07 November 2024 | News

Bregu: Our commitment to building a resilient, adaptive, and forward-looking security framework is a must

Sarajevo - The 9th Regional Security Coordination Conference dubbed “Working Together in Times of Global Uncertainties”, organised by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy and Ministry of Interior of Italy, opened today in Sarajevo.   

14 November 2023 | News

Bregu: Brain Drain is Becoming not just Human Capital but Security Issue Too

Rome - "Migration is becoming one of the biggest problems of today, because countries are emptying. Not just those that result in the inflow of migrants to our region, but also because of the emigration from our region further to the west. Hence, the term of security challenges is dramatically changing. Security challenge is not just conflict resolution or prevention but it is also climate ...

26 September 2023 | News

Bregu: A human-centric Europe, with Western Balkans firmly in its fold, is the best investment in peace and security for the entire continent

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 ...

21 September 2023 | News

Bregu: When global institutions and frameworks are stretched thin, regional bodies can step in to provide stability, continuity, and direction

New York - "The Western Balkans has made significant progress in the last two decades, but the Western Balkans is not where its inhabitants or outside peacemakers hoped we would be twenty-plus years after the guns went largely quiet. Unfortunately, friction amongst economies persists, and conflicts can hinder investments and economic growth in the region. Having in mind this and the ...

15 September 2023 | News

Bregu: Western Balkans faces security challenges daily

Tirana – “As a region where geopolitical and strategic interests compete, Western Balkans faces security challenges daily, and the aggression against Ukraine didn’t make it any easier on us. According to Western Balkan citizens, their perception of security has been strongly affected by crime in general - organised crime in particular, as well as drugs and human trafficking, ...

29 June 2023 | News

Bregu: Regional approach to cybersecurity, in line with EU standards, is a must

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), in cooperation with DG NEAR, organised a two-day high-level conference on cybersecurity in the Western Balkans, on 28-29 June 2023 in Brussels. 

23 June 2023 | News

Kapetanovic: With already 334 victims of firearms in 2023 in our region, it is high time to reduce its supply, demand and misuse

Tirana – “The widespread proliferation and misuse of firearms poses a great threat to our societies. Only in the first quarter of 2023, 821 firearm incidents were reported in South East Europe, resulting in 334 victims. Our 2022 SecuriMeter survey indicates that 12% of Western Balkans citizens would consider owning a gun, which is twice as much compared to 2021. On the other hand, ...

29 April 2023 | News

BREGU: There is a price to pay for speaking the truth - how much are we willing to spend in “killing the fake news”?

Disinformation is false information deliberately and often covertly spread, such as through the planting of rumors, in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth. Fake news spreads six times faster than true news. 

20 April 2023 | News

RCC gathers key Western Balkan stakeholders for a workshop on media literacy and countering hybrid threats and disinformation

Helsinki - The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), in partnership with the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE) and with support from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, gathered 20 key Western Balkan stakeholders  - government, institutions, media, media regulatory authorities from the Western Balkans and civil society ...

15 March 2023 | News

Bregu: Continued all-inclusive regional cooperation remains key in strengthening economic resilience of Western Balkans

Sarajevo – “External risks arising from the current geopolitical crisis and the rise in commodity prices reinforce the purpose of the Common Regional Market agenda. Continued all-inclusive regional cooperation remains the key towards strengthening economic resilience of the Western Balkans,” said Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Majlinda Bregu, ...

17 February 2023 | News

Bregu: Western Balkans is an important piece of the European security and stability puzzle

The annual 59th Munich Security Conference (MSC) started in Munich today gathering world leaders to discuss topics of global security, defence, technology, and sustainability while keeping the focus on the still ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Alongside many world and European leaders, the MSC was attended by Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor, Emanuel Macron, French President, Volodymyr ...

18 November 2022 | News

Bregu: 82.9% of Western Balkan citizens agree that regional cooperation can help in improving economic resilience

Rome/Sarajevo – “The EU and the Western Balkans share many evolving, borderless security threats, from radicalisation, violent extremism, and return of Foreign Terrorist Fighters to irregular migration, organised crime, corruption, disinformation and cyber-attacks. Such joint priorities have been re-validated by the war in Ukraine by also making clear the important role of the Western ...

24 September 2022 | News

RCC co-organises SEECP foreign ministers' meeting in New York

New York – "Entire South East Europe finds itself facing similar challenges and similar opportunities, from energy security to food crisis, and regional cooperation is the key for them in the period to follow," said Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), at the meeting of the South East Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP) foreign ministers, ...

21 September 2022 | News

Bregu: Digitalisation necessitates an intergenerational approach

Pristina – “Today is a great day for Pristina.  It is the centre of gravity of one of the greatest Berlin Process initiatives – the Western Balkans Digital Summit. Pristina today bursts and radiates with the dynamism of so many start-ups, companies, experts and policy makers – all united in their drive to harness the potentials of digitisation for our region’s ...

24 June 2022 | News

Bregu: Support of Western Balkan citizens to regional cooperation remains stable at 76%

Brussels – “While many things change, our public and business perceptions surveys remain a truthful source of sentiments across the region. At times, the results surprise us, sometimes they serve as a wake-up call, while on other occasions they confirm that our efforts are not in vain as citizens and businesses feel the benefits of our work. 76% of Western Balkan citizens find ...

01 June 2022 | News

Kapetanovic: Disinformation is neither an overnight phenomenon nor can it have an overnight solution

Sarajevo - The Western Balkans has unfortunately always been susceptible to divisive narratives that always bring along hatred and violence. As the events unravel it is our constant responsibility to cultivate understanding and awareness of this phenomenon in our region. Good news is that the Western Balkan citizens have understood a detrimental potential of disinformation – as 74% ...

18 May 2022 | News

Bregu: With slowed growth & inflation, higher energy & food prices, Western Balkans will have to amp-up regional cooperation

Sarajevo - It is very difficult to sugar-coat the severity of economic effects of the war on the Western Balkans. It is equally difficult to accurately predict the true and longer-term impact, or to identify the opportunities for the region along the way. Our realities today are drastically different, with the war in Ukraine sending shockwaves and exacerbating two trends that were already ...

16 March 2022 | News

Bregu: European perspective important for socio-economic progress, but also for security and stability

Sarajevo/Tirana – “The times we are living in are not glamorous, on the contrary these are dark moments. We are all heartened and deeply saddened by the unjust war Ukrainian people are going through. The economic impact of the war stretches beyond Ukraine's borders. Concern is present in the Western Balkans, as the geopolitical and economic problems make our region sensitive ...

20 February 2022 | News

Bregu: Western Balkans’ growth potential can be unlocked only through regional economic integration

Munich – “European integration and transatlantic cooperation should not look decoupled in the Western Balkans (WB). It’s high time to put the process of EU accession of the WB into the spotlight before too late becomes a lifetime. This is the centre of gravity for the future of the Western Balkans. The European perspective is the drive that makes the process of cooperation ...

06 December 2021 | News

Bregu: EU and Balkans security challenges are becoming ever more interrelated amidst new global threats

Paris/Sarajevo – “The European Union and the Western Balkans security challenges are becoming ever more interrelated and connected to a set of a new global threats. We have to face that we are at an inflection point. We might soon be facing a crisis—a humanitarian and security crisis, as security issues are common, so common and collective should also be our response,” ...

08 November 2021 | News

70% of Western Balkan citizens believe that incoming migrants are a security risk

RCC organised a webinar on Paradigm Change in Afghanistan to discuss possible implications for South East Europe Sarajevo - “Mismanagement of the sudden large influx of migrants in the Western Balkans has likely contributed to the fact that 70% of Western Balkan citizens believe that incoming migrants are a security risk, according to RCC’s Securimeter. There is no reason to ...

15 October 2021 | News

Bregu: European perspective of Western Balkans is the drive that makes the process of cooperation beneficial

Sarajevo – “European perspective of Western Balkans is the drive that makes the process of cooperation beneficial to all in long-term. It is of highest importance that both the region and the EU deliver on the respective commitments – particularly when we take into account that optimism regarding the time of accession has been declining.  More ambitious actions for ...

16 July 2021 | News

98% of firearm incidents perpetrators in the region are men

Sarajevo/Belgrade - 3,566 perpetrators of firearm incidents were reported in South East Europe (SEE) in 2020. For 2,700 perpetrators whose gender was specified, 98% or 2646 are men and only 2% or 54 are women, reveals the latest regional Armed Violence Monitor report, issued by the South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC), a regional ...

10 July 2021 | News

Bregu: Kinship, solidarity and political pragmatism give sense to regional cooperation, benefits of which have been proven time and time again

Dubrovnik/Sarajevo – “It is not bureaucracy and business as usual agenda that gives a sense to regional cooperation. It’s kinship, solidarity and political pragmatism. That’s what we are trying to do. To give a face to valued cooperation in a process where people are participating. Benefits of cooperation have been proven time and time again, success stories that RCC ...

08 July 2021 | News

Kapetanovic: Addressing the spread of disinformation should be an integral part of the overall security policy

Sarajevo – “SecuriMeter data show us that people of the Western Balkans perceive three areas of public life to be threatened by intentional disinformation: economy and finance (57%), trust in public institutions (54%), and trust in elected representatives (51%). With that in mind, it makes sense to conclude and reiterate that addressing the spread of disinformation should be viewed ...

24 June 2021 | News

Bregu: Balkan Barometer reveals human uncertainty and vulnerability are main concerns followed by some goodish news on benefits of regional cooperation

Tirana – “This, seventh in a row, Balkan Barometer shows human uncertainty and vulnerability are the main concerns followed by some goodish news which is the consciousness about the benefits of regional cooperation. For 49% of Western Balkan citizens, unemployment is the biggest problem, as it is for young people as well, while 46% are most worried about the economic situation. ...

22 June 2021 | News

RCC to Present Balkan Barometer 2021 - Public and Business Viewpoints on Situation in our Region

Tirana – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is to present the 2021 edition of Balkan Barometer on Thursday, 24 June 2021, starting at 10:00, in Tirana. This is the 7th edition of annual public and business opinion survey commissioned by the RCC which examines Western Balkan citizens and businesses perceptions and expectations towards a variety of thematic areas, such as the EU integration ...

17 June 2021 | News

Bregu: Voice, concerns, hopes & expectations of the people from the region are core of the RCC work

Antalya – Leaders of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) approved the RCC-developed strategy for socio-economic development of South East Europe (SEE) in the next decade – SEE2030 Strategy, at their Summit held in Antalya, Turkey today. 

16 June 2021 | News

Bregu: 2020 was difficult, but a real progress and achievements have been made for development of our region

Antalya – “Last year, ruled by the pandemic has definitely showcased the extent of our interconnectivity and interdependency and demonstrated that in cooperating, we boost our strengths and resilience. It is clear that regional socio-economic integration is crucial for regional development. There is no doubt about the fact that cooperation brings mutual benefit to its participants. ...

09 June 2021 | News

Kapetanovic: Justice system professionals are key players in guaranteeing equal rights to all

Sarajevo – Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in cooperation with the Council of Europe (CoE) Programme for Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) and GIZ Open Regional Fund for South East Europe - Legal Reform launched on 9 June the online course ‘Access to justice for women’ within the framework of the activities of SEE Judicial Training Institutes network ...

24 May 2021 | News

Bregu: 70% of Western Balkans citizens are afraid their children or young relatives might be radicalised online

Sarajevo – “The current global pandemic made it clear that security threats are not taking any time off. The region finds it very important to work on addressing the security challenges in the Western Balkans. It is quite interesting that 55% of those 82% who point out organised crime as the main security threat say it is corruption that fuels its existence,” said Secretary ...

23 May 2021 | News

RCC to present Western Balkans SecuriMeter - the first-ever regional Public Opinion Survey on Security

Sarajevo - The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) with support of Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will present the first-ever regional Public Opinion Survey on Security issues – Western Balkans SecuriMeter on Monday, 24 May 2021, starting at 10:00 CET. The presentation can be followed on Zoom and live on RCC social media channels, Youtube and Facebook. ...

11 March 2021 | News

Bregu: 77% of Western Balkans citizens agree that the relations in the region are better than a year ago

Sarajevo/Tirana – “The months since our last meeting in October have been difficult with the onset of new Covid-19 waves and new variants of the virus turning things topsy-turvy with a downward spiralling. In terms of regional cooperation, the big good news was the success of the Sofia Summit of the Berlin Process and the endorsement of the Declaration on Green Agenda for the ...

02 February 2021 | News

Integrative Internal Security Governance (IISG) holds its 5th Board meeting for the first time under the RCC umbrella

Sarajevo – The Western Balkan interior ministers adopted the annual work plan and the two methodologies of the Integrative Internal Security Governance (IISG), and also approved the membership of seven new IISG partners at the fifth meeting of the IISG Board held for the first time under the umbrella of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in Sarajevo today. 

20 November 2020 | News

Over-securitisation of illegal immigration can be dangerous, but neglecting its detrimental potential can be equally dangerous too

Sarajevo – “Illegal immigration is a complex, multifaceted phenomenon which no single country can fix alone. We should take into account the opinion of 63% of Western Balkan citizens who perceive it as a direct security threat. Over-securitisation of this issue can be dangerous, but neglecting its detrimental potential can be equally dangerous too. Currently, bilateral and regional ...

12 November 2020 | News

Miscevic: We must work together on developing a culture of critical media literacy in our societies and build disinformation resilience

Sarajevo - “We must immediately begin to work together on developing a culture of critical media literacy in our societies and build disinformation resilience. Developing resistance to fake news should be viewed almost like a key component of the overall security policy of any Western Balkan economy,” said Tanja Miscevic, RCC’s Deputy Secretary General, at the opening of ...

04 November 2020 | News

RCC to assume SEEMIC Chairmanship in 2021

30 September 2020 | News

Gender equality does not concern only women, but the whole society and gender mainstreaming benefits men just as it does women

Sarajevo – “The good news is that the percentage of women in armed forces in Western Balkans is increasing. According to regional ministries of defence, the share of women soldiers is 13% in Albania, 8,46% in BiH, 5% in North Macedonia, 8,17% in Montenegro and 15,68% Serbia. NATO average is 10,9%, while in Bulgaria that share grow from 12% to 20% in just a decade. Slovenia has ...

02 September 2020 | News

Growing number of internet users is potential for blossom of cybercrime, we need to step up protection

Sarajevo – “The world we live in has never been more connected. The number of Internet users has exceeded 4.5 billion, so 60% of world population is already online, and more than a half will be using social media by the end of 2020. Western Balkans is not legging behind these numbers; the number of users in Bosnia and Herzegovina increased by 81% in the last 15 years, in Kosovo* by 80%, ...

25 June 2020 | News

Bregu: It is up to the region to retain commitment to cooperation and bring forth tangible progress to citizens

Tirana/Sarajevo/Prishtina – The two meetings have been held today within the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) - the meeting of the SEECP Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the RCC Annual Meeting, which RCC co-organised with the outgoing Kosovo SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office (CiO).

24 June 2020 | News

Bregu: Cooperation is the only blueprint that holds the promise of ‘Stronger Together’

Sarajevo – “The regional cooperation continues to grow in prominence with an overwhelming majority of citizens supportive of its role in improving the political, economic and security situation in their home economies - 77%, and 65% of them believes that what brings WB citizens together is more important than what separates us. The quick spread of COVID -19 was a grim reminder ...

23 June 2020 | News

The Shape of the Things to Come - Presentation of Balkan Barometer 2020

Sarajevo – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) will present 2020 edition of Balkan Barometer on Wednesday 24 June 2020. This annual public and business opinion survey of the RCC examines the perception and expectations on life and work, prevalent socio-economic and political trends & regional and European integration in the Western Balkan. The 2020 edition presents for the first ...

14 May 2020 | News

Bregu: Pandemic created a common awareness that at least for now humankind takes precedence over politics and disputes

Sarajevo – “For all its aggressiveness, the COVID-19 crisis also offers glimmers of hope. It has connected Western Balkans even more, this time in a fight against an invisible enemy. It has persuaded us that cooperation should be resilient. It has created a common awareness that at least for now humankind takes precedence over politics and disputes, while borders are considered ...

07 April 2020 | News

COVID - 19 pandemic causes by far the largest-ever cyber security threat to the region and world

Sarajevo - On 6 April, Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) hosted an online consultative meeting of South East Europe National Security Authorities (SEENSA) participants, in order to set the course for the implementation of planned activities in light of the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as to discuss the potential role of the platform in managing and mitigating ...

05 March 2020 | News

Society should provide young people with knowledge and skills to resist negative influence and propaganda of extremists and radicalized groups

Tirana – “Numbers speak louder than words on the scope of vulnerability of youth to online radicalisation and violent extremism, often leading to terrorism. The World Bank finds that 23% of youngsters in the Western Balkans, aged between 16-24, are neither in school, job, nor in training, feeling excluded from social developments. Combined with registered significant increase in ...

03 March 2020 | News

Kapetanovic: Responsible journalism is about consequences it causes to a society rather than about number of clicks or likes

Skopje – “Security challenges of our times are indeed very many - from an outbreak of deadly viruses to outbreak of violent extremism, often leading to terrorist attacks, and fake news not meant to inform, but to mislead. And on top of that journalism is confronted with yet another outbreak – social media. So the real challenge for journalists is finding a way to stop chasing only ...

31 January 2020 | News

Bregu: We are committed to enable the region to be an exporter of security

Berlin – “Nearly half of all respondents of the RCC’s Balkan Barometer are unhappy with the security situation in their economy - with estimates that five out of the six surveyed economies, Albania excluded, make the world’s top 20 list for civilian gun ownership. However we are happy to notice that the security reality in the region have already started improve for the better”, ...

31 January 2020 | News

Bregu: This is much needed opportunity to work together on transformation of our countries into the future EU member states

Berlin – The Republic of France has decide to re-join the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), announced French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, at the high-level meeting of the Franco-German Coordination Initiative on Small Arms and Light Weapons Control in the Western Balkans, taking place in Berlin today.  

17 January 2020 | News

Bregu: Parliamentary dialogue and cooperation remain a steady beacon in the ongoing struggle for democracy

Tirana – “In times when politics is in critical condition, Parliamentary dialogue between the Western Balkans and EU on the future of the region is much needed.  Therefore I would propose to start an institutionalised dialogue In this regard, and the regional Cooperation Council (RCC) stands ready to facilitate it” said RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu at the opening of the ...

11 December 2019 | News

EU boosts support for regional cooperation in the Western Balkans

Brussels - In the margins of the Western Balkan Sherpas meeting, which took place in Brussels today in the run-up to the EU-Western Balkans Summit in May 2020, the European Commission reinforced its support to regional cooperation in the Western Balkans. The signed contract for continued cooperation with RCC worth EUR 12.5 million aims at further strengthening RCC’s activities over the ...

05 December 2019 | News

RCC: We need dynamic regional responses to modern security challenges

Trieste – “83% of Europeans agree that fake news is a threat to democracy, yet it has become a new normalcy, sitting between a freedom of speech and freedom to hate. Fake news is vastly contributing to hate speech which adds fuel to the fire of nationalism and violent extremism, especially on social media. That is a path towards youth radicalisation, a global problem, to which our region ...

18 November 2019 | News

RCC takes IISG – Western Balkans’ internal security governance platform under its wing

Skopje – “We will be bigger. As of next year the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) will coordinate one of the most important agendas of the region: security. Security threats do not need any visa or border checks”, said the RCC's Secretary General, Majlinda Bregu after today’s 4th meeting of the Integrative Internal Security Governance (IISG) Board, held in Skopje, at which functional ...

07 November 2019 | News

Gender mainstreaming and the role of women in armed forces for the first time focus of the SEEMIC meeting

Ljubljana - “The role of women in armed forces is an important topic and I am pleased we are discussing it today in Ljubljana in particular, as Slovenia sets a remarkable example for the region with the ratio of over 70% of women making up its Armed Forces. Especially when we know that nowhere in the region women comprise even one quarter of Armed Forces. Gender mainstreaming, or gender ...

25 October 2019 | News

Number of cyberattacks targeting smartphones has increased by 50% in the first half of 2019

Tirana – The year 2020 will be devoted to further strengthening the capacities of the National Security Authorities (NSA) in industrial security and cyber security, as concluded at the meeting of Heads of NSA from South East Europe (SEENSA), held in Tirana on 24 October 2019.

17 October 2019 | News

Bregu: Western Balkans citizens need incentive from the EU

Sarajevo – “While awaiting the European Union’s Summit’s official decision on the opening accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia today, for us in the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and for the entire region as well, it is quite important to reiterate that Western Balkans is an integral part of the EU. The EU integration process needs always to ...

04 October 2019 | News

Bregu: There Is No Other Way to Build the Common European Future of the Region than the consolidation of Rule of Law - It’s All about Justice

Tirana – “Albania and Northern Macedonia are eagerly awaiting mid-October's decision on opening of the EU negotiations, which reflects on the entire region, as a necessity to maintain the reforms under way and take the next step in the European integration process. So, it is not a coincidence that this meeting is taking place in Tirana today, for the same reason the next justice ministerial ...

25 September 2019 | News

Bregu at SEECP meeting in New York: A free travel agreement - the new challenge for the region

New York/Sarajevo - “Two months ago in Poznan, we launched a challenge for the region: a free travel agreement - based on the spirit and the word of already existing set of bilateral agreements which allow free travel with ID cards. This regional agreement should be facilitated by RCC as an important sign of the regional ownership and by the same spirit of Multi-annual Action Plan on a ...

24 September 2019 | News

Bregu: It’s the right moment for Western Balkans to show its strengths and ownership on region’s EU future

New York/Sarajevo – “It’s beyond Poznan time, which makes it the right moment for the Western Balkans to show its strengths and ownership on the EU future of the region. We should address shortcomings of the Regional Economic Area and adjust it to fit our realities – include social dimension in its goals, ensure free movement of citizens across the region and act fast to reverse the ...

08 July 2019 | News

Bregu: RCC keen to embark on any challenges with full support of regional and EU partners - we don’t need to loose time in order to find it again

Sarajevo – „A year behind us was a dynamic one and we are prepared to continue just as dynamic in the next one. We, at the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) are ready and keen to embark on any challenges ahead of us but we cannot do it without the full support of our regional and European partners, as we don’t need to loose time in order to find it again”, said Majlinda Bregu, Secretary ...

07 July 2019 | News

RCC to Present Balkan Barometer 2019 at the Annual meeting of the organisation in Sarajevo

Sarajevo - The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is to present the 5th, 2019 edition of its public and businesses viewpoints survey – Balkan Barometer (BB) at the Annual meeting of the organisation that is taking place on 8 July 2019 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

05 July 2019 | News

Bregu: Western Balkan should embark on serious, wide-ranging facilitation agenda, including movement of people, goods, services and capital

  Poznan – “Two years after the Western Balkans’ (WB) Prime Ministers endorsed the Multi-annual Action Plan for the Regional Economic Area (MAP REA) in Trieste the region has not fully embraced the opportunities offered by the Regional Economic Area. Flows of goods, services, capital and people continue to be obstructed.  We all could draw an important lesson from the Regional ...

04 July 2019 | News

Bregu: Balkan Barometer 2019 clearly shows public and business appreciation of regional cooperation and need to strengthen it

Poznan – “There's no better way to stress the need for stepping up the regional cooperation than quoting the citizens and businesses of the Western Balkans (WB) who overwhelmingly, with 74% and 67% respectively, believe in regional cooperation. The recent success with dropping of roaming charges WB-wide as of 1 of July is an example of how regional cooperation is becoming a steady pattern ...

08 June 2019 | News

Bregu: Integration into Regional Economic Area is a win-win for everyone

Bratislava – The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Majlinda Bregu, met with Minister of foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Miroslav Lajcak, in Bratislava today. The two officials discussed the upcoming Western Balkans’ Berlin Process Summit in Poznan in July, in particular the deliverables when it comes to the implementation of the Multiannual Action Plan for ...

29 May 2019 | News

Kapetanovic: Cyber security one of the RCC’s top priorities

Ljubljana – “The issue of cyber security in general but also in the context of fight against terrorism and online radicalization has become a new security hot spot and challenge at national, regional and global level. This is why cyber security is one of the  priorities of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) both in terms of capacity building and from security point of view”, ...

22 May 2019 | News

Kapetanovic: Dislocation of youth from socio-economic trends makes them vulnerable to radicalization

Pristina – “The youth are extremely exposed group to various forms of emerging challenges in our region, as more than 20% of them between 16 and 25 years of age have no job, are not involved in training education, and 1 out of 2 want to leave their homeland not believing in betterment of their society”, said Amer Kapetanovic, Head of Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Political ...

23 April 2019 | News

Kapetanovic: We have to focus on tangible actions and results in countering & prevention of terrorism & violent extremism in the region

Tirana – The seventh meeting of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s Group of National Focal Points (NFP Group) for Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) in South East Europe (SEE) is held in Tirana today.

12 April 2019 | News

Social media might become prime way of radicalization of young people in the years to come

Budva – Online radicalization in South East Europe (SEE) and ways to deal with this global phenomenon on the regional level are the main topics at the regional Workshop on prevention of online radicalization, being held in Budva today. 

10 April 2019 | News

RCC’s Amer Kapetanovic: Security cooperation in the region has enormous potential that needs to be up-scaled

Tirana –The South East European National Security Authorities’ (SEENSA) met in Tirana today, at the meeting co-organized and co-chaired by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the National security agency (NSA) of Albania. 

21 March 2019 | News

RCC Secretary General Bregu calls for more efficient future action and better communication with the citizens

Sarajevo – Coordination Board of the Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) South East Europe’s growth Strategy (SEE 2020) has met in Sarajevo today, to reflect on the implementation results, identify potential action synergies for further cooperation as well as post-2020 regional priorities and strategic framework. 

20 March 2019 | News

Turdiu: Our task is to translate political will and commitments into concrete actions and results

Tirana – The Western Balkan Six (WB6) Component Contact Points (CCPs) in charge for implementation and monitoring of the Multi-Annual Action Plan for Regional Economic Area (MAP REA) reflected on the results of MAP REA implementation during the period July-December 2018, at their third meeting, organized by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in Tirana yesterday.

12 March 2019 | News

Cooperation of Judiciaries in the Western Balkans leads to transparent, reliable and predictable Rule of Law practices for the citizens

Sarajevo – Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) hosted today representatives of the Western Balkans’ Ministries of Justice gathered around the RCC-led Working Group on Justice, at their regular meeting, 12th in the row.

06 December 2018 | News

Svilanovic: Cyber security became new hotspot and serious challenge at global, regional and local level

Istanbul – The Third Regional Coordination Conference for Counter-Terrorism (CT) and Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) in South East Europe (SEE), organized by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in cooperation with the Government and the Ministry of Interior of Turkey, together with Integrative Internal Security Governance Initiative (IISG), opened in Istanbul, Turkey, ...

22 November 2018 | News

RCC hosts the 3rd meeting of the SEE Network of Judicial Training Institutions

Zagreb – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) hosted the 3rd Meeting of the South East Europe (SEE) Network of Judicial Training Institutions “Rule of Law at the heart of enlargement process – regional cooperation”, in Zagreb, Croatia on 21-22 November 2018.  

07 November 2018 | News

Region’s Military Intelligence Chiefs discuss cyber security challenges in the Western Balkans

Tirana – The South East European Military Intelligence Chiefs (SEEMIC) adopted the Open-source intelligence (OSINT) assessment dedicated to ‘Challenges to critical infrastructure cyber security in South East Europe ' at their 10th Conference held on 7 November 2018 in Tirana, Albania. The event was co-organised by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the Defence Intelligence and ...

25 October 2018 | News

RCC hosts workshop for Western Balkans journalists on media coverage of terrorism and violent extremism topics

Budva - The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) hosts a Regional Workshop on media coverage of violent extremism-related topics for journalists from the Western Balkans, in Budva, Montenegro, today. 

19 October 2018 | News

RCC organises regional workshop for journalists from the Western Balkans on media coverage of terrorism and violent extremism topics

Budva - The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is organising a Regional Workshop on media coverage of violent extremism-related topics for journalists from the Western Balkans, on 25 October 2018, in Budva, Montenegro. 

03 October 2018 | News

Svilanovic: Trained security practitioners are invaluable in prevention and countering of violent extremism and radicalization in Western Balkans

Skopje - A seminar on prevention and countering of violent extremism (P/CVE) in the Western Balkans (WB) gathering security practitioners from the region and distinguished regional and international lecturers is being held in Skopje today. The seminar has been organised by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior of The Former Yugoslav Republic of ...

18 September 2018 | News

Sarajevo: Students from BiH universities discuss early signs of radicalisation among youth and its prevention

Sarajevo – Close to 50 students from various Universities across Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered in BiH capital today at the one-day Workshop, organised by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) at Faculty for Criminalistics, Criminology and Security Studies of University of Sarajevo,  to discuss the early signs of radicalisation in their local communities, vulnerable targeted population, ...

11 September 2018 | News

Svilanovic at the Bled Strategic Forum: The region should deal with security issues as inextricable part of its activities in connectivity, mobility, and competitiveness

06 July 2018 | News

RCC’s Balkan Barometer 2018: Satisfaction of people and businesses on overall situation in the region is steadily improving

Brussels – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) revealed results of 2018 edition of the Balkan Barometer (BB), an annual survey of citizens and business communities’ opinion on the situation in the region, in Brussels today. The main findings of the survey show that satisfaction of people and businesses on the overall situation in the region, while still below average, is steadily improving.

03 July 2018 | News

RCC to present SEE2020 strategy implementation results and its Balkan Barometer 2018 this week in Brussels

Brussels – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is to present the implementation results of the region’s growth strategy, South East Europe 2020 (SEE2020) on 5 July 2018 in Brussels, and day after, on 6 July also in Brussels, the RCC will reveal the results of its 4th edition of the public and business opinion survey – Balkan Barometer 2018. Both are an integral part of the RCC’s ...

13 June 2018 | News

RCC: Western Balkans Working Group on Research and Development meets in Brussels

Brussels – The meeting of the Western Balkans Working Group on Research and Development (R&D) took place in Brussels on 13 June 2018. The participants focused on the possible participation of the Western Balkans in the Horizon Europe, which is the EC's proposal for a € 100 billion research and innovation funding programme for seven years period (2021-2027). This programme is ...

11 June 2018 | News

Participation of public in policy-making allows for citizens’ views and concerns to be addressed

Vienna – In an attempt to increase awareness of regional standards in the field of public participation in policy-making processes in the Western Balkans (WB), the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) together with the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA), and the Centre for Public Administration Research (KDZ) organised a Regional Conference titled ‘Unlocking Benefits of Public ...

08 June 2018 | News

Western Balkans' Judicial Training Institutions and Working Group on Justice meet in Podgorica

Podgorica - Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) convened meeting of the Western Balkan Judicial Training Institutions (WB JTIs), Councils for Judiciary and Working Group on Justice (WGJ), held on 7-8 June 2018 in Podgorica, Montenegro.

30 May 2018 | News

Combating terrorism and violent extremism cannot be done without full support of judicial institutions

 Tirana – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and Albanian Ministry of Justice are hosting a regional workshop on law enforcement/judicial services and state attorneys/prosecutors in dealing with terrorism and violent extremism and connected crimes, in Tirana today. It gathers judges, prosecutors and experts from the Western Balkans, guests from the international organisations and ...

18 May 2018 | News

RCC Presents Preliminary Findings of the SEE 2020 Draft Annual Implementation Report to Monitoring Committee

Podgorica - Monitoring Committee of the South East Europe 2020 (SEE 2020) Strategy met for the 6th time, under auspice of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), in Podgorica today, to discuss and provide comments on the Strategy’s early draft Annual Implementation Report (ARI).

18 April 2018 | News

Cyber Security: Regional Expert Conference and Workshop on Countering Online Radicalisation

Belgrade - Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) organised a two-day regional Conference and Workshop tackling countering online radicalisation in the context of cyber security in Belgrade on 17-18 April 2018.

17 April 2018 | News

RCC, RAI sign memorandum of understanding, broadening cooperation between the two organisations

Belgrade – Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Goran Svilanovic and Chairperson of the Regional Anticorruption Initiative (RAI) Davor Dubravica signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on mutual cooperation between the RCC and RAI, on the margins of the RCC-organised Conference 'Countering online radicalization in the context of cyber security', in Belgrade on ...

29 March 2018 | News

RCC: Ljubljana hosts 3-day training for young diplomats and SEENSA meeting

Ljubljana – Personnel security and awareness raising issues were the main topics of the South East European National Security Authorities (SEENSA) expert working group meeting, which was hosted by the Republic of Slovenia’s Government Office for the Protection of Classified Information (NSA) and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in Ljubljana today. 

12 March 2018 | News

SEE 2020 Strategy Implementation: Programming Document for period 2018-2020 endorsed by the Strategy’s Participants

Brussels – Representatives of the South East Europe’s (SEE) economies participating in implementation SEE 2020 Strategy endorsed the Programming Document for the period 2018-2020, at the 6th Meeting of the SEE 2020 Programming Committee held in Brussels, under auspices of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), today, 12 March 2018. 

01 February 2018 | News

Regional Deputy Ministers of Interior and Foreign Affairs Commit to Joint Approach to Small Arms and Light Weapons Control

Podgorica – Deputy Ministers of the Interior and Foreign Affairs from the region expressed determination to strengthen their commitments towards Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Control in South East Europe (SEE), as agreed in the Joint Statement at the High Level Regional Conference - Reinforcing Commitments towards Small Arms and Light Weapons Control in South East Europe, held in ...

07 December 2017 | News

Regional Working Group on Justice and Western Balkans’ Judicial Training Institutions held a joint meeting

Brussels – Joint meeting of the regional Working Group on Justice (WGJ) and Western Balkans Judicial Training Institutions (WB JTIs) group was held in Brussels on 6-7 December 2017, under auspices of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC).

30 November 2017 | News

RCC: Second Regional Coordination Conference for Counter-Terrorism and Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism opens in Brdo pri Kranju

Svilanovic: Departures from the region to Syria and Iraq almost completely stopped by mid-2016 Brdo near Kranj – Second Regional Coordination Conference for Counter-Terrorism (CT) and Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) in South East Europe (SEE), discussing the enhancement of cooperation and coordination of CT and P/CVE programmes and activities in the region, commenced ...

28 November 2017 | News

Regional Workshop on Prosecution, Detention, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters begins today

Rakitje – Regional expert workshop “Prosecution, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration of Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters”, organised by Centre for Security Cooperation - RACVIAC in cooperation with Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina started in Rakitje, Croatia, today.

08 November 2017 | News

South East European Military Intelligence Chiefs adopt OSINT assessment on Use of Social Media by Violent Extremists

Budva –  Open-source intelligence (OSINT) assessment dedicated to ‘Use of Social Media by violent extremists' has been adopted by the South East European Military Intelligence Chiefs (SEEMIC) at their 9th Conference held on 7 November 2017 in Budva, Montenegro. The event was co-organised by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the Department for Military Intelligence ...

02 November 2017 | News

RCC hosts Workshop on Improving the Investor State Dispute Settlement in South East Europe

Vienna - The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) hosted today a workshop on improving the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism in South East European (SEE) economies, which is a next step in the implementation of the investment reform agenda in the region. 

25 October 2017 | News

Preventing Corruption in Public Institutions through Efficient Identification of Risks

Ljubljana - Efficient identification of corruption risks and their assessment in public institutions is the main topic of a two-day Regional Forum which started in Ljubljana, Slovenia today.     

25 October 2017 | News

2nd Meeting of Mediators from the Region

Zagreb - Network of Mediators from South East Europe (SEE) concluded their second meeting in Zagreb today, discussing the dispute resolution laws, public awareness on mediation and potentials for improving investment climate in the region. The 2-day meeting gathered representatives of ministries of justice and mediators from SEE. The meeting was organised by the Regional Cooperation Council ...

06 October 2017 | News

RCC to present its Balkan Barometer 2017 – a perception survey of citizens and business communities on the situation in the region

Brussels – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is to present its 3rd edition of the public and business opinion survey – Balkan Barometer 2017 in Brussels, Belgium, on 9 October 2017.

05 October 2017 | News

Heads of South East European National Security Authorities convene for their 7th Annual meeting

Belgrade - South East European National Security Authorities’ (SEENSA) forum held its 7th annual meeting at directors’ level in Belgrade, Serbia today.

22 September 2017 | News

Region’s administration representatives endorse Western Balkans Recommendations on Public Participation in legislative and decision-making processes

Sarajevo – The Regional Working Group on Better Regulation, consisting of relevant public administration bodies, endorsed the Western Balkans Recommendations on Public Participation of citizens and civil society in legislative and decision-making processes, at the meeting which ended in Sarajevo today.   

06 July 2017 | News

RCC hosts meeting of the Western Balkans' Judicial Training Institutions

Brussels – Western Balkans' Judicial Training Institutions (WB JTIs) met in Brussels today at a meeting organised by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat. The meeting discussed future work and cooperation among WB JTIs, relevant European Commission services, European Judicial Training Network and RCC.

25 May 2017 | News

Svilanovic: We need to engage and empower youth, to make them more resilient to violent extremism propaganda

Zagreb – The role of education and civil society in prevention of violent extremism was a topic of the regional workshop, organised by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), in Zagreb today.

21 April 2017 | News

Assessment on use of social media by violent extremist discussed by SEEMIC Expert Working Group

Podgorica - South East Europe Military Intelligence Chiefs’ forum - Expert Working Group (SEEMIC EWG) met at their 9th meeting on 20 April 2017 in Podgorica to discuss the draft Open-source intelligence (OSINT) assessment and agenda of the main SEEMIC conference planned later this year.

18 April 2017 | News

RCC survey: Only slightly more than half of people surveyed region-wide said whistleblowers should be supported

Sarajevo – Attempting to raise public awareness against corruption in South East Europe (SEE), the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) surveyed what the public in the region felt towards the whistleblowing, as one of the highly effective tools to expose corruption, crime and other serious wrongdoings. The data analysis of this opinion survey, on both the Whistleblowing and protection ...

03 April 2017 | News

RCC launches a website on prevention and countering of violent extremism in South East Europe - www.rcc.int/p-cve

Sarajevo – The website on prevention and countering of violent extremism (P-CVE) in South East Europe (SEE) is operational as of today. The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) launched the website providing relevant information on P-CVE in SEE, documents related to the regional initiatives, glossary and links to respective institutions dealing with the topic in the region.

28 March 2017 | News

RCC: Skopje hosts training on corruption proofing of legislation

Skopje/Sarajevo – A second round of the training on corruption proofing of legislation, organized by the Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat with support of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and State Commission for Prevention of Corruption, took place on 27-28 of March 2017 in Skopje.

22 March 2017 | News

SEE group on countering radicalisation and violent extremism and foreign terrorist fighters continue its work under RCC auspices

Skopje/Sarajevo – The third regular meeting of the South East Europe (SEE) National Focal Points (NFP) for countering radicalization and violent extremism (CVE) and foreign terrorist fighters (FTF), took place today in Skopje. The meeting has been organized by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), with support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Former Yugoslav Republic of ...

22 March 2017 | News

Practical and institutional cooperation of regional judiciaries in focus of Podgorica-based events

Podgorica/Sarajevo – Podgorica hosted two events on judicial matters: Regional Seminar on practical issues in the framework of the judicial cooperation in civil, commercial and family matters and the 7th  meeting of the Working Group on Justice, on 21-22 March 2017.

03 March 2017 | News

RCC presents its report on activities in countering radicalization and violent extremism to SEECP Foreign Ministers

Zagreb/Sarajevo – The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic, presented the RCC’s report on activities in countering radicalization and violent extremism (CVE/FTF), at the informal meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs of the South - East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), in Zagreb today.

16 December 2016 | News

Justice and Home Affairs discussed at EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum

Brdo pri Kranju/Sarajevo - Efficiency and cooperation of judiciaries, operational cooperation in matters such as migration, border management and internal security, including counter-terrorism and firearms trafficking were the main topics discussed at the EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs held under Slovak Presidency of the Council of the European Union ...

08 December 2016 | News

THE MEDAL OF THE LOUD: Speak, do not keep silent!

The first regional documentary film on whistleblowers  Belgrade/Sarajevo – The Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) produced a documentary film, ‘The Medal of the Loud’ , dealing with whistleblowers in the region through testimonials of people who reported corruption, pointed to it as investigative journalists, and representatives of organisations and institutions dealing ...

02 December 2016 | News

Regional Conference: Better Regulation and Competitiveness in Western Balkans

In the present post-crisis setting of slow growth, high unemployment and fiscal stringency in most economies in this region, the need for improving cost effectiveness and quality of regulation remains critical. Better regulation means changes that improve the quality of regulation, provides a real opportunity to stimulate economic activity, unlocks productivity and supports growth.

23 November 2016 | News

Foreign Terrorist Fighters – Challenges for South Eastern Europe

Zagreb - Conference titled Foreign Terrorist Fighters – Challenges for South Eastern Europe: An Integrative and Complementary Approach to Counter – Terrorism and Violent Extremism began at the RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation. The event is being organized in Cooperation with the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and with the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. ...

14 November 2016 | News

The South East Europe Coalition on Whistleblower Protection meets in Zagreb

Sarajevo/Zagreb - The South East Europe (SEE) Coalition on Whistleblower Protection held its second Annual Meeting, with support of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) and Blueprint for Free Speech (BPfFS), in Zagreb today.

11 November 2016 | News

Tirana: Stepping up regional response in fight against radicalization, violent extremism, terrorism and foreign terrorist fighters in South East Europe in the focus of the RCC-organised conference

Tirana - For the first time in this format key international partners, regional organisations and representatives of governments from South East Europe (SEE) gathered to discuss and agree upon practical recommendations and future steps in fight against radicalization, violent extremism, terrorism and foreign terrorist fighters in the region, at the regional conference organized by the ...

10 November 2016 | News

Judicial training institutions from Western Balkans and Turkey mapped the most important projects in the region and identified common needs as grounds for future cooperation

Sarajevo/Belgrade – Representatives of the Ministries of Justice and Judicial Training Institutions (JTI) of Western Balkans and Turkey gathered at the Coordination meeting under the auspices of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) to map the most important projects in the area of judicial training in the region and to identify both the common needs and possibilities of using the ...

09 November 2016 | News

RCC: Regional 3-year plan of activities and processes in the area of justice agreed at the meeting of the Working Group on Justice

Sarajevo/Belgrade – Justice ministries from the region initially agreed on the framework plan of action for the coming 3-year period, as proposed by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) at the 6th meeting of the Working Group on Justice, held in Belgrade on 9 November 2016.

21 October 2016 | News

SEE 2020 implementation: Cooperation of Oversight Bodies for asset disclosure and conflict of interest in the region

Sofia/Sarajevo, 21 October 2016 – Exchanging data in the field of asset disclosure and conflict of interest, as part of implementation of Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) South East Europe 2020 growth strategy (SEE 2020), was the focus of the 3rd Regional Meeting of the Oversight Bodies that took place in Sofia, Bulgaria on 20-21 October 2016.

20 October 2016 | News

Chisinau: Migration crisis, radicalization and violent extremism leading to terrorism in the focus of SEE military intelligence chiefs meeting

Sarajevo/Chisinau, 20 October 2016 – “The security situation in South East Europe calls for greater responsibility and concerted efforts from all of us in the region”, said Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Mr. Goran Svilanović at the opening of the 8th South East Europe Military Intelligence Chiefs (SEEMIC) forum in Chisinau, Moldova today. The event is being ...

29 September 2016 | News

Cyber security, education and training on the agenda of the 6th South East European National Security Authorities’ forum (SEENSA)

Sarajevo/Podgorica – “Regional cooperation of national security authorities (NSA) in South East Europe (SEE) is one of the Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) success stories,” said RCC’s Secretary General Goran Svilanović at the opening of the 6th South East European National Security Authorities’ forum (SEENSA) in Podgorica today.

20 September 2016 | News

Joint investigation teams as a tool in fighting organised crime

Podgorica - A conference introducing the topic of joint investigation teams organised by The Southeast European Prosecutors Advisory Group (SEEPAG), Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC) and Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) kicked-off in Podgorica, Montenegro, today.

14 September 2016 | News

Efficiency and equity of public institutions and good governance seen as key problems in the region

‘Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) continues to back public administration and decentralization reform efforts of pertinent regional cooperation mechanisms in South East Europe (SEE) alike Network of Associations of Local Authorities of SEE (NALAS) and the Regional School for Public Administration (ReSPA), as good governance has always been at the heart of our activities’, said ...

23 June 2016 | News

Svilanovic: “Low credibility of public institutions in South East Europe”

Vienna/Sarajevo – “The credibility of public institutions is low and dissatisfaction with the efficiency and fairness of the public institutions continues to be high”, said Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General, Goran Svilanovic, speaking at the “Public Governance as the Foundation of European Integration” conference which started today in Vienna.

07 June 2016 | News

RCC hosts workshop on countering violent extremism in South East Europe

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat hosted a regional expert workshop on “Factors and drivers underlying radicalization and violent extremism leading to terrorism”, in Sarajevo today. The event, organized with the support of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo, is a part of implementation of the RCC’s South ...

19 May 2016 | News

Furthering security cooperation in South East Europe

Chisinau/Sarajevo – The annual meeting of the Expert working group of the Southeast Europe Military Intelligence Chiefs' Forum (SEEMIC EWG) was held in the Moldovan capital today and was opened by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General, Goran Svilanovic and Aurel Fondos, the State Secretary in the Defence Ministry of Moldova.

13 April 2016 | News

SEE judicial training institutions network established

Bucharest – A two day conference started in Bucharest today, establishing for the first time a Network of Judicial Training Institutions in South East Europe (SEE). The general goal of this initiative is to strengthen cooperation in the field of justice in the Western Balkans and the whole SEE region.

18 March 2016 | News

RCC: Strengthening regional cooperation in the field of justice

Sarajevo – The Third Regional Rule of Law Forum for South East Europe kicked off in the Sarajevo City Hall this morning, bringing together over 130 eminent representatives of the regional highest courts, the supreme and constitutional courts, judicial councils, directors of judicial academies and institutions, civil society organisations and representatives in the European Court of ...

27 January 2016 | News

Flow of recruits for violent extremists, terrorists and foreign fighters must be stopped

Sarajevo, 27 January 2016 - Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General, Goran Svilanovic, chaired today’s first meeting of the Group of National focal points for countering radicalization and violent extremism leading to terrorism and foreign terrorist fighters in Southeast Europe. 

05 November 2015 | News

RCC partakes in security issues conference

Thessaloniki/Sarajevo, 5 November 2015 – The northern Greek city of Thessaloniki hosted today the 7th session of the South East Europe Military Intelligence Chiefs’ Forum (SEEMIC), co-chaired by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and Greece.

06 October 2015 | News

Countering violent extremism in focus of RCC-State Department talks

Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General, Goran Svilanovic and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State responsible for European and Eurasian affairs, Hoyt Yee, met in Washington yesterday and exchanged views on the current political situation in Southeast Europe (SEE) and the state of the Euro-Atlantic integration process of the region.

21 May 2015 | News

Governing Board of RCC’s SEE2020 Strategy Meets in Tirana

TIRANA/SARAJEVO – The South East Europe 2020 Strategy (SEE 2020) Governing Board held its second meeting in Tirana today. The SEE 2020 Strategy is the Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) primary instrument for boosting growth in the region, creating jobs and assisting the EU accession process. The Strategy was adopted in November 2013 and today’s meeting of the Governing Board was ...

17 April 2015 | News

Justice and Home Affairs Ministers agree on stepping up cooperation in the joint fight against terrorism

SARAJEVO/BUDVA, 17 April 2015 – Ministers of Interior and Justice from South East Europe (SEE) agreed on the importance of a common approach to prevention, detection and fight against terrorism in the region, at the Ministerial Conference on Justice and Home Affairs that ended in Budva, Montenegro today.  

16 April 2015 | News

Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Conference on Terrorism in Budva, 16-17 April 2015

Ministry of Interior of Montenegro, Ministry of Justice of Montenegro, Ministry of Interior of Slovenia and Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), as operational Secretariat of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), are organising a Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Conference on Fight against Terrorism which will take place in Budva, Montenegro, on 16-17 May 2015.

23 May 2014 | News

RCC’s SEE 2020 Strategy: Regional Action Plan in the area of justice approved

Regional Action Plan for South East Europe (SEE) in the area of justice has been unanimously approved by all members at the first meeting of the Working Group on Justice, held under the guidance of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, today.

19 May 2014 | News

RCC calls EU for continuation of urgent assistance to flood-affected countries in the region

BRUSSELS/SARAJEVO – The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic, asked for continuation of EU assistance to flood-affected countries in the region, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, during his meeting with the European Union's Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, Kristalina Georgieva, in Brussels ...

09 September 2013 | News

RCC to present South East Europe 2020 strategy for creating 1 million jobs in the region

SARAJEVO – The first draft of the South East Europe (SEE) 2020 strategy for creating one million new jobs in the region will be presented in Skopje tomorrow. The document is being prepared by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat, in close consultation with governments and initiatives from South East Europe.

19 March 2013 | News

New work programme of South East Europe Investment Committee to focus on SEE 2020 growth strategy

SARAJEVO - The South East Europe Investment Committee (SEEIC) of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) adopted an updated work programme at its meeting in Sarajevo today, focused on development of the South East Europe 2020 regional growth strategy.

18 March 2013 | News

South East Europe 2020 growth strategy in focus of regional meeting, to be held in Sarajevo tomorrow, under RCC auspices

SARAJEVO – Development of the South East Europe (SEE) 2020 regional growth strategy and its implementation will be the main topics of the 12th South East Europe Investment Committee (SEEIC) Meeting, which will be held in Sarajevo tomorrow.

11 March 2013 | News

Seven German ambassadors from Western Balkans and foreign ministry discuss regional issues, express support to RCC work

SARAJEVO - Ambassadors of Germany in Belgrade, Podgorica, Prishtina, Sarajevo, Skopje and Tirana, accompanied by colleagues from the foreign ministry, discussed political situation in Western Balkans and the region’s European perspective during a visit to the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat in Sarajevo today. 

02 October 2012 | News

Entire society must join forces to fight violent extremism, agrees South East European meeting in Istanbul today

ISTANBUL/SARAJEVO – Prevention, awareness-raising, advanced use of information and communication technologies, engaged civil society, and public-private partnerships are crucial in countering violent extremism, concluded a South East European workshop that ended in Istanbul today.

19 September 2012 | News

South East European Military Intelligence Chiefs meet in Sofia

The 4th conference of the South East European Military Intelligence Chiefs (SEEMIC) was held in Sofia today focusing on military-political and security situation in South East Europe. Special attention was devoted to challenges facing the military intelligence organizations associated with activities of various terrorist and extremist structures, organized crime and illegal trafficking in ...

30 May 2012 | News

South East European experts prepare regional conventions on criminal, civil and commercial matters, under RCC auspices

BUCHAREST/SARAJEVO – Two regional conventions, on criminal and on civil and commercial matters, were discussed by over 70 South East European experts in justice and home affairs at a meeting in Bucharest today, held under the auspices of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat.

22 February 2012 | News

RCC, European Parliament to bring together Western Balkan parliamentarians to discuss environmental policy, in Sarajevo

SARAJEVO – The European Union (EU) environmental policy and Western Balkans environmental trends and perspectives will be the topic of a two-day parliamentary seminar hosted by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat in Sarajevo, on 23-24 February.

02 December 2011 | News

South East European conference evaluates regional needs in justice, home affairs and security cooperation, under RCC auspices

BELGRADE/SARAJEVO – A two-day conference to evaluate regional needs in justice, home affairs and security cooperation ended in Belgrade today, establishing mechanisms to foster South East European cooperation on criminal investigations and protection of fundamental rights.

13 October 2011 | News

Twelve South East European military intelligence chiefs step up cooperation in Sarajevo today, under RCC auspices

SARAJEVO – Chiefs and senior officials of military intelligence from 12 South East European countries, members of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), agreed in Sarajevo today to move forward regional cooperation in the field of intelligence exchange and adopted rules of procedures to put the cooperation in practice.

06 July 2011 | News

Serbian President Tadic gives full support to RCC activities in promoting regional cooperation in South East Europe

SARAJEVO – President of the Republic of Serbia, Boris Tadic, paid a visit today to the Secretariat of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in Sarajevo, where he expressed full support to the work of the organization during his meeting with RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic.

06 July 2011 | News

RCC to host first meeting on implementation of regional strategy on justice and home affairs in South East Europe

SARAJEVO – The first meeting of the Steering Group on Regional Strategy on Justice and Home Affairs, designed to facilitate the Strategy implementation, will open in Sarajevo tomorrow, under the auspices of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat.

30 June 2011 | News

Heads of State and Government of South East Europe praise work of Regional Cooperation Council

BUDVA/SARAJEVO – The Heads of State and Government of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) praised today in Budva the successful implementation of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Strategy and Work Programme 2011-2013, endorsing the Annual Report of its Secretary General.

29 June 2011 | News

South East European foreign ministers voice support to RCC activities, endorse its Annual Report

BUDVA/SARAJEVO – Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) countries commended today the work of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and its Secretary General at a meeting in Budva, Montenegro.

28 June 2011 | News

Regional cooperation in South East Europe encouraging, says RCC Secretary General at the organization’s Annual Meeting

BUDVA/SARAJEVO – “Regional cooperation in South East Europe has exhibited encouraging signs over the past year“ said Hido Biscevic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), while opening the organization's third Annual Meeting in the Montenegrin town of Becici near Budva, on 28 June 2011.

25 May 2011 | News

First meeting of national security authorities from South East Europe to discuss regional platform for exchange of classified information

SOFIA – The first meeting of heads of national security authorities from South East European countries – members of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) – will take place in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 25-27 May 2011.

31 March 2011 | News

Western Balkans and Europe 2020 conference agrees RCC best suited to help align regional programmes with Europe 2020

BRUSSELS/SARAJEVO – Over 100 participants of a Western Balkans and Europe 2020 – Towards Convergence and Growth conference of regional initiatives and international donors concluded in Brussels today that the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is the institution most apt to help align regional programmes with goals of Europe 2020 strategy of the European Union (EU).

24 March 2011 | News

RCC-organized conference on Western Balkans and Europe 2020 to discuss growth in the region, gather close to 50 institutions and donors

SARAJEVO/BRUSSELS – A Western Balkans and Europe 2020 – Towards Convergence and Growth coordination meeting of regional initiatives and interested donor institutions will take place in Brussels, on 30-31 March 2011. The event will be organized by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat.

22 March 2011 | News

Sarajevo meeting discusses security sector reform in Western Balkans

Representatives of seven regional civil society organizations (CSOs) – from Belgrade, Podgorica, Pristina, Sarajevo, Skopje, Tirana and Zagreb – analyzed in Sarajevo today security sector reforms (SSR) in the Western Balkans, at a roundtable co-organized by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat.

17 March 2011 | News

South East European ministers to endorse regional strategy on justice and home affairs, prepared under RCC auspices

BUDVA/SARAJEVO – A two-day conference of ministers of justice and interior of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), which is expected to endorse the Regional Strategic Document on Justice and Home Affairs 2011-2013 developed by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat and relevant stakeholders from the region, commenced in Budva today.

16 March 2011 | News

Role of Western Balkan parliaments in EU accession to be debated in Sarajevo, under RCC and EC auspices

SARAJEVO – Role of national parliaments in Western Balkans and Turkey in negotiations for EU accession will be discussed at a meeting hosted by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat in Sarajevo, on 17-18 March.

15 March 2011 | News

South East European defense ministers stress RCC’s importance in regional cooperation

In a Joint Statement adopted in Budva today, Ministers of Defense of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) stressed the importance of defense and security cooperation in fostering general stability and development in the region.

04 March 2011 | News

Prospects for regional cooperation in South East Europe in 2011 and beyond focus of the 3rd RCC anniversary celebration

SARAJEVO – A panel discussion South East Europe in 2011 and Beyond: Sharing the Same Vision will be held in Sarajevo, on Monday, 7 March, to mark the third anniversary of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC).

24 February 2011 | News

Role of parliaments in legislative process and government oversight discussed in Sarajevo, under EP and RCC auspices

SARAJEVO – A two-day seminar on the role of parliaments in the legislative process and in the government oversight in Western Balkans will wrap up in Sarajevo today at the premises of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat.

29 November 2010 | News

RCC hosts conference to finalize draft South East European strategy on justice and security cooperation

SARAJEVO – A two-day conference of national authorities, regional organizations and international partners on justice and security cooperation in South East Europe is to open in Sarajevo tomorrow, under the auspices of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat.

25 October 2010 | News

Workshop on national coordination and regional cooperation in counter-terrorism matters in South East Europe to open in Sarajevo

SARAJEVO – Implementation of effective national coordination and regional cooperation strategies to counter terrorism will be in focus of a high-level workshop targeting countries of South East Europe, which will open in Sarajevo on Wednesday, 27 October 2010. The event will be co-hosted by the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat. 

12 October 2010 | News

South East European parliamentarians agree in Belgrade to boost regional cooperation in fighting poverty and social exclusion

BELGRADE/SARAJEVO – A regional conference on the role of national parliaments in fighting poverty and social exclusion concluded in Belgrade today, with a pledge to increase inter-parliamentary cooperation in order to decrease impoverishment levels in South East Europe.

30 September 2010 | News

Nine South East European military intelligence chiefs sign cooperation statement in Belgrade today, under RCC auspices

BELGRADE – A statement on cooperation among military intelligence institutions of Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) members from South East Europe was signed in Belgrade today by nine military intelligence chiefs from the region. The signatories of the first such statement in the region agreed to establish and develop cooperation in the field of security threats, and join efforts in improving ...

30 September 2010 | News

OSCE organizes workshop on democratic policing in South-Eastern Europe, with Regional Cooperation Council support

SARAJEVO – A regional workshop on democratic policing organized by the OSCE Strategic Police Matters Unit with the support of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) started in Sarajevo today.

29 September 2010 | News

OSCE- and RCC-supported workshop on democratic policing in South East Europe to open in Sarajevo tomorrow

SARAJEVO – A two-day workshop on democratic policing in South East Europe will open in Sarajevo tomorrow, at the premises of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat. The event has been organized together with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

15 September 2010 | News

RCC Secretary General to outline the organization’s new three-year strategy at a press conference in Sarajevo tomorrow

SARAJEVO – The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, will present the organization’s new strategy for 2011-2013, and outline the main activities scheduled for this autumn, at a press conference in Sarajevo, tomorrow, 16 September.

10 September 2010 | News

The first meeting of South East European political directors under Montenegrin leadership held in Podgorica today

The first meeting of political directors of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) under the Montenegrin Chairmanship-in-Office, held in Podgorica today, discussed the priorities of the Chairmanship and the situation in the region.

07 July 2010 | News

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.

21 May 2010 | News

South East European conference agrees in Bucharest today on the need to strengthen regional efforts in fighting corruption

BUCHAREST/SARAJEVO – Participants of a two-day regional South East European (SEE) anti-corruption conference concluded in Bucharest today that countries in this part of Europe should develop more effective mechanisms to fight corruption.

19 May 2010 | News

Bucharest-held regional anti-corruption conference to present study on corruption in nine South East European countries

SARAJEVO/BUCHAREST – A two-day regional South East European anti-corruption conference will open in Bucharest tomorrow, 20 May.The event is to present and debate a study on integrity and resistance to corruption of the judicial systems in nine South East European countries...

14 April 2010 | News

Regional Cooperation Council launches redesigned website and new publication, a monthly newsletter

SARAJEVO – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat launched today a redesigned version of the organization’s website and a new publication, the monthly e-newsletter.

04 March 2010 | News

RCC Board starts discussing the organization's strategy for the next three years

SARAJEVO – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Board discussed today the first draft of the new, three-year Strategic Work Programme of the organization for the period 2011-2013.

23 February 2010 | News

International conference on overcoming economic crisis in Western Balkans to mark 2nd RCC anniversary

SARAJEVO – A two-day regional conference “Western Balkans in 2020 – Overcoming the Economic Crisis and Developing Competitive Economies” will open in Sarajevo tomorrow. The event, organized by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat, will also mark the 2nd anniversary of the organization.

17 December 2009 | News

Preparation of South East European justice and home affairs strategy starts in Sarajevo, under RCC auspices

SARAJEVO – A two-day conference on multi-annual South East European (SEE) strategy on justice and home affairs ended in Sarajevo today. The event, organized by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat, marked the beginning of work on this important regional document.

14 December 2009 | News

Workshop on energy security for Bosnia and Herzegovina lawmakers to take place in Sarajevo tomorrow

SARAJEVO – The workshop “Energy Community and Regional Security“, will be held in Sarajevo tomorrow, focusing on the implementation of Energy Community (EnC) Treaty and related market developments in South East Europe. The event is co-organized by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat and the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with support of the EnC Secretariat.

03 December 2009 | News

RCC Board discusses future strategic focuses of organization's activities and supports efforts of its Secretariat in Sarajevo

SARAJEVO – The 29 members of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Board discussed today in Sarajevo further strategic prioritization of activities of the organization and gave full support to its Secretariat in these efforts.

24 November 2009 | News

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).

29 October 2009 | News

Sarajevo conference on higher education in Western Balkans to open at Regional Cooperation Council tomorrow

SARAJEVO – A two-day conference on higher education ‘Building Capacity for Change in the Western Balkans’ will tomorrow open in Sarajevo at the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat. The event is organized by the RCC Secretariat, in cooperation with the Universities of Novi Sad, Sarajevo and Zagreb.

22 October 2009 | News

OECD, RCC bring together policy makers and experts in Sarajevo to increase parliamentary involvement in better business regulation in South East Europe

SARAJEVO – Policy makers and experts from South East Europe (SEE) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) gathered today at the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat in Sarajevo to streamline co-operation between parliaments and governments in order to develop a more attractive and competitive business environment in SEE.

17 September 2009 | News

First meeting of prominent experts from South East Europe on regional response to economic crisis takes place in Sarajevo under RCC auspices

SARAJEVO – A panel of high-level experts from South East Europe (SEE) met in Sarajevo today to stimulate in depth discussion on regional response to global economic crisis. The first such meeting in the region was held under the auspices of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat.

16 September 2009 | News

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.

15 September 2009 | News

RCC Board discusses situation in South East Europe and praises work of the organization’s Secretariat in Sarajevo

SARAJEVO – The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, presented his latest quarterly report on the activities of the RCC Secretariat to the 29 members of the organization's Board, who gathered in Sarajevo today. The report covers the period between 9 May and 9 September 2009.

16 July 2009 | News

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.

22 May 2009 | News

Regional cooperation needed to address security challenges in South East Europe, defence policy directors agree in Sofia

SOFIA/SARAJEVO – Multinational cooperation is very much needed to address present security challenges in South East Europe (SEE), SEE defence policy directors agreed at a meeting in Sofia today.

21 May 2009 | News

UNODC and Regional Cooperation Council to promote security and justice in South East Europe

VIENNA – Cooperation between the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) was enhanced today with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to build security and the rule of law in South East Europe. A joint priority will be to address the challenges posed by illicit drugs and organized crime in the region.

07 April 2009 | News

RCC-hosted international conference agrees to strengthen efforts in fighting stolen vehicle crime in South East Europe

SARAJEVO, 7 April 2009 – The 5th conference of the Bled Process on Stolen Vehicle Crime agreed in Sarajevo today to strengthen regional efforts in fighting this crime in South East Europe (SEE). The event was co-organized by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat and the Southeast Europe Police Chiefs Association (SEPCA).

06 April 2009 | News

Regional Cooperation Council to host international conference on stolen vehicle crime, in Sarajevo tomorrow

SARAJEVO – The 5th conference of the Bled Process on Stolen Vehicle Crime will take place tomorrow at the premises of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat in Sarajevo. The event is jointly organized by the RCC and the Southeast Europe Police Chiefs Association (SEPCA).

09 December 2008 | News

Establishment of international law enforcement coordination units in Western Balkans launched in Vienna today

VIENNA/SARAJEVO – The opening conference of the EU-funded project to establish the International Law Enforcement Coordination Units (ILECUs) in the Western Balkans was held in Vienna, today, under the auspices of the Austrian Ministry of Interior, relevant Slovenian and Romanian ministries, and the Secretariat of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC).

07 November 2008 | News

Regional cooperation in justice and home affairs indispensible to EU integration of Southeast Europe, says RCC Secretary General

ZAGREB/SARAJEVO – Regional cooperation in fighting organized crime and corruption, reforming judicial system, combating illegal migration, visa liberalization, and strengthening border management are of particular importance for reaching Southeast Europe’s strategic goal of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, said the RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic at the two-day EU-Western Balkans ...

24 October 2008 | News

Zurich conference presents Southeastern and Central Europe Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility to the countries of the region

ZURICH/SARAJEVO – A conference discussing the potential of establishing the Southeastern and Central Europe Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (SECE-CRIF), organized by the World Bank, the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat, and the UN Secretariat of International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR), was held today in Zurich, Switzerland.

12 September 2008 | News

RCC to host first meeting of key Southeast Europe initiatives and international partners on justice and home affairs issues

SARAJEVO – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) will host the first meeting of six regional initiatives and 20 international organizations active in the field of justice and home affairs in the Southeast Europe, in Sarajevo on 15-16 September.