RCC Secretary General takes part at the EU-WB Foreign Ministers Meeting 

Tirana – “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 – when the EU-Western Balkans roaming reductions came into effect. A demonstration of commitments made and pledges upkept. 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,” said Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Majlinda Bregu, at the WB-EU ministerial meeting, organised within the Berlin Process by the Albanian Government in Tirana today. 

“This is just one flagship that came out of the Common Regional Market. For us it means a lot, as it gives sense to the regional cooperation. Whenever we want to deliver something that is tangible for citizens, and we work towards it together, than good things can happen. Strong efforts have been invested in order to expand the set of professions covered under the first landmark mobility agreement on recognition of professional qualifications in our region. Last year in Berlin, we signed the first set of these agreements, and now, at least from the side of the RCC, the second set, the new four professions that are to be recognised is ready to be endorsed on 16 October, at the Summit,” added Bregu.  

The meeting gathered Ministers of Foreign Affairs from the region and EU, including the German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, to discuss the geopolitical situation, challenges and opportunities ahead, strengthening economic and regional cooperation and advancing the EU integration of the region. 

“Our region is not where we wanted and should be and unfortunately, friction persists, and conflicts can hinder investments and economic growth and can spill over on the process of regional cooperation. This is a call to the Western Balkans to do its part. It is a relentless work, there is a great deal of work for the region, and the Western Balkans has to do it, but sometimes it doesn’t. This has to change sooner rather than later, because making the enlargement credible both for the region and the EU lies ahead of us, with keys in our hands,” concluded Bregu. 

The meeting precedes the Berlin Process Leaders’ Summit that is to take place in 10 days in Albanian capital, which is the first of the region’s capital to host the Summit.  
  
More information on the EU-WB roaming prices reduction 
Full speech by RCC Secretary General