RCC Secretary General Addresses COWEB in Brussels

Brussels – In her final address as the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) to COWEB on the Western Balkans region in Brussels today, Majlinda Bregu thanked the participants for their unwavering cooperation and dedication to advancing the Western Balkans on the path towards European Union membership.

“This is my last meeting at COWEB in the capacity of RCC Secretary General, and I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your support and hard work in pushing forward the EU integration agenda of the Western Balkans. Over the past decade, the region has made gradual steps forward, even as bilateral issues remained a challenge and gaps persisted between signing and implementing agreements under the Berlin Process,” said Bregu.

Highlighting progress in regional cooperation, Bregu noted a significant rise in trust, which increased to 82% today. This trust reflects tangible achievements in socio-economic cooperation across the region. Among the milestones, she underscored:

Green Lanes introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic have now become a reality, significantly reducing border waiting times.
Intra-regional trade has doubled in volume.
Roaming charges within the region have been eliminated, and roaming costs between the EU and Western Balkans have been substantially reduced.

Mobility agreements, including the five signed under the Berlin Process, have facilitated increased mobility for students, workers, and citizens. Nearly 30 million people have travelled within the region using ID cards alone.
Bregu emphasized that the recently signed Common Regional Market (CRM) Action Plan at the Berlin Process Summit will further expand regional cooperation and lay the groundwork for integration into the EU Single Market.

“This new CRM Action Plan represents a stepping stone towards deeper regional integration and closer alignment with the EU. It is my hope that, moving forward, we can work without blockages by one or two participants and continue building on this momentum,” Bregu said.

As the region prepares for the EU-Western Balkans Summit next week, Bregu expressed optimism that the alignment of efforts and opportunities could bring the Western Balkans closer to embracing the mindset of EU membership.

“All of this brings us closer to the mindset of what it truly means to be a member of the European Union. And this moment, when all the stars are aligned, is the right time for decisive action,” she concluded.

The COWEB meeting gathered representatives of EU member states, European Commission and European External Action Service to discuss current developments, achievements, and ongoing challenges in the Western Balkans. It served as a prelude to the upcoming EU-Western Balkans Summit, which will further shape the region's European future. The meeting participants commended the RCC for its achievements on the regional agendas over the past six years, praising the organisation’s consistent efforts in promoting regional cooperation and its success in effectively communicating the EU’s commitment to improving the lives of citizens in the region.