CRM Documents and Publications
Speech by RCC Secretary General at the Berlin Process Summit
14 OCTOBER 2024 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu spoke at the 10th Berlin process Summit held on 14 October in Berlin.
Bregu highlighed progress and challenges faced over the past decade in fostering regional cooperation in the Western Balkans. She reflected on the four main objectives of the Berlin Process: addressing bilateral issues, reconciliation, enhancing economic cooperation, and promoting sustainable growth. While Bregu acknowledged that resolving bilateral issues remains difficult, she emphasized the success of initiatives like the Green Lanes, increased trade, and mutual recognition of professional qualifications.
RCC Secretary General also marked her final Summit as RCC Secretary General and expressed pride in the region's strides toward EU integration while stressing the importance of the Common Regional Market in uniting the region and shaping a shared European future.
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Speech by RCC Secretary General at the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Berlin Process, 1 October 2024, Berlin
01 OCTOBER 2024 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu spoke at the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Berlin on 1 O ctober 2024.
Among other things, Bregu said: "There is room for everyone to do more. We all need more integration than disintegration; we all need more cooperation than isolation; we all need more togetherness not in words but in actions; we need better planning and sustainable financial instruments as part of the new gradual accession of WB into the EU, we need a Growth mind-set, not only a Growth Plan. This is a collective journey if we want to drive real lasting change. Cooperation is not a choice but a must! We owe it to ourselves and to the future generations."
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Opening speech by RCC Secretary General at the Western Balkans Civil Society High-Level Conference
24 MAY 2024 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu opened Civil Society High Level Conference, dubbed Continuing the success story of EU enlargement – Bringing benefits to the Western Balkans in advance of accession, organized by EESC in Ljubljana, Slovenia on 24 May 2024.
Among other things Bregu said: "Under the weight of various consecutive crises the EU’s “cold feet” were often met with our region’s reform fatigue and unconvincing reform records, creating a lot of vicious instead of virtuos circles. Until the aspirations of around 18 million citizens for a stronger Union that can be more, with Western Balkans firmly in its fold, materialise, the Common Regional Market (CRM) is bringing the region closer together, and to the EU Single Market, both fast-tracking the much-needed convergence between the WB and EU. This is where RCC is putting its undivided focus. But we're running against the clock and concrete impacts and more sizeable investments must be felt on the ground as soon as possible,"
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Speech by RCC Secretary General at the Regional Summit on Growth and Convergence Plan
29 FEBRUARY 2024 | SPEECH
Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Majlinda Bregu spoke at the Speech by RCC Secretary General at the Regional Summit on Growth and Convergence Plan in Tirana on 29 February 2024.
Bregu said: ""The time is ticking on defining the future of our region that is working in two parallel streams right now. The first is the work on national reform agendas advancing the path to the EU, and the second is deepening regional economic integration among themselves, which is a stepping stone to accessing the EU Single Market. The first one has a clearly set path by the EU, while the second one is a work in progress and the new phase of the Common Regional Market (CRM) Action Plan, we are currently preparing in cooperation with all regional partners, is aimed at establishing a functional CRM within the Western Balkans, as a pre-condition for closer integration with the EU Single Market,"
Full speech is below.
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Speech by RCC Secretary General at EU-WB Summit
13 DECEMBER 2023 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu addressed the EU-WB Summit which took place on 13 December in Brussels.
"One year after the EU-WB Summit in Tirana, we feel that the pace and sense of heightened urgency for reforms and regional cooperation on the side of the region, and for institutional and budgetary preparedness of an EU fit for enlargement, is more palpable. Deepening our economic integration and continuing to build on the policies aligning us more with the EU is always valuable. A true and fully functional Common Regional Market, unhindered by regional disputes, can be our vessel to the EU Single Market, which, in all likelihood, will be our future prospect,” said RCC Secretary General, Majlinda Bregu at the Summit.
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RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu speech at the Berlin Process Summit, on 16 October 2023 in Tirana
16 OCTOBER 2023 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu spoke at the Berlin Process Summit, which for the first time took place in the region, in Tirana on 16 Octber 2023.
"The concerted efforts we put towards mutual recognition of a new set of professions, which now amount to 7 in total, fully based on EU rules – is another symbolic entry ticket to the single market as it can be a crucial step towards recognition of professional qualifications with the EU. It remains imperative though that there are no implementation and enforcement gaps and that the signatures of the agreements are promptly followed by entry into force so that the benefits reach those intended for – our citizens, said Bregu.
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Speech by RCC Secretary General at the first Local Self-Governments Forum
12 OCTOBER 2023 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu opened the first Local Self-Governments Forum Unlocking the Future: Innovate, Eco-vate, Elevate - Western Balkans Unite for Smart Cities in Tirana on 12 October 2023.
"For the first time in history, the majority of world's people are living in cities. Growing cities face enormous challenges, worsen the most common headaches of city life, such as traffic jams, overcrowded buses, trams, air pollution. Overpopulated cities can also strain vital services, including water supply, energy production, waste management, stress the citizens who cannot afford to buy a new apartment and so on and so forth.
Said this, the other side of the coin is true: cities are increasingly becoming incubators of change and drivers of innovation."
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Speech by the RCC Secretary General at the Berlin Process Foreign Ministers Meeting
06 OCTOBER 2023 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu spoke at the RCC Secretary General at the EU-WB Foreign Ministers Meeting organised within the Berlin Process by the Albanian Government in Tirana on 6 October 2023.
Bregu took part at the first session together with Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, European Commission, Pascual Navarro Ríos, State Secretary for the European Union, Angelina Eichhorst, Managing Director for Europe at the European External Action Service and Albert Hani, Secretary General, Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO).
"A success story of EU-rules based regional cooperation and a symbolic entry ticket to EU single market saw the light of the day on 1 October this year – when the EU-WB roaming reductions came into effect. It was a demonstration of commitments made and pledges kept. Against a very difficult backdrop in our region currently, this 1 October we managed all together, in close partnership and cooperation with the European Commission, and under the political guidance and support of the European Union and with the support of 38 telecom operators, to see the first roaming charges reductions between European Union and Western Balkans. It might look like an achievement that has been there. After long processes and expectations, people start to take things for granted, but all of us here working on the Common Regional Market Action Plan know how hard it can be. We know how difficult it is to come to a conclusion, and have a success story, " said Bregu among other things.
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RCC Secretary General at WBDS 2023
04 OCTOBER 2023 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General took part at the opening ceremony at the 6th Western Balkans Digital Summit (WBDS) on 4 October 2023, together with included Edin Forto, Minister of Communications and Transport of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Oliver Varhelyi, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Roberto Viola, Director General of DG Connect, Stefan Schnorr, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (Berlin), Steliana Nedera, UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS, Istanbul Regional Hub Director, and Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
"As the Digital Summit concludes its journey across all Western Balkan economies, marking the last event in this format, we must now aim higher for accelerated digital connectivity and accessibility in the region. By working on digitally transformed, yet inclusive Western Balkans – stronger together, we are sewing important parts of threads intricately woven into the fabrics of the Europeanisation of our region. It is a path towards more connected, accessible, and affordable future for all that we in RCC are fully committed and dedicated to. Our all-inclusive convening role, facilitation and expert capacities will remain a key backing on the challenging digitisation journey ahead," said Bregu among other things.
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Speech by the RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu at the Berlin Process Forum of Economic Ministers
26 SEPTEMBER 2023 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu spoke at the Berlin Process Forum of Economic Ministers: “Common Regional Market - A Stepping stone towards the EU Single Market on 26 September 2023 in Tirana.
"A human-centric Europe, that is adapted, reformed, rebooted and more - with Western Balkans firmly in its fold - is the best investment in peace and security for the entire continent! The Western Balkans has made significant progress in the last two decades, but we are not where we wanted and should be and unfortunately, friction amongst countries persists, and conflicts can hinder investments and economic growth in the region,” said Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Majlinda Bregu, among other things.
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Speech by RCC Secretary General at the EU - Western Balkans Summit in Tirana
06 DECEMBER 2022 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu spoke at the EU - Western Balkans Summit organised in Tirana on 6 December 2022.
“The first question we were asked after the Roam Like at Home has come to action last July, was when the roaming prices with the EU will be lowered. And that is the first thing we have started working on after that 1 July. So, I’m happy to say that ‘when’ has arrived, the roaming prices between the Western Balkans and the European Union are going down with the leaves next fall. But this is just the start of the process until the final objective of EU-WB roaming prices at the level nearing domestic ones is attained in 2027,” said Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Majlinda Bregu at a press conference with Albanian Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, EU Enlargement Commissioner, Oliver Varhelyi, EU and WB telecommunications operators’ representatives, following the signing of the Declaration.
Speech by RCC Secretary General at the Western Balkans Berlin Summit
03 NOVEMBER 2022 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu spoke at the Western Balkans Berlin Summit, organised within the Berlin Process in German capital on 3 November 2022.
“Though written off as nearly impossible, after trying and nerve-racking two years, the three RCC-coordinated centrepiece mobility agreements finally see the light of day. Today they reach those intended for - our citizens! Much like the ubiquitous impact of the regional roaming agreement and the green lanes, their manifested impact on the ground will be direct and concrete. ” said Majlinda Bregu, RCC Secretary General at the Summit
Speech by RCC Secretary General at the WB-EU ministerial meeting, organised within the Berlin Process
21 OCTOBER 2022 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu spoke at the WB-EU ministerial meeting, organised within the Berlin Process in German capital on 21 October 2022.
“We proudly today showcase that all-inclusive regional cooperation and Common Regional Market deliver results. That the region has agreed on three RCC-coordinated centrepiece mobility agreements whose implementation, much like with the green lanes and regional roaming agreement, will very soon bring their own manifested impact on the ground,” said Majlinda Bregu, RCC Secretary General at the meeting, announcing that the Western Balkans Foreign Ministers approved three regional agreements - on Freedom of Movement with Identity Cards, on Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications, and on Recognition of Professional Qualifications for Doctors of Medicine, Dentists and Architects.
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Speech by the RCC Secretary General at Western Balkans Digital Summit 2022
21 SEPTEMBER 2022 | VIDEO INTERVIEW
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu spoke at the opening of the Western Balkans Digital Summit 2022 which took place in Pristina on 21-22 September 2022.
"Digitalisation in our region has its two sides of the coin. On one hand there have been great broadband connectivity strides, such as Roam Like at Home in the Western Balkans, and massive spread and uptake of e-services. On the other hand, our region is recently struggling with serious cyber-attacks. Our digital literacy is still low, as is the level of cross-border interoperability. Disinformation and fake news flourish. So, the region needs more cooperation, not less." , said Bregu among other things.
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Opening remarks by the RCC secretary General Majlinda Bregu at the ministerial conference on “Lifting Barriers for Sustainable Tourism Development in the Western Balkans"
12 MAY 2022 | SPEECH
Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) opened the ministerial conference on “Lifting Barriers for Sustainable Tourism Development in the Western Balkans", held in Tirana on 12 May 2022
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Talking Points by Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Majlinda Bregu at the First Annual Conference of the Ministry of Finance “Economic Recovery and Growth Beyond Covid”
06 SEPTEMBER 2021 | SPEECH
Talking Points by Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu at the panel on Global and Regional Challenges and Prospects of Recovery and Growth at the First Annual Conference of the Ministry of Finance “Economic Recovery and Growth Beyond Covid”, held in Skopje on 6 September 2021
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Talking Points by Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Majlinda Bregu at 2021 Prespa Forum Dialogue
02 JULY 2021 | SPEECH
Talking Points by Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu at the High-Level Plenary Session “Resetting the EU-US Synergy towards the Western Balkans” within the 2021 Prespa Forum Dialogue, in Ohrid, North Macedonia, on 2 July 2021.
Secretary General Bregu was accompanied by Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, Turkish Minister of Foreign affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Kosovo's* Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Minister of Foreign Affairs from Poland Zbigniew Rau, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Schallenberg and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zoran Tegeltija. Keynote speaker of the Session was North Macedonia's Prime Minister Zoran Zaev.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence
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Meeting of the Ministers of Foregn Affairs within the Berlin Process’s Western Balkan Summit, speech by RCC Secretary General
08 JUNE 2021 | SPEECH
Speech by the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu at the Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs within the Berlin Process’s Western Balkan Summit, on 8 June 2021.
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5th Ministerial Meeting on Environment and Climate Action in the Western Balkans - Introductory remarks by RCC SG
18 DECEMBER 2020 | SPEECH
Intruductory remarks by the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu on the occasion of the 5th Ministerial Meeting on Environment and Climate Action in the Western Balkans, held online on 18 December 2020
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Speech of the Secretary General at the Western Balkans Sofia Summit on 10 November 2020
10 NOVEMBER 2020 | SPEECH
Speech of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu on the occasion of the Western Balkans Sofia Summir, held on 10 November 2020 in online format.
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RCC SG speech at the Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs within the Berlin Process
09 NOVEMBER 2020 | SPEECH
Introductory remarks by the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu on the occasion of the Berlin Process ministerial conference, held on 9 November 2020 in online format.
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RCC Secretary General speech at the Western Balkans Digital Summit 2020 Ministerial Meeting
02 NOVEMBER 2020 | SPEECH
Introductory remarks by the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu on the occasion of the Western Balkans Digital Summit 2020 Ministerial Meeting, held in Tirana on 2 November 2020
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RCC SG speech at the Ministerial Meeting on Roma Integration
27 OCTOBER 2020 | SPEECH
Introductory remarks by the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu on the occasion of the Ministerial Meeting on Roma Integration, held in Tirana on 27 October 2020
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Opening remarks of the RCC Secretary General at the Western Balkans Digital Summit 2020
26 OCTOBER 2020 | SPEECH
Speech of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu at the opening of the 3rd Western Balkans Digital Summit 2020 in Tirana on 26 October 2020
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RCC Secretary General speech at the Berlin Process Interior Ministers' Meeting
16 OCTOBER 2020 | SPEECH
Speech by the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu at the Berlin Process Interior Ministers' Meeting held on 16 October 2020
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