trend was reversed and the region was put on a path of slow and gradual recovery.”
Secretary General Biščević reminded that although we may be in somewhat calmer waters now, the work of the governments and monetary institutions in the region, as well as RCC partners, is still far from over.
“Now, more than ever, South East Europe needs fresh and bold development initiatives and continued investment as this is also the best investment in durable stability.”
Conference participants appreciated an IMF presentation on the current state of and predictions for future financial developments in the region. They noted that structural reforms, public expenditure, unemployment, investment flow and credit activities, as well as general restoration of public confidence are the areas were full attention and caution will still be needed.
“One would hope that a lesson learned from this crisis is the awareness that our countries truly need to reach out and start working together in order to make the best use of vast human and natural resources, beyond political constraints”, concluded Biščević.
Young Turkish diplomats visit RCC Secretariat
Within the framework of a training programme that envisages a tour throughout the Balkan countries, a group of seventy-two young Turkish diplomats were welcomed today in the premises of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat by Deputy RCC Secretary General, Jelica Minić.
Deputy Secretary General Minić presented the young diplomats with the organisation’s mission, priorities and activities, with a focus on the RCC priority areas of economic and social development, energy and infrastructure, justice and home affairs, security cooperation, building human capital, and parliamentary cooperation.
The guests from the Republic of Turkey chose to visit the RCC Secretariat as they estimated it would substantially contribute to the success of their training programme and offer them an opportunity to enhance understanding of the functioning of a regionally owned international organisation with a key role in South East Europe.
RCC Secretary General holds talks with Turkish officials
The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biščević, met today with Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioğlu, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, and Ambassador Şanıvar Olgun, Turkish RCC National Coordinator, to discuss future activities of the organization.
Secretary General Biščević informed his Turkish counterparts of the new strategy for the 2011-13 activities of the RCC Secretariat that is currently being finalized. He underlined that, following the initial two years of the organization’s set up and profiling, the focus will in the future shift on concrete project-oriented activities.
The Turkish officials gave full support to the work of the RCC, confirmed necessity to ensure full synergy between the RCC and the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) that Turkey is currently chairing, and a need to streamline regional initiatives to avoid duplication.
The RCC Secretary General also met with representatives of relevant expert departments in the Turkish Government, namely transport, energy and foreign trade, as well as the Turkish Chamber of Commerce to discuss concrete ideas to be included in the new RCC strategy. Representatives of the Chamber of Commerce also supported a closer and more direct involvement of private sector in the RCC work.
RCC hosts preparatory meeting for the Conference of SEECP Speakers of Parliament
A two-day preparatory meeting for the 8th Conference of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Speakers of Parliament ended in Sarajevo today with the participants agreeing on the outline programme and discussing the main aspects of the final declaration of the Conference.
The event, hosted by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat and co-organized with the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (GNAT) under the auspices of the Turkish SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office, gathered national coordinators of the SEECP parliaments.
The meeting was opened by the Head of the RCC Secretariat’s Building Human Capital Unit, Mladen Dragasevic, and GNAT Director of Foreign Relations and Protocol, Hasan Baytekin.
“Parliaments, as legislators, play a vital role in implementing relevant reforms and increasing efficiency and transparency of the governing structures in South East Europe (SEE)”, said Dragasevic. “The RCC sees promotion of bilateral and multilateral cooperation among parliaments in SEE, and establishment of closer ties between regional and EU parliaments, as a way forward in this area of regional cooperation.”
The 8th Conference of the SEECP Speakers of Parliament will be held in Istanbul, Turkey, on 3-5 May 2010.
RCC Secretary General, officials of the Republic of Moldova discuss joint activities
Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Hido Biscevic met today with high-level officials of the Republic of Moldova to outline the organization’s priorities in the next three years and the ways the Republic of Moldova can take best advantage of regional cooperation in South East Europe.
At a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Iurie Leanca, Secretary General Biscevic informed of the new 2011-13 strategy for the activities of the RCC Secretariat. He invited Minister Leanca to detect concrete ideas and projects with a regional dimension as a way to foster economic development of the country.
Minister Leanca credited the RCC for profiling itself as a leading regional organization, and stressed the compatibility of its activities with his government’s European integration aspirations.
Talking to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Valeriu Lazar, Secretary General Biscevic highlighted the elements of the new RCC strategy aimed at accelerating development of South East European countries and the region as a whole, through transnational projects.
Minister Lazar introduced the “Rethink Moldova” priorities of his country over the next four years, focusing primarily on responsible governance, economic recovery and human capital, with a view to developing a knowledge-based, competitive economy. He underlined his government’s orientation towards South East Europe and the experience of other countries with EU integration as important assets of cooperation within the RCC framework.
The RCC Secretary General also met with Gheorghe Duca, President of the Academy of Science of the Republic of Moldova, and discussed regional cooperation in the building human capital priority area of RCC activities, especially in terms of research, innovation and knowledge-based economy.
The meetings were a part of a series of consultations the RCC Secretary General has undertaken with the region’s leaders in the course of preparations of the 2011-13 strategy of the RCC Secretariat.
Deputy RCC Secretary General welcomes publication of OECD Investment Reform Index 2010
Deputy Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Jelica Minic welcomed today the launch of the OECD Investment Reform Index 2010 report, the preparation of which was initiated at the RCC offices in Sarajevo in September 2008. The report was prepared based on inputs from governments, independent experts and the private sector in South East Europe, using over 100 indicators.
“The OECD Investment Reform Index 2010 report presents an excellent opportunity to take stock of the progress made in the previous period, but also focuses our attention to the areas that still require substantial engagement from regional policy makers”, said Minic.
The publication of the 2010 report comes at an opportune period for SEE, when the economic crisis is slowly subsiding to be replaced by the first signs of recovery. The OECD’s Investment Reform Index 2010 provides a qualitative assessment of policies and institutions that critically affect the environment for direct investment in 10 economies of South East Europe: Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, UNMIK/Kosovo, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia.
Some of the major recommendations of the report include better enforcement of intellectual property rights, improving education and training systems, expediting the adoption of EU technical regulations and standards, and cooperating with neighbours to develop better infrastructures.
The Investment Reform Index is being prepared under the auspices of the South East European Investment Committee, a high-level policy forum whose management and cooperation will be transferred from the OECD to the RCC over the next year.
A summary brochure of the Investment Reform Index 2010 report is available HERE. Full report can be ordered through THIS LINK.
Future RCC role in focus of talks between the organization’s Secretary General and EC Director General for Enlargement
Future role of the RCC and its Strategic Work Programme for 2011-2013 was in focus of a meeting between RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic and Director General for Enlargement in the European Commission Michael Leigh, held in Brussels today.
Director General Leigh positively assessed the work of the RCC and its Secretariat, and supported the current draft of the RCC strategy for the next three years. He underlined the increasing role the RCC is assuming in South East Europe, in view also of the current economic crisis.
Moreover, he added that the European Commission was keen on seeing the RCC take over a more assertive and leading role in relation to the development of regional cooperation in South East Europe.
Secretary General Biscevic informed on the next steps in the finalization of the RCC Strategic Work Programme for 2011-2013, namely, its envisaged adoption by the RCC Board on 18 May and subsequent endorsement by the organization’s Annual Meeting and the Summit of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) the following month.
The two officials exchanged views on the political situation in the region, emphasizing the need to address open issues in a spirit of mutual understanding, compromise and restraint.
They touched upon two upcoming events related to the realization of the European perspective of the Western Balkans – a meeting of Western Balkan countries organized by Slovenia and Croatia later this month in Brdo kod Kranja, and the Ministerial EU-Western Balkans Forum to be organized under the auspices of the Spanish EU Presidency in June 2010.
RCC Secretary General and Montenegrin Prime Minister discuss cooperation
The RCC Secretary General, Hido Biscevic, and the Montenegrin Prime Minister, Milo Djukanovic, discussed in Podgorica today political developments in South East Europe (SEE) and importance of the SEE countries’ steady progress towards EU integration.
Secretary General Biscevic informed Prime Minister Djukanovic of the new strategy for the 2011-13 activities of the RCC Secretariat that is currently being prepared, and the related intention of the organization to focus its future activities on regional development projects. The two officials highlighted the significance of regional cooperation in SEE on such projects, also in view of the global economic crisis.
The RCC Secretary General and the Montenegrin Prime Minister stressed the importance of European perspective for all the Western Balkan countries. In this context, they singled out two forthcoming events: the Slovenian-Croatian initiative for a high-level meeting of Western Balkan countries expected to take place this March, and the EU-Western Balkans Forum to be organized under the auspices of the Spanish EU Presidency in June 2010.
The meeting is a part of a series of consultations the RCC Secretary General has undertaken with the region’s leaders in the course of preparations of the 2011-13 strategy of the RCC Secretariat.
RCC Secretary General holds talks with Chairman of BiH Council of Ministers
The RCC Secretary General, Hido Biscevic, met today with the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nikola Spiric, and informed him of the new phase of RCC activities following the initial period of the organization’s profiling as the key driver of regional cooperation in South East Europe (SEE).
Secretary General Biscevic stressed the potential for the region’s development created through the adoption of the Western Balkans Investment Framework at the high-level conference on Western Balkans, organized in Brussels in December 2009 by the Swedish EU Presidency and the European Commission, in cooperation with the RCC. The conference results and the new strategy for the 2011-13 activities of the RCC Secretariat, which is currently being prepared, have motivated Secretary General Biscevic to initiate a new round of consultations with SEE leaders to identify future regional development projects.
In case of Bosnia and Herzegovina, road and railroad infrastructure, energy, agriculture and ICT have been spotted as the areas in which the country could take the best advantage of its geographical position as well as activate its human and economic potential through regional cooperation, at the same time keeping in mind a balanced development of all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Finally, the RCC Secretary General thanked Chairman Spiric for the continuous support of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its institutions to the work of the RCC during the first two years of its operation.
First meeting of Regional Expert Network on Energy in South East Europe takes place at RCC Secretariat
A two-day initial meeting of the Regional Expert Network on Energy in South East Europe (SEE), which ended today at the RCC Secretariat in Sarajevo, discussed the energy policies in the region and its future activities, and produced appropriate documents in terms of its work plan and agenda.
The meeting gathered group of energy experts from the region with broader experience in energy policies and related topics. It discussed the role of the Regional Expert Network on Energy in addressing current regional energy issues, as well as future priority steps.
The purpose of the SEE Regional Expert Network on Energy is to establish close cooperation with the professional energy associations throughout the region, promote their role in expert education and learn from their practice in order to root policy discussions into actual professional practice. The Network will address specific topics from the energy policy agenda and sector policy interrelations, offer opportunities for informal discussion and the stage for policy harmonization.
Opening the meeting, Deputy RCC Secretary General, Jelica Minic, stressed that the network will also get engaged in investment promotion, transparency, competitiveness, investment support and public-private partnership related activities of the RCC Secretariat, as well as promote integrated approach in addressing emerging energy challenges by providing platform for active participation of other interested experts.
In addressing specific cross-sector issues, policy problems, global public goods and other relevant aspects, the Network may issue appropriate Position Papers.
The next meeting of the Regional Expert Network on Energy in South East Europe is expected to take place in September 2010.
RCC delegation visits Institute for Prospective Technological Studies
The delegation of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat, headed by the Deputy RCC Secretary General, Jelica Minić, visited the Joint Research Centre – Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (JRC-IPTS) in Seville, Spain on 18 December 2009. The meeting, hosted by IPTS Director, Peter Kind, and co-organized by the Centre for eGovernance Development in South East Europe, helped exchange information on the activities of the three institutions and explored avenues for future cooperation. Ambassadors of Serbia and Slovenia to the Kingdom of Spain, H.E. Jela Bačović and H.E. Peter Rebec respectively, were also present.
Jelica Minić drew the attention to the current gaps faced by the Western Balkans countries in the areas of science, research and development, and innovation; and outlined potentials that the region holds in these fields. It was noted that the experience and expertise of the IPTS, as one of Europe's leading policy studies institutions, would be invaluable to the RCC members as they formulate their scientific, research and innovation policies going forward.
The work that IPTS pioneers in Foresight, a future oriented policy formulation framework, was identified as an area of particular interest for Western Balkans countries. If applied correctly, the Foresight framework could yield successful regional policy responses to changing socio-economic and technological landscapes. “We are witnessing an emergence of several regional initiatives geared towards bringing progress in the areas of science, research, education and competitiveness. Finding a way for these initiatives to converge into a common vision for our region is quickly becoming our shared priority”, noted Deputy Secretary General.
Director Kind indicated that JRC-IPTS has considerable interest in the Western Balkans, as evidenced by the work already done by the institution. The Institute is currently involved in wbc-inco.net web-portal programme as part of the consortium to enhance the cooperation between the Western Balkan countries, EU member states, and the EC in the field of science and technology. Also, in an effort to develop a Southeast East Europe Regional Research Strategy, high-level policy and decision makers from the region will attend Foresight trainings hosted by the IPTS during early next year.
The RCC invited IPTS and director Kind to participate at a regional conference on the future of Western Balkans – “Western Balkans 2020” – to be organized by RCC early next year. The participants agreed that this conference would pose a good opportunity to present an outline of a regional Foresight programme and explore interest and readiness of regional stakeholders to take an active role in articulating and implementing the programme.
RCC, Standing Working Group to promote regional rural development in South East Europe
Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biščević, and the Chairman of the Assembly of the Standing Working Group for Regional Rural Development (SWG RRD), Dušan Nešković, signed today at the RCC Secretariat in Sarajevo a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation on rural development in South East Europe.
Cooperation in the rural development area is crucial because it represents an important factor for promoting pro-poor growth, given that the majority of rural dwellers in the region are close to, or below, the poverty line. The MoU signed today will formalize and strengthen the relationship between the RCC and the SWG and enable joint efforts in preparing projects of regional relevance.
Secretary General Biščević and Chairman Nešković underlined the importance of providing opportunities to rural populations and empowering them to lift themselves from poverty and contribute to economic and social development in South East Europe.
First preparatory meeting of South East European Women Entrepreneurs Conference held at RCC Secretariat
The organizational board of the South East European Women Entrepreneurs drafted today at the RCC Secretariat in Sarajevo relevant documents and agreed on further steps in preparing its 2010 Conference, which will be held in the framework of the Turkish Chairmanship-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP).
“The goal of the project is to establish a regional network of women entrepreneurs, provide support to the development of innovative financing options, and deliver capacity building in technical skills required to expand, access finance and support a larger business”, said Deputy RCC Secretary General, Jelica Minic, who hosted the event.
The project also aims at addressing three key obstacles to the growth of women entrepreneurship: lack of networking opportunities, difficult access to credit, and lack of specific knowledge and skills.
The participants shared experiences of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative and others that provided value added to further networking, training and financing of women entrepreneurs.
Opening remarks were delivered by the Senior UNECE Social Affairs Officer, Malinka Koparanova, and Entrepreneurship Department Director of the Small and Medium Industrial Development Organisation of Turkey, Necla Haliloglu.
The meeting was a follow up to the workshop on Enhancing Women Entrepreneurship in South East Europe, held at the RCC Secretariat in Sarajevo on 1 October 2009.
RCC hosts workshop on enhancing cooperation in combating illicit drug trafficking in South East Europe
On 23-24 November 2009, the RCC Secretariat hosted in Sarajevo a regional workshop on enhancing comprehensive cooperation in combating illicit drugs trafficking in South East Europe (SEE). The event was organized together with the Strategic Police Matters Unit of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
The meeting was opened by Deputy Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mijo Krešić, and the participants included law enforcement officers from OSCE and RCC member states from SEE region, the Russian Federation, The Netherlands, Italy, as well as representatives of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Interpol, Europol and the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI) Regional Center for Combating Trans-Border Crime.
Based on the current situation in their respective countries, the drug-fighting experts discussed experiences in identifying the most efficient methods in the law enforcement field to counter illicit drugs trafficking originating from Asia, and transiting through the Balkan route to European markets.
The participants concluded that, since international drugs trafficking criminal groups are constantly seeking the easiest and the most profitable new smuggling routes to consumer countries, the OSCE and other international organizations should strengthen their assistance to the law enforcement agencies in SEE to reduce drugs supply. This should be done both in terms of drug-fighting technology and by increasing global surveillance techniques.
RCC Secretary General takes part in a summit of Heads of Government of the Central European Initiative
The RCC Secretary General, Hido Biščević, participated in a meeting of Heads of Government of the Member States of the Central European Initiative (CEI) in Bucharest today. Secretary General Biščević extended his congratulations on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of successful cooperation and achievements of the Central European Initiative. He further stressed the excellent cooperation that is going on between the two organisations and secretariats. A concrete example of this cooperation is the joint launching of a Sustainable Energy Development Regional Initiative aimed to contribute to increasing the energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources in South East and Eastern Europe.
The RCC Secretary General expressed hope that the renewed engagement of the international community regarding the most challenging remaining issues in South East Europe would create a favourable environment for establishing a lasting peace and enhancing stability in the region. “A great deal of responsibility for this consolidation lies with the governments of the region. A great deal of responsibility lies also with the EU to embrace this region and avoid undue delay that may bring unwanted strategic vacuum.”
Secretary General Biščević also took part in the Central European Initiative Summit Economic Forum, held in Bucharest on 12 November 2009. He held a keynote speech on the subject of ensuring energy security and the role of Central and South East European Countries. "Energy is one of the most important prerequisites for the overall economic, social and environmental development, stability and prosperity of the region of South East Europe", Biscevic said.
The summit was held within the framework of the Romanian Presidency of the Central European Initiative. The participation of the RCC Secretary General in a summit of the CEI fits into the context of cooperation that is developing on the basis of a Memorandum of Understanding regarding cooperation between the RCC Secretariat and the CEI Executive Secretariat as well as within the context of the process of coordination of regional organisations and initiatives, which is intended to strengthen coordination and achieve synergy of activities carried out on the regional level as well as to avoid duplication and overlapping.
RCC hosts lecture ‘Global Economic Crisis: Implications and the Way Out, for Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans'
A panel lecture Global Economic Crisis: Implications and the Way Out for Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans was organized in Sarajevo today by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat, the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV) and the Faculty of Economics of the University of Sarajevo.
The event brought together lecturers from Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well representatives of government institutions, public officials, business community, academia, diplomatic community, and civil society, who addressed measures to counter the effects of the global economic and financial crisis on the region of South East Europe.
The pannelists discussed the possibilities for the economic crisis to transform into global depression; its implications on politics and business; issues that economists and politicians should know about the crisis; the global crisis and Turkey; influence of the crisis on Bosnia and Herzegovina; as well as the global economic crisis and the Western Balkans.
The participants were greeted by Hido Biščević, RCC Secretary General, and Veljko Trivun, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, University of Sarajevo.
The pannelists included Fatih Özatay, Director of the TEPAV Economic Policy Research Institute; Besim Ćulahović, Director of the Centre for International Projects at the Faculty of Economics, University of Sarajevo; Süreyya Serdengeçti, TEPAV Stability Institute Director and Former Governor of the Central Bank of Turkey; Anto Domazet, Director of the Sarajevo Institute of Economics; and Erhan Türbedar, Coordinator of the Programme for South East Europe, TEPAV.
The panelists' presentations are available as follows:
RCC Secretary General takes part in informal meeting of South East European Foreign Ministers in Istanbul
The RCC Secretary General Hido Biščević participated in Istanbul in the first informal meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) under the Turkish SEECP Chairmanship.
Secretary General Biščević drew attention of the ministers to the fact that, in light of the current economic and political situation in South East Europe, the countries need to do their utmost to ensure durable stability and inclusion into the EU of the entire region. Otherwise, he stressed, there is a danger of prolonged impasse or instability throughout the parts of the region, as unresolved issues against the backdrop of economic crisis and social disturbances may trigger a reversible course of development.
He also called for a pragmatic dialogue, mutual understanding and appeasement of the parties to the current outstanding issues. “The choice before our region at this point is the choice between durable, lasting stability and EU accession, or prolonged stagnation. It is the choice between the progress and future, or regression and failure."
The meeting, chaired by Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, served as an opportunity for Turkey to present the activity programme of the Chairmanship, including a calendar of events on a ministerial and expert level. During its SEECP Chairmanship, the Republic of Turkey will focus on stimulating regional cooperation in the areas of industry, economy, foreign trade, transport, energy, culture, and disaster preparedness and prevention.
The participants highlighted the importance of cooperation within the SEECP and RCC frameworks, the significance of support to regional projects and to enhancement of high-level political dialogue in South East Europe. They expressed hope that that the EU and NATO will continue their open door policy towards the countries of the region.
During the meeting in Istanbul, Secretary General Biščević had separate talks with Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Serbia, Greece and other participants of the conference.
RCC Secretariat hosts 1st Working Group Meeting of Education Reform Initiative of South East Europe
The 1st Working Group Meeting of the Education Reform Initiative of South East Europe (ERI SEE) concluded today at the RCC Secretariat in Sarajevo. The two-day event gathered representatives of education ministries from South East Europe.
The Working Group is tasked to come up with a module for future functioning of the Initiative, including its legal status, financing, internal rules, scope of activities, as well as the future seat of the ERI SEE Agency. Possible adjustment of the mandate of the ERI SEE is also envisaged, in light of the changed cooperation landscape and efforts in increasing regional ownership in the framework of the Regional Cooperation Council.
The participants agreed to inform their respective ministers on concrete possibilities for future development of regional cooperation in education reform. Conclusions of the Working Group will be presented at the next meeting of the ERI SEE Governing Board planned for 16-17 November 2009 in Zagreb.
Since its establishment in 2004, the Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe has supported sustainable education reforms through regional cooperation, and facilitated information transfer between the EU and the SEE region.
RCC, MARRI to promote rule of law principles in South East Europe
Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, and Director of the Migration, Asylum, Refugees Regional Initiative (MARRI), Trpe Stojanovski, signed today at the RCC Secretariat in Sarajevo a Memorandum of Understanding on development of an effective regional cooperation on issues of migration, asylum, refugee return, visa policies and border management.
The agreement is to enable cooperation in areas of common concern, in order to promote rule of law principles and strengthen regional cooperation in South East Europe (SEE). More specifically, it will support the efforts of the countries in SEE to respond to and identify the threats emanating from illegal migration and trafficking in human beings; sustain regional cooperation among migration, asylum, refugee, border and consular authorities; and foster collaboration in South East Europe based on shared policy approaches and strategies, transfer of knowledge, experience and best practices, mutual assistance, and implementation of international standards and principles.
Secretary General Biscevic and Director Stojanovski underlined the importance of providing continuous and unreserved support to the development and promotion of regional cooperation, which is also a key to a successful European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the region.
Senior Greek officials commend work of RCC and its Secretary General
The RCC Secretary General, Hido Biščević, held talks in Greece today with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yannis Valinakis, and the Ministry's Secretary General for European Affairs, Dimitrios Katsoudas. The officials discussed political developments in South East Europe and challenges in this respect.
RCC Secretary General Biscevic informed his Greek counterparts of the implementation of the organization's 2009-2010 Strategic Work Programme and discussed possible activities beyond 2010, primarily in identifying large-scale projects aimed at securing further economic and social development of the region. He briefed on preparations for a high-level conference to be organized by the Swedish EU Presidency and the European Commission, with active RCC role, in Brussels, in December 2009, focusing on the European perspective of the Western Balkans, economic crisis, regional cooperation and development projects in South East Europe.
Deputy Minister Valinakis and Secretary General Katsoudas expressed full support to the work of the RCC and its Secretary General, stressing their interest in the December conference and the importance of energy and infrastructure projects for the development of South East Europe.
First preparatory meeting on establishing South East European Firefighting Regional Center held in Sarajevo under RCC auspices
The first preparatory meeting on the establishment of the South East European Firefighting Regional Center (SEEFREC) was held at the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat in Sarajevo on 15-16 July 2009.
The participants, representing Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, the World Bank, the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR), the European Commission, the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE) and the RCC Secretariat, discussed operational aspects of the SEEFREC establishment and agreed on the future steps in this respect.
They elaborated on the structure, role and mandate of civil protection in disaster risk reduction for South East Europe (SEE) and invited other RCC members from the region to join SEEFREC.
The next meeting, to be hosted by Montenegro and prepared jointly with the RCC Secretariat in October 2009, will gather heads of national fire disaster management institutions from SEE and relevant international partners. It will finalize terms of reference for a comprehensive feasibility study on fire disasters and management needs in SEE.
The World Bank and the UN/ISDR confirmed they would seek financial support for the feasibility study and the workshops related to the establishment of SEEFREC.
RCC co-organized workshop on energy security held in Belgrade
A workshop “Energy Community and Regional Security”, co-organized by the Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat, with support of the Energy Community (EC) Secretariat, was held in Belgrade today.
The event focused on security of energy supplies and the role of Energy Community, climate change and national security, discussing EC Treaty as a legal basis, market developments within the EC, investments, energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and social dimensions of the EC.
The opening remarks were delivered by Chair of the parliamentary Committee on Industry of the Serbian Assembly, Milorad Buha; Senior RCC Expert on Infrastructure and Energy, Miroslav Kukobat; and Director of Energy Community Secretariat, Slavtcho Neykov.
The participants agreed on major challenges to be addressed in the energy sector: reaching cost-reflective energy tariffs to support new investments and energy efficiency measures, keeping regional approach, and promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy sources as the major tools to reach sustainable economic growth in the region. It was agreed to strengthen further contacts between the Serbian Assembly and the RCC and the EC Secretariats.
The workshop targeted members of parliament and parliamentary expert staff dealing with energy issues. It is the first in a series of events organized based on the conclusions of the regional workshop “Parliaments – Support to Harmonized Energy Reforms in South East Europe”, held in Sarajevo on 15 December 2008, in order to facilitate the lawmaking process and increase the ability of parliaments to oversee their governments in energy reform process.
More information on this event is available also at the websites of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and the Energy Community.
RCC Secretary General meets EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy
During a visit to Sarajevo today, the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, met with the RCC Secretary General, Hido Biscevic, to reiterate EU support to RCC activities.
High Representative Solana highlighted the importance of RCC work at this moment in time, when the region of South East Europe needs to take decisive steps in democratic reforms and towards European integration.
Secretary General Biscevic informed the EU High Representative of the first year of RCC operation, the constant support received by the EU, and the active cooperation established with the governments of the RCC members from South East Europe. He stressed the RCC engagement in promoting the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect, as well as in facilitating development projects in the region.
The two officials also discussed the upcoming RCC Annual Meeting in Chisinau, Moldova, on 4 June, which is to be held back-to-back with the Summit of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), and the December conference to be organized with the incomimg Swedish EU Presidency, focusing on regional development projects.
RCC Secretariat and CEI Executive Secretariat to strengthen cooperation
Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biščević, and Secretary General of the Central European Initiative Executive Secretariat (CEI-ES), Ambassador Pietro Ercole Ago, signed in Sarajevo today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that formalized cooperation between the two institutions.
The MoU will provide a general framework for enhancing project-oriented cooperation between the RCC Secretariat and the CEI-ES on issues of interest for South East Europe, transfer of know-how, seminars and training courses. It will enable the RCC Secretariat and the CEI-ES to carry out jointly a number of activities taking advantage of available funds and expertise, as well as assuring the best use of the existing cooperative network.
A joint “Sustainable Energy Development Regional Initiative – SEDRI” will be the first project launched within the cooperative framework defined by the MoU. The SEDRI is aimed at establishing a framework for cooperation as well as at supporting the elaboration of concrete actions and projects in sustainable energy development. The initiative is expected to improve legislative, institutional and regulatory frameworks and to promote the construction of small-scale sustainable energy facilities in South East and East Europe. It should contribute significantly to increasing energy efficiency and to promoting use of renewable energy sources in the region.
RCC Secretary General gains support of Swiss officials for RCC projects
The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, held consultations in Berne today with the Deputy State Secretary of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Pierre Helg, on cooperation among RCC members and upcoming projects in the organization’s priority areas of economic and social development, infrastructure and energy, justice and home affairs, security cooperation, building human capital, and parliamentary cooperation.
The two officials also discussed the situation in South East Europe. Secretary General Biscevic stressed three main messages he is conveying throughout the region: additional urgency that the countries of the region need to apply with reference to the EU integration, greater self-responsibility, and perseverance with reform projects connected to EU accession. He announced preparation of a high-level conference planned for December 2009, together with the upcoming Swedish EU Presidency, that would focus on stimulating development in the region.
Deputy State Secretary Helg commended the work and results of the RCC. He expressed his Government’s support to the RCC activities, especially in light of the announced December conference. He added that South East Europe is a priority region for Switzerland.
During his visit to the Swiss capital, the RCC Secretary General also met Assistant Director General and Head of Department for the Cooperation with Eastern Europe and CIS of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Therese Adam, and presented her with the upcoming and planned RCC projects. Adam expressed her full support to the work of the RCC and its Secretariat.
RCC Secretary General speaks to Council of Europe Development Bank officials
The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic met today in Paris with officials of the Council of Europe Development Bank, including the Bank’s Vice Governor Imre Tarafas, to explore the ways the two institutions can cooperate the best in the future.
The RCC Secretary General briefed Mr Tarafas and the Bank representatives in great details about the RCC’s work in the priority areas of economic and social development, infrastructure and energy, justice and home affairs, security cooperation, building human capital, and parliamentary cooperation.
Secretary General Biščević informed of RCC activities on establishing a cooperation mechanism among RCC Secretariat, RCC National Coordinators from South East Europe, the European Commission and relevant international financial institutions, aimed at stimulating development in the region.
Mr Tarafas expressed great interest in the work of the RCC, especially in relation to the cooperation mechanism and the organization’s social agenda in the areas of education and health. He stressed the Bank’s readiness for close cooperation with the RCC in these fields.
RCC Secretary General meets Hungarian officials over RCC priorities
The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic held consultations in Budapest today with State Secretary of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gabor Szentivanyi, and other ministry officials, on RCC work and Hungarian contribution to the activities of the organization.
Secretary General Biscevic spoke about the need for sharing experience between RCC members from South East Europe (SEE) and those from other parts of Europe, and proposed ways how Hungary, as an EU member, can contribute to keeping the EU attention on the SEE and accelerating the region’s European integration.
State Secretary Szentivanyi gave his country’s full support to the RCC work and stressed three important things for regional development – free movement of people, joint infrastructure projects among the SEE countries to better connect the countries of the region but also the region with the rest of Europe, and establishment of education institutions which would promote regional mobility of students.
The RCC Secretary General stressed the RCC role as the key EU interlocutor for development issues in SEE, and highlighted several quick-start projects the RCC has been finalizing, such as the establishment of the South East Europe Regional Fire-Fighting Centre and the Southeastern-Central Europe Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility, as well as a project to promote sustainable use and integrated management of the region's inland waterways.
RCC Secretary General holds consultations with Czech EU Presidency and delivers lecture at Prague Institute for International Relations
Within regular consultations with the EU Presidency, the RCC Secretary General, Hido Biscevic, met today with the First Czech Deputy Foreign Minister, Tomas Pojar, to discuss current situation in South East Europe (SEE) and cooperation between the RCC and the Presidency.
The two officials spoke about preparations by the RCC Secretariat and the Moldovan Chairmanship-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) for the RCC Annual Meeting on 4 June and the SEECP Summit on 5 June in Chisinau, especially in view of the current situation in Moldova, following the recent parliamentary elections.
They pointed to a need to show restraint and use diplomatic means in overcoming current difficulties. The two officials highlighted the importance of the Summit, especially at the present moment when the region is very much feeling effects of the economic crisis, which in turn can affect social and political situation in the region. They confirmed that all those interested in permanent stability and development in SEE should work towards diffusing the tensions.
Secretary General Biscevic also informed Mr Pojar of the initiative to launch a cooperation process among the countries of SEE on large scale development projects in the fields of energy, infrastructure and transport.
The Czech EU Presidency informed of the calendar of meetings and decisions expected to be taken by the end of June, including those related to the submitted Montenegrin and the expected Albanian applications for EU membership, as well as those linked to a visa liberalization regime for the Western Balkans.
The meeting touched upon a possibility for the Czech EU Presidency to provide support to the process of consultations among Bosnia and Herzegovina’s political leaders, especially in light of a recent visit to Sarajevo of Czech Foreign Minister and current President of the EU Council Karel Schwarzenberg, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, and Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt.
During the visit to Prague, the RCC Secretary General also held a lecture “South East Europe at the Crossroads: Facing Future Challenges Together” at the Institute for International Relations.
RCC Secretary General holds consultations with 2010 Spanish EU presidency
The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic met in Madrid today with the Secretary of State for Europe at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diego López Garrido, and other high-level officials of the Ministry, for consultations on RCC activities and the role of Spain as a future EU presidency holder.
Secretary General Biscevic outlined the RCC activities in the priority areas of economic and social development, infrastructure and energy, justice and home affairs, security cooperation, building human capital and parliamentary cooperation.
State Secretary López Garrido expressed full support of his government to the RCC work and underlined that Spain recognized negative impacts of the current financial crisis on South East Europe. In that context, it was stressed that development of large scale regional projects, in the areas such as transport infrastructure, energy and use of inland waterways, would be an important stimulus to the region in countering the crisis effects.
Mr López Garrido said that Spain would build on the conclusions and results of its predecessor, the Swedish EU presidency, and assured of a continued engagement of his country with the region of South East Europe.
RCC National Coordinators from South East Europe meet in Sarajevo
National Coordinators from RCC members from South East Europe (SEE) held their first meeting in 2009 in Sarajevo today, to discuss the most recent RCC activities.
The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic informed the Coordinators about his contacts with the EU and the European Commission in particular, in light of the current economic and financial situation and implications for SEE. The need for a more coherent and coordinated approach to the crisis was strongly emphasized.
The Coordinators reviewed future steps in the process of networking between the RCC members from SEE and the RCC Secretariat, with the participation of the European Commission and relevant international financial institutions, aimed at identifying and developing possible concrete cooperation projects in the five priority areas of RCC activities.
They also continued talks on regional cooperation priorities and the level of harmonization of national activities and strategies with the RCC Strategic Work Programme 2008-2009 as well as with the EU’s Multi-beneficiary IPA Programme 2008 priorities.
The Coordinators worked to identify possible specific cooperation areas and to develop concrete projects within the RCC framework, including regional responses to the international financial crisis and a proposal for establishing South East Europe Investment Bank (SEEIB).
RCC leadership discusses European perspective of South East Europe, at a regional meeting in Belgrade
The “European Perspective of South East Europe (SEE) in the Time of Challenges: Dealing with Economic and Energy Crisis” was the topic of a regional meeting held in Belgrade, on 2-3 February 2009.
The meeting, hosted by the Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bozidar Djelic, discussed SEE perspective of the EU Enlargement policy in light of the economic and energy crisis and the forthcoming European elections, as well as regional cooperation throughout the European integration process, including both the individual approach to meeting membership criteria and joint approach towards the EU in representing regional interests.
The participants included high government officials from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, as well as RCC Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General, Hido Biscevic and Jelica Minic, respectively.
More information on the meeting can be found HERE.
RCC Secretary General meets Chair of BiH Council of Ministers over investment initiative
The RCC Secretary General, Hido Biscevic, met today the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nikola Spiric, to discuss investment possibilities in South East Europe.
Chairman Spiric presented an initiative to establish the South East European Investment Bank, which would focus on increasing competitiveness in the region through financing specific regional projects in the area of infrastructure, energy and entrepreneurship.
The two officials agreed that, in view of the current economic crisis, such an initiative could provide a new channel of cooperation, enhancing regional development and contributing to an accelerated EU integration processes.
The RCC Secretary General agreed to bring the idea to the attention of RCC members and the European Commission.
Chair of EP Delegation for Relations with the Countries of South East Europe visits RCC Secretariat
The Chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with the Countries of South East Europe, Doris Pack, met today with the RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic at the premises of the RCC Secretariat in Sarajevo.
Secretary General Biscevic informed Chairwoman Pack of the Secretariat’s activities in the priority areas of economic and social development, infrastructure and energy, justice and home affairs, security cooperation, building human capital and parliamentary cooperation.
Doris Pack expressed interest in the RCC Secretariat’s work, especially when it comes to parliamentary cooperation, and in learning more about the activities of the Sofia-based Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Cooperation in South East Europe. She positively assessed the RCC efforts to raise awareness at the level of parliaments of the key priority areas in South East Europe, such as energy, education and environmental protection.
RCC Secretary General takes part in 16th OSCE Ministerial Meeting
The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic participated at the 16th Ministerial Council Meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) that took place in Helsinki on 4-5 December 2008.
He informed the meeting participants of RCC priorities, structure of the RCC Secretariat as well as ongoing projects of the organization, and proposed that the RCC and OSCE explore the possibilities for strengthening cooperation.
Ministers, representatives of international organisations and other high officials reviewed the current situation and perspectives of international relations in the field of democratisation, human rights, rule of law and other priority areas of the OSCE. Participants paid special attention to possible effects of the current financial and economic crisis on political stability of Europe as well as implications of new and residual crisis issues in Europe and Eurasia on present security and stability order.
Discussion on the future of the European security architecture took place and the participants underlined the need of the OSCE to reposition itself in the fundamentally changed world.
RCC Secretary General discusses organization’s activities with Irish officials
The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic received support of the Irish Government to the work of the RCC Secretariat at a consultative meeting held with representatives of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs on 20 November 2008.
During the talks, Secretary General Biscevic expressed strongest interest of Southeast European countries in EU resolving its present institutional issues in order to ensure the European perspective for all Southeast European countries.
He informed of a networking mechanism designed by the RCC Secretariat in support of development-oriented projects in Southeast Europe. It comprises RCC members from Southeast Europe, the European Commission, international financial institutions and RCC experts.
The RCC Secretary General also delivered a keynote address on development, synergy and challenges in Southeast Europe at the Institute of European Affairs in Dublin, on 21 November 2008.
RCC Secretary General holds consultations with UK officials
The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic met today in London with the Director of the Western Balkans at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Daniel Fearn, and other FCO officials, for consultations regarding the activities of the RCC Secretariat.
Mr Fearn expressed satisfaction with the RCC Secretariat’s work and underlined Great Britain’s full support to its continued efforts in fostering regional cooperation and European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
Secretary General Biscevic informed Mr Fearn of the RCC activities currently underway, including the projects of establishing the South East Europe Regional Fire-Fighting Centre and the Southeastern-Central Europe Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility, and the planned conferences on better use of inland waterways and improvement of air connectivity in Southeast Europe.
The RCC Secretary General highlighted the organization’s role in preparing regional projects to be financed through the EU Multi-beneficiary IPA Programme and informed of the networking mechanism between the Secretariat, the RCC members from Southeast Europe, the European Commission and international financial institutions aimed at maximizing regional development potential.
RCC National Coordinators from Southeast Europe meet in Sarajevo
The RCC National Coordinators from Southeast Europe met in Sarajevo today to discuss the regional cooperation priorities and level of harmonization of national activities and strategies with the RCC Strategic Work Programme 2008-2009 as well as with the Multi-beneficiary IPA Programme 2008 priorities.
The meeting participants received an update from the RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic on the most recent activities of the organization, including continuation of political consultations with RCC members, further cooperation with the European Commission and the quick-start projects currently being developed with international partners. These projects aim at establishing a Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility and a Regional Firefighting Centre, as well as organizing conferences on better use of inland waterways and on improvement of air transport network in Southeast Europe.
RCC Secretary General takes part in World Economic Forum on Europe and Central Asia
The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic participated in the work of the World Economic Forum on Europe and Central Asia, which concluded in Istanbul today.
Secretary General Biscevic spoke at the “Lisbon Goes East” session and informed the Forum participants of RCC priorities, focusing on regional development projects and activities in the sphere of economic and social development, energy and infrastructure.
The Forum discussed present economic and financial situation in the world and issues such as EU enlargement, energy security, regional competitiveness, global economic outlook and business risk in the region.
Secretary General Biscevic held a separate meeting with Børge Brende, World Economic Forum's Managing Director for Governments, Regional Activities and Constituents.
Montenegro signs SEECP charter on good neighborly relations
Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic signed today in Bucharest the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Charter on Good Neighborly Relations, Stability, Security and Cooperation in Souheastern Europe, thus fully formalizing Montenegro’s participation in the SEECP.
The RCC is an operational arm of the SEECP. Its Secretariat supports the SEECP in the preparation and implementation of decisions of SEECP Summits and/or Ministerial meetings.
RCC Secretary General moderates Crans Montana Forum session on EU enlargement and regional cooperation
The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic moderated the plenary session of Crans Montana Forum in Sarajevo on 8 October 2008, dedicated to the European enlargement and regional cooperation.
Secretary General Biscevic highlighted that the topics of the Forum matched to a great extent the priorities of the RCC Secretariat, especially in the fields of energy, infrastructure, and economic and social development.
He pointed out the importance of such an event taking place in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as an impetus to further development in the region and an excellent opportunity to foster cooperation and networking among the countries of Southeast Europe, business leaders from Europe and the world, European political leaders and representatives of international organizations.
RCC Board met in Sarajevo on 6 October
The 29 members of the RCC Board met for the first time at the premises of the RCC Secretariat in Sarajevo on 6 October 2008.
The Board reviewed activities of the RCC Secretariat in the period May-October 2008, in light of the quarterly report of the RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic, and discussed future activities and projects within the RCC framework.
The RCC Board provides the organization with operational guidance and supervision. It consists of those RCC members contributing to the budget of the RCC Secretariat as well as the European Union, represented by the Troika, consisting of the EU Presidency, the European Commission and the EU Council Secretariat.
The Board meets quarterly, at the level of RCC National Coordinators, which are Senior Civil Servants in each RCC member responsible for co-ordination of RCC relevant issues within their respective national administration. It is chaired by the RCC Secretary General.
SEE Heads of Government meet in Salzburg
The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic participated in the annual informal meeting of Heads of Government of Southeast European (SEE) countries organized by the Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer in Salzburg on 27 July 2008.
The Prime Ministers from six SEE countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro and Serbia) discussed key regional issues, including economic cooperation and effects of global energy crisis and climate changes on the region.
Secretary General Biscevic highlighted RCC priorities in the areas of economic and social development, infrastructure and energy, justice and home affairs, security cooperation and building human capital. He requested that the role of RCC National Coordinators from SEE be reinforced, as such a mechanism would strengthen cooperation in the priority areas. The Secretary General also informed of the present state of play of RCC networking with the European Commission and international financial institutions.
The participants hailed the arrest of the ICTY fugitive Radovan Karadzic and reiterated that European integration was the joint strategic goal of the region. Chancellor Gusenbaur stressed that EU enlargement to SEE had no alternative and that Austria would continue to be its strong advocate.
RCC National Coordinators from SEE hold first meeting in Sarajevo
The 30 June 2008 meeting at the premises of the RCC Secretariat in Sarajevo assessed the level of harmonization of national activities and strategies with the 2008-2009 RCC Strategic Work Programme, and with the priorities of the 2008 Multi-beneficiary Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) Programme of the European Commission.
The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic and experts of the organization informed the participants of RCC activities and cooperation with the European Commission, international financial institutions and other international organizations.
The participants agreed to work jointly on RCC visibility in the region, as well as on coordination and networking to make the regional cooperation more effective and prevent overlapping among various regional initiatives.
RCC Board adopts the organization’s 2008-2009 Strategic Work Programme
On 20 May 2008 in Pomorie, Bulgaria, the RCC Board adopted a report by the RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic on transformation of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe into the Regional Cooperation Council, as well as the RCC Strategic Work Programme for 2008-2009 and the appointments to the positions in the RCC Secretariat.
The RCC strategy was also approved by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the South-East European Co-operation Process (SEECP) on 20 May and endorsed by the SEECP Heads of State and Government on 21 May.
Three-day SEECP summit events start in Pomorie, Bulgaria
On 19 May 2008, the political directors of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) are meeting in Pomorie, Bulgaria, to prepare for the Ministerial and Summit meetings on 20 and 21 May.
At the same time, on 20 May, the RCC Board is expected to adopt a report by the RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic on transformation of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe into the Regional Cooperation Council, as well as the RCC Strategic Work Programme for 2008-2009 and the appointments to the positions in the RCC Secretariat.
The SEECP Summit is also expected to discuss the political situation in South Eastern Europe.
RCC work and staff presented to the public
On 28 April 2008, the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biščević, presented the media with RCC priorities, staff and premises. The event was also attended by the Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, Erhard Busek.
Biščević and Busek stressed that the RCC establishment represented a historical step forward for the countries of the region, as they for the first time took ownership and leadership of regional cooperation into their own hands.
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