Documents & Publications
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE RCC SECRETARY GENERAL 1 June 2024 – 1 June 2025
15 JUNE 2025 | REPORT
The Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) covers the period June 2024 – June 2025. It outlines main RCC activities and achievements in the past year. It also lays out the overall background and crucial developments impacting and shaping the activities of the RCC and the region of South East Europe in the reporting period.
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RCC Secretary General for portal Oslobodjenje
20 MARCH 2025 | ARTICLE
Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General Amer Kapetanovic as part of portal Oslobodjenje's article dubbed The Berlin Process is a bridge to the EU: How much progress have we made?” talked on Berlin Process deliverables, Common Regional Market, Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, region's EU integration path and more.
Download: BS
Secretary General Bregu for RTV Klan's "31 Minuta"
08 JANUARY 2024 | VIDEO INTERVIEW
RTV Klan's show "31 Minuta" featuring Regional Cooperation Council's Secretary General Majlinda Bregu's statement on youth exodus and how much it costs our region, but also on policies to keep our youth in the Western Balkans.
Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council 2022-2023
27 JUNE 2023 | REPORT
This Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) covers the period April 2022 – April 2023. It outlines main RCC activities and achievements in the past year. It also lays out the overall background and crucial developments impacting and shaping the activities of the RCC and the region of South East Europe in the reporting period.
Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council 2022-2023 has been adopted at the SEECP Summit held in Budva on 5 June 2023.
Download: EN
Press Statement by RCC Secretary General, Majlinda Bregu on the occasion of the signing of Roaming Declaration
06 DECEMBER 2022 | VIDEO INTERVIEW
Press Statement by RCC Secretary General, Majlinda Bregu on the occasion of the signing of Roaming Declaration between European Union and Western Balkans telecommunications operators on 6 December 2022 in Tirana.
Speech by RCC Secretary General at the Western Balkans Berlin Summit
03 NOVEMBER 2022 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu spoke at the Western Balkans Berlin Summit, organised within the Berlin Process in German capital on 3 November 2022.
“Though written off as nearly impossible, after trying and nerve-racking two years, the three RCC-coordinated centrepiece mobility agreements finally see the light of day. Today they reach those intended for - our citizens! Much like the ubiquitous impact of the regional roaming agreement and the green lanes, their manifested impact on the ground will be direct and concrete. ” said Majlinda Bregu, RCC Secretary General at the Summit
Anadolu Agency interview with RCC Secretary General dubbed "Bregu: Travel with ID cards in Western Balkans possible from 2023"
31 OCTOBER 2022 | INTERVIEW
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu interview to Anadolu Agency dubbed "Bregu: Travel with ID cards in Western Balkans possible from 2023" on three Western Balkans mobility agreements, when they will enter into force, what are the expected results, and the next steps for the Western Balkans.
Radio Free Europe article dubbed "I Dream of Bihać and Bosnia’: Bosniaks from Prizren waiting to travel to BiH without visas" featuring statement by RCC Secretary General
28 OCTOBER 2022 | ARTICLE
‘I Dream of Bihać and Bosnia’: Bosniaks from Prizren waiting to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina without visas - Radio Slobodna Evropa article on three mobility agreements featuring statements of Western Balkans citizens and RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu.
Bregu: Roaming free regime between the EU and Western Balkans is our next objective
27 OCTOBER 2022 | INTERVIEW
Majlinda Bregu, RCC Secretary General spoke to BiH portal Politicki.ba about three mobility agreements approved by the Western Balkans Foreign Ministers on 21 October 2022 and expected to be signed by Western Balkans leaders on 3 November in Berlin at the Berlin Process Summit:
- Agreement on Freedom of Movement with Identity Cards in the Western Balkans,
- Agreement on Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications and
- Agreement on Recognition of Professional Qualifications for Doctors, Dentists and Architects
Fact sheet: Agreements on Freedom of Movement with Identity Cards, Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications, Recognition of Professional Qualifications for Doctors of Medicine, Dentists and Architects
21 OCTOBER 2022 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
The Western Balkans (WB) Foreign Ministers approved three regional agreements - on Freedom of Movement with Identity Cards, on Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications, and on Recognition of Professional Qualifications for Doctors of Medicine, Dentists and Architects – at the WB-EU ministerial meeting, organised within the Berlin Process by the German Government in Berlin on 21 October 2022.
Balkan Barometer Public Opinion 2022
24 JUNE 2022 | SURVEY
Balkan Barometer Public opinion 2022 is 8th edition of RCC's survey of Western Balkan citizens perceptions. The analysis of the results provides a detailed insight into trends and evolution of the attitudes of thousands of
region’s citizens and businesses across socio-economic-environmental topics affecting their everyday lives.
Since the first edition in 2015 the Balkan Barometer became firmly established as a reliable source of regional data widely employed and referenced by media, business, civil society and decision-makers alike.
Balkan Barometer is commissioned by the RCC and financed by the European Union.
Download: EN
Balkan Barometer Business Opinion 2022
24 JUNE 2022 | SURVEY
2022 edition of the Balkan Barometer- the annual survey of Western Balkan business perceptions. It provides insights into trends and evolution of the attitudes of region’s businesses across socio-economic-environmental topics affecting their everyday lives and business. Balkan Barometer Business Opinion survey presented 177 questions to 1203 business owners, managers, or executives in the period mid February to mid-March 2022.
Balkan Barometer is commissioned by the RCC and financed by the European Union.
Download: EN
Balkan Barometer 2022 - INFOGRAPHICS
24 JUNE 2022 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
BALKAN BAROMETER is an annual survey of public opinion and business sentiments in six Western Balkans economies, commissioned by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), which examines aspirations and expectations on life and work, prevalent socio-economic and political trends & regional and European integration.
BALKAN BAROMETER’S 2022 infographics booklet features some of the defining thoughts of Western Balkans citizens and businesses on prevailing issues facing the region.
The entire BB survey is available at www.rcc.int/balkanbarometer
Download: EN
Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council 2021-2022
10 JUNE 2022 | REPORT
The Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) covers the period April 2021 – April 2022. It outlines main RCC activities and achievements in the past year. It also lays out the overall background and crucial developments impacting and shaping the activities of the RCC and the region of South East Europe in the reporting period.
Download: EN
REGIONAL RESPONSE IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY: RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2023–2025
09 JUNE 2022 | REPORT
The Strategy and Work Programme 2023-2025 ‘Regional Response in Times of Uncertainty’, of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat was endorsed at the RCC Annual Meeting, on 9 June 2022 in Thessaloniki, Greece. The overarching goal of SWP 2023-2025 is to promote the prosperity of South East Europe by supporting sustainable and equitable economic growth policies to enhance regional economic integration, green and digital transformation, while reducing the poverty and narrowing the existing social, economic, and environmental divergences with the European Union.
The SWP 2023-2025 serves as the main mid-term plan to prioritise RCC’s activities in line with RCC’s objectives defined by the Statute and the SEE 2030 Strategy, which focuses on the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through the regional approach.
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HORIZON EUROPE - A Brief Guide for NCPs
12 APRIL 2022 | STUDY
The short guide for National Contact Points (NCPs) in the field of Research & Innovation (R&I) comes at the very beginning of the implementation of the EU programme ‘Horizon Europe’.
‘A Brief Guide’ provides a clear and concise overview of the structure of Horizon Europe, the strategic guidelines and programme objectives, and the allocated budget. In addition, the new concepts of EU Missions and EU Partnerships have been explained concisely. Special emphasis is placed on the simplified presentation of the Rules of Participation and Implementation of Actions in this Programme, which is particularly interesting to NCPs.
It aims to facilitate WB researchers’ assigned roles and enable them to perform their NCP tasks with the ultimate goal of providing high-quality services to the R&I community in the WB. It can also be useful material for other researchers and scientists less experienced with the EU research and innovation programmes to deal with various issues related to the implementation of complex EU projects.
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European Union is Our Future, No Alternative, Interview by RCC Secretary General for Novi Magazin
02 DECEMBER 2021 | INTERVIEW
Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Majlinda Bregu spoke to Serbian Novi Magazin about Western Balkans EU integration, Common Regional Market and Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, region's response to Covid-19 pandemic and much more.
"Weak Western Balkans makes the EU weak too. But a lot is being said each day by both the EU and Western Balkans leaders. The truth is that the enlargement has become a lot more brutal. In times when geostrategic shifts are taking place across the globe, the impasse of Western Balkans EU accession is never a good news. The scale of problems in the Western Balkans is a call to go beyond nudges and patches. Western Balkans is part of Europe, and is of the vital importance in this political realism. The need for Europe is as powerful as it is unsatisfied.", said Bregu, among other things.
Talking Points by Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Majlinda Bregu at Western Balkans Berlin Process Summit
05 JULY 2021 | SPEECH
Talking Points by Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu at the Western Balkans Berlin Process Summit.
Berlin Summit gathered EU representatives and Western Balkans leaders to talk on Regional Cooperation and Common Regional Market.
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RCC Secretary General Introductory remarks on the occasion of the launch of Balkan Barometer 2021
24 JUNE 2021 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu opened the presentation of the 7th edition of RCC's Balkan Barometer.
Balkan Barometer is an annual public and business opinion survey commissioned by the RCC examining Western Balkan citizens and businesses perceptions and expectations towards a variety of thematic areas, such as the EU integration and regional cooperation, digitalisation, green recovery, employment, and for the second year in a row it includes topics concerning a challenging regional COVID-19 induced landscape.
More about the Balkan Barometer can be found here: https://www.rcc.int/balkanbarometer/
Download: EN
Balkan Barometer 2021 - Public Opinion
24 JUNE 2021 | SURVEY
Balkan Barometer 2021 - 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 and regional cooperation, digitalisation, green recovery, employment, and for the second year in a row it includes topics concerning a challenging regional COVID-19 induced landscape.
Download: EN
Balkan Barometer 2021 - INFOGRAPHICS
24 JUNE 2021 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
BALKAN BAROMETER is an annual survey of public opinion and business sentiments in six Western Balkans economies, commissioned by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), which examines aspirations and expectations on life and work, prevalent socio-economic and political trends & regional and European integration.
BALKAN BAROMETER’S 2021 infographics booklet features some of the defining thoughts of Western Balkans citizens and businesses on prevailing issues facing the region.
The entire BB survey is available at www.rcc.int/balkanbarometer
Download: EN
Balkan Barometer Business Opinion
23 JUNE 2021 | SURVEY
Balkan Barometer 2021 - 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 and regional cooperation, digitalisation, green recovery, employment, and for the second year in a row it includes topics concerning a challenging regional COVID-19 induced landscape.
Download: EN
Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council 2020-2021
16 JUNE 2021 | REPORT
This Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) covers the period April 2020 – April 2021. It outlines main RCC activities and achievements in the past year. It also lays out the overall background and crucial developments impacting and shaping the activities of the RCC and the region of South East Europe in the reporting period.
Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council 2020-2021 has been adopted at the SEECP Summit held in Antalya on 17 June 2021. The document was adopted with reservation of Kosovo*.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
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South East Europe Strategy 2030
16 JUNE 2021 | REPORT
The SEE 2030 Strategy is a joint call for action by all 13 SEE economies. The Strategy seeks to promote and advance through regional cooperation the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goals within the SEE region across the three dimensions of sustainable development: Prosperity; People; and Peace and Partnerships.
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Speech of the Secretary General at the Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Platforms on Education and Training & Research and Innovation
02 DECEMBER 2020 | SPEECH
Keynote sppech by the Regional Cooperation Council's (RCC) Secretary General Majlinda Bregu at the Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Platforms on Education and Training & Research and Innovation, held on 2 December 2020 in online format.
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Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the RCC on 1st edition of Balkathon and future plans in an interview for Albanian Business Magazine
10 AUGUST 2020 | INTERVIEW
"Encouraging innovative ideas, promoting digital solutions and creating room for the introduction of new ideas are the daily efforts on the part of RCC, its mindset not only in terms of thinking but also in terms of acting. It goes without saying that Covid-19 did provide an incentive, for instance when realizing how much more the private sector was using digital solutions. The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) found its inspiration for Balkathon in the efforts made by EU Member States and Western Balkan economies to adjust their way of life in light of the new reality, starting off with the printing of 3D masks, the creation of online teaching and learning platforms, the creation of applications that facilitate online shopping, etc."
Report on the preparation of post-2020 Strategy in the Western Balkans
23 JULY 2020 | REPORT
The purpose of this report is to provide input into the development of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s South East Europe (SEE) 2030 Strategy for the Western Balkans (WB). It provides cross-analysis of findings from relevant post-2020 strategies of six Western Balkan economies. Moreover, it provides comparative analysis of linkages between strategic priorities of the Western Balkan economies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also addresses the priorities of the European Commission (2019-2024) and their relevance for the Western Balkans, as well as the interlinkages between the national priorities of the WB6 and EU post strategic 2020 agenda, including information relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, this report provides information on the plans, scope
of work, and priorities of relevant regional organisations and initiatives in the period after 2020 in order to identify opportunities for synergies between them and the RCC and to avoid possible overlaps going forward.
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Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council 2019-2020
25 JUNE 2020 | REPORT
This Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) covers the period April 2019 – April 2020. It outlines main RCC activities and achievements in the past year. It also lays out the overall background and crucial developments impacting and shaping the activities of the RCC and the region of South East Europe in the reporting period.
Download: EN
RCC SG speech at the presentation of Balkan Barometer 2020 on 24 June 2020
24 JUNE 2020 | SPEECH
Introductory remarks by the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Majlinda Bregu on the ocassion of Balkan Barometer 2020 launch held in a form of webinar on 24 June 2020
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BALKAN BAROMETER 2020: PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY
24 JUNE 2020 | SURVEY
Balkan Barometer 2020 - the 6th edition of the annual public opinion survey commissioned by the Regional Cooperation Council to gather and interpret data spanning a number of thematic areas and topics. The Barometer examines the region’s perceptions of today, and its expectations for tomorrow, giving voice to the SEE’s business community as well as its citizens at large.
The Balkan Barometer: Public Opinion Survey carries perceptions of the citizens at large, examining their views of the current situation and future expectations.
Download: EN
BALKAN BAROMETER 2020: BUSINESS OPINION SURVEY
24 JUNE 2020 | SURVEY
Balkan Barometer 2020 - the 6th edition of the RCC of the annual business opinion survey commissioned by the Regional Cooperation Council to gather and interpret data spanning a number of thematic areas and topics. The Barometer examines both the region’s perceptions of today, and its expectations for tomorrow, giving voice to the SEE’s business community as well as its citizens at large.
Download: EN
BALKAN BAROMETER 2020 - INFOGRAPHICS
22 JUNE 2020 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
BALKAN BAROMETER is an annual survey of public opinion and business sentiments in six Western Balkans economies, commissioned by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), which examines aspirations and expectations on life and work, prevalent socio-economic and political trends & regional and European integration.
BALKAN BAROMETER’S 2020 infographics booklet features some of the defining thoughts of Western Balkans citizens and businesses on prevailing issues facing the region.
The entire BB survey is available at www.rcc.int/balkanbarometer
Download: EN
REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE REGIONAL COOPERATION COUNCIL SECRETARIAT
12 MARCH 2020 | REPORT
The Report on the activities of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat is submitted by the RCC Secretary General to the RCC Board in line with Article 15 of the Statute of the RCC. It covers the period between 15 October 2019 – 1 March 2020.
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Report on the preparation of post-2020 Strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina
23 DECEMBER 2019 | REPORT
The study detailed in this report outlines both domestic and international policy frameworks that may present opportunities for embedding the post-2020 priorities for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Due to the complexities of the economy’s constitutional system, the review of relevant domestic instruments includes both national and sub-national structures and documents in an effort to provide an accurate mapping of the relevant policy landscape.
In general, as the study demonstrates in great detail, strategic planning documents in Bosnia and Herzegovina tend to be short on detail and frequently lack verifiable indicators for success as well as the funding needed to implement their lofty goals. This is something that is expected to impact any plans for embedding the post-2020 priorities in national strategic frameworks.
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Report on the preparation of post-2020 Strategy in Kosovo*
23 DECEMBER 2019 | REPORT
This report is a Kosovo*’s contribution to the post 2020 Regional Strategy for the SEE in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that is to be developed by the RCC, along with key regional and international partners, the European Commission, national administrations, civil society, academia, media and private sector. It consists of mapping of mid-term and long-term strategies and the analysis of priorities and national targets with respect to Kosovo*’s post 2020 vision and UN Agenda 2030.
The focus of the report is on Kosovo*’s National Development Strategy (NDS) and its correlation with other strategic planning frameworks namely the Kosovo*’s European integration agenda and the adoption of the acquis. Existing sectoral strategies that span beyond 2020 are also part of the mapping.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
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Report on the preparation of post-2020 Strategy in Montenegro
23 DECEMBER 2019 | REPORT
This report provides information regarding the national post-2020 strategic and other policy-relevant documents in Montenegro. The report provides an overview of the most important strategic objectives and priorities.
The report describes linkages between the specific strategic documents, priorities of the European Union (EU) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also provides an overview of current donor strategic framework support for Montenegro for the forthcoming period.
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Report on the preparation of post-2020 Strategy in North Macedonia
23 DECEMBER 2019 | REPORT
This report provides information regarding the relevant national post-2020 policy and other strategic documents in the Republic of North Macedonia and identifies their objectives/priorities/targets and their relation to the specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are of particular importance for the economy, and other European Union (EU) accession frameworks. It also provides an overview of donor strategic framework support for the North Macedonia for the forthcoming period.
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Report on the preparation of post-2020 Strategy in Serbia
23 DECEMBER 2019 | REPORT
The overall objective of this analysis is to conduct stock taking and identification of the existing mid- and long-term strategies, analyse priorities within the existing strategies, and provide an overview of the quantification of key national targets with respect to post-2020 vision and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through desk-based research and consultations with the representatives of Serbia, both government and non-governmental organisations, and donors and international organisations based in Serbia.
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Report on preparation of post-2020 Strategy in Albania
23 DECEMBER 2019 | REPORT
The report aims to present an analysis of relevant post-2020 strategies in Albania and a detailed analysis of strategic national priorities with respect to the European Commission priorities and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
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Article by Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the RCC: We might not be as competitive as Germany, but we need to counter our fears and ensure mobility of students in the Western Balkans
20 DECEMBER 2019 | ARTICLE
Article by Majlinda Bregu, the RCC Secretary General for Political Trends and Dynamics in Southeast Europe publication of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) about youth in the region and organisation's activities to support full utilisation of this human potential
Youth accounts for over 21% of population in the Western Balkans (WB), or more than 3.5 million in a region of some 18 million people all together. I call this a potential for future, for further strengthening of cooperation, for reconciliation in the region.
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ANNUAL REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MULTI-ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR A REGIONAL ECONOMIC AREA (MAP REA) IN WESTERN BALKANS (WB)
24 SEPTEMBER 2019 | REPORT
The Multi-annual Action Plan (MAP) for a Regional Economic Area (REA) in the Western Balkans Six (WB) helps boost regional economic cooperation through: furthering regional trade integration, enhancing competitiveness and unleashing potentials for growth, promoting the region as an unique space for investment, creating better conditions to ensure free movement of professionals and skilled people, and connecting digitally businesses and citizens.
This report presents key achievements in the implementation of MAP REA in the period 2018-2019
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SOUTH EAST EUROPE 2020: 2019 ANNUAL REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION
22 JULY 2019 | REPORT
The report aims to present main achievements related to the implementation of the South East Europe 2020 Strategy (SEE 2020) for the period from May 2018 until May 2019. It is divided into three main parts: a summary overview of the progress achieved, a detailed review per pillar and key recommendations per each dimension.
The Report was endorsed at the SEE 2020 Governing Board meeting held on 8 July 2019 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2020 –2022
08 JULY 2019 | REPORT
The Strategy and Work Programme 2020-2022 ‘Stepping up the Transformation’, of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat, endorsed at the RCC Annual Meeting, on 8 July 2019 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina aims to enhance socio-economic, digital and human connectivity within South East Europe (SEE), and between the region and the European Union (EU) through strengthened regional cooperation and development of a shared, inclusive and competitive economic space.
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Annual Report on of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) 2018-2019
08 JULY 2019 | REPORT
This Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) covers the period April 2018 – May 2019.
It outlines the main RCC activities and achievements during the past year. It also lays out the overall background and crucial developments impacting and shaping the activities of the RCC and the region of South East Europe in the reporting period. During the reporting period, the RCC has devoted its utmost attention to delivering positive change and facilitating necessary reforms in the region, aimed at speeding up economic convergence with the EU and (re)connecting the Western Balkans economies with the global and EU value chains.
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BALKAN BAROMETER 2019 - INFOGRAPHICS
04 JULY 2019 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
BALKAN BAROMETER is an annual survey of public opinion and business sentiments in six Western Balkans economies, commissioned by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), which examines aspirations and expectations on life and work, prevalent socio-economic and political trends & regional and European integration.
BALKAN BAROMETER’S 2019 infographics booklet features some of the defining thoughts of citizens and businesses on prevailing issues facing the region.
The entire BB survey is available at http://www.rcc.int/seeds
Download: EN
BALKAN BAROMETER 2019: BUSINESS OPINION SURVEY
03 JULY 2019 | SURVEY
Balkan Barometer 2019, the fifth instalment of the RCC-commissioned annual survey of regional perceptions and attitudes across a wide array of social, political and economic factors impacting life in South East Europe (SEE), is modestly optimistic. It shows growing support for EU membership with more than half of all respondents viewing EU accession favourably, a first since the Barometer’s inception in 2015. Regional cooperation continues to be important to an overwhelming majority of respondents. Overall, the region has grown more positive both about its present situation as well as its outlook for the future, indicating a growing level of confidence in the financial stability of the six SEE economies.
The Balkan Barometer: Business Opinion Survey gives voice to the SEE’s business community, examining both their perceptions of today as well as expectations of tomorrow.
Download: EN
BALKAN BAROMETER 2019: PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY
03 JULY 2019 | SURVEY
Balkan Barometer 2019, the fifth instalment of the RCC-commissioned annual survey of regional perceptions and attitudes across a wide array of social, political and economic factors impacting life in South East Europe (SEE), is modestly optimistic. It shows growing support for EU membership with more than half of all respondents viewing EU accession favourably, a first since the Barometer’s inception in 2015. Regional cooperation continues to be important to an overwhelming majority of respondents. Overall, the region has grown more positive both about its present situation as well as its outlook for the future, indicating a growing level of confidence in the financial stability of the six SEE economies.
The Balkan Barometer: Public Opinion Survey carries perceptions of the citizens at large, examining their views of the current situation and future expectations.
Download: EN
Regional cooperation is becoming a steady pattern to EU’s magnetic attraction
02 JULY 2019 | INTERVIEW
The article of the RCC's Secretary General, Majlinda Bregu tackles anticipations of the Berlin Process's Western Balkans Summit in Poznan, Poland, staring on 4 July 2019.
Summing the expectations up, Secretary General Bregu writes: On 1st of July, Roaming Reductions arrived. On 4th of July, the Western Balkans summit in Poznan will start. EU is a magnetic attraction, while regional cooperation is becoming a steady pattern. For the future, let’s look into the past because the unsavoury one is still a threat! But REA has a clear status with togetherness at its core. Let’s give REA and regional cooperation the force to chart a sustainable long term Western Balkan reconciliation! Through economy, lifting all existing barriers!
Abridged Report on Implementation of MAP REA, July-December 2018
31 DECEMBER 2018 | REPORT
This report presents the key developments during July-December 2018 along the four components of Multi-annual Action Plan on Regional Economic Area (MAP REA) in the Western Balkans Six (WB6), capturing progress and highlighting the most important milestones. The report is prepared by RCC based on the inputs and reporting delivered by WB6 in several meetings (i.e. MAP REA Coordinators’ meeting, WB6 PM Sherpas’ meeting, etc.).
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Chairs' conclusions of the Economy Ministers' Meeting of the London Western Balkans Summit 2018
18 JULY 2018 | MEETING DOCUMENT
The participants of the Economy Ministers Meeting of the Berlin Process met in Vienna on 4 July and issued the conclusions presented in the document. The meeting built on the achievements of previous Berlin Process Summits, the recent European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Western Balkans Investment Summit,
and the Skopje Digital Summit.
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Initial Statement on the Horizon Europe Proposal by Western Balkan Six
17 JULY 2018 | DECLARATION/DECISION
The Initial Statement on the Horizon Europe Proposal represents the initial joint position of Ministries responsible for Science of the Western Balkan Six on the European Commission proposal for Horizon Europe. The preparation of the Statement has been facilitated by the Regional Cooperation Council which was tasked to communicate the Statement to the relevant European Institutions.
Download: EN
BALKAN BAROMETER 2018 - INFOGRAPHICS
06 JULY 2018 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
BALKAN BAROMETER 2018 booklet features the prevailing issues of the Balkan Barometer (BB) 2018 survey through infographics. The 2018 edition of BB is yet another instalment in the series of annual public opinion surveys commissioned by the Regional Cooperation Council. The entire BB survey is available at http://www.rcc.int/seeds
Download: EN
BALKAN BAROMETER 2018: BUSINESS OPINION SURVEY
06 JULY 2018 | SURVEY
2018 Balkan Barometer is the fourth instalment of the annual public opinion survey commissioned by the Regional Cooperation Council to gather and interpret data spanning a number of thematic areas and topics. The Barometer, as in previous years, examines both the region’s perceptions of today, and its expectations for tomorrow, giving voice to the SEE’s business community as well as its citizens at large.
Download: EN
BALKAN BAROMETER 2018: PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY
06 JULY 2018 | SURVEY
2018 Balkan Barometer is the fourth instalment of the annual public opinion survey commissioned by the Regional Cooperation Council to gather and interpret data spanning a number of thematic areas and topics. The Barometer, as in previous years, examines both the region’s perceptions of today, and its expectations for tomorrow, giving voice to the SEE’s business community as well as its citizens at large.
Download: EN
Annual Report on Implementation of the Multi-Annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area (MAP REA) in Western Balkan Six (WB6)
03 JULY 2018 | REPORT
The Multi-annual Action Plan (MAP) for a Regional Economic Area (REA) in the Western Balkans Six (WB6), endorsed at the Trieste Summit of 12 July 2017, puts forward a strategic joint agenda for the Western Balkan economies to further regional economic cooperation with a view to unleash the potentials for growth, create conditions for better, transparent and predictable investment climate and improve the overall economic competitiveness of the WB6 economies. The actions introduced in the MAP REA are expected to be implemented until 2020, with some extensions until 2023, focusing on four key components: Trade, Investment, Mobility and Digital Integration.
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Brochure: Implementation of the Multi-Annual Plan for a Regional Economic Area (MAP REA)
03 JULY 2018 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
Brochure: Implementation of the Multi-Annual Plan for a Regional Economic Area (MAP REA): Economies at a Glance>State of Play and Way Forward
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MAP Stocktaking and Needs Assessment Report
19 JUNE 2018 | REPORT
The overall aim of the Multi-Annual Action Plan (MAP) Stocktaking and Needs Assessment Report is to take stock of the measures and resources needed to implement the key objectives set out in the MAP and recommend future actions, both at economy and regional level. The report identifies the major policy gaps and needs, including assistance through bilateral or regional projects, and proposes a set of measures needed to overcome them with a view to effective and timely implementation of the MAP as a whole.
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Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council 2017-2018
23 APRIL 2018 | REPORT
This Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) covers the period 1 April 2017 – 15 March 2018. It outlines main RCC activities and achievements in the past year. It also lays out the overall background and crucial developments impacting and shaping the activities of the RCC and the region of South East Europe in the reporting period.
Download: EN
SEE 2020 Programming Document 2018-2020
13 MARCH 2018 | MEETING DOCUMENT
The RCC South East Europe (SEE) 2020 Strategy Programing Committee adopted the SEE 2020 Programming Document 2018-2020 at its 6th meeting on 12 March 2017 in Brussels. The document sets out the priority actions for the Strategy implementation in the coming period.
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Conclusions from the Sixth Meeting of the SEE 2020 Programming Committee
12 MARCH 2018 | MEETING DOCUMENT
The sixth meeting of the SEE 2020 Programming Committee was held in Brussels on 12 March 2018 back to back with the Fourth Meeting on Donor Coordination in the Western Balkans. The aim of the meeting was to discuss and potentially endorse the SEE2020 Programming document for the period 2018 – 2020. The meeting gathered representatives of the South East Europe’s (SEE) economies participating in implementation SEE 2020 Strategy, including representatives from the Offices of the National IPA Coordinators (NIPAC Offices), SEE2020 National Coordinators and representatives from the institutions responsible for aid coordination.
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Agenda of the Sixth Meeting of the SEE 2020 Programming Committee
12 MARCH 2018 | MEETING DOCUMENT
Agenda of the Sixth Meeting of the SEE 2020 Programming Committee held in Brussels on 12 March 2018
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List of participants of the Sixth Meeting of the SEE 2020 Programming Committee
12 MARCH 2018 | MEETING DOCUMENT
List of participants of the Sixth Meeting of the SEE 2020 Programming Committee held in Brussels on 12 March 2018
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Labour Markets in the Western Balkans: Performance, Causes and Policy Options
21 FEBRUARY 2018 | REPORT
The report is an analysis of trends in the Western Balkan Six labour markets since 2010 and provides recommendations for improving labour markets’ conditions. It focuses on conditions for job creation and factors leading to the employment problems of the region. This is a joint endeavor of researchers from the region and is the first comparative analysis of this kind covering recent years and made available to the regional and international audience in the English language.
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Leaflet on Multi-annual Action Plan on a Regional Economic Area in the Western Balkans - MAP
04 DECEMBER 2017 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
The leaders of Western Balkans Six (WB6) endorsed the Multi-annual Action Plan on a Regional Economic Area in the Western Balkans (MAP), at the Berlin-process summit held on 12 July 2017 in Trieste.
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BALKAN BAROMETER 2017: BUSINESS OPINION SURVEY
09 OCTOBER 2017 | SURVEY
The 2017 edition of BALKAN BAROMETER (BB) is yet another instalment in the series of annual public opinion surveys commissioned by the Regional Cooperation Council. It collects and analyses data across a host of thematic areas, examining aspirations and expectations of the region's populations and its business community on life and work, prevalent socio-economic and political trends as well as regional and European integration, among others. Balkan Barometer Business Opinion Survey conducted by GfK, among 16800 companies in the course of 2016 throughout our part of Europe, is an easy-to-access source of information. The RCC website www.rcc.int permits download of the publication as well as its datasets which are easily searchable.
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BALKAN BAROMETER 2017: PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY
09 OCTOBER 2017 | SURVEY
The 2017 edition of BALKAN BAROMETER (BB) is yet another instalment in the series of annual public opinion surveys commissioned by the Regional Cooperation Council. It collects and analyses data across a host of thematic areas, examining aspirations and expectations of the region's populations and its business community on life and work, prevalent socio-economic and political trends as well as regional and European integration, among others. Balkan Barometer Public Opinion Survey conducted by GfK, among 8000 citizens in the course of 2016 throughout our part of Europe, is an easy-to-access source of information. The RCC website www.rcc.int permits download of the publication as well as its datasets which are easily searchable.
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Multi-annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area in the Western Balkans Six
12 JULY 2017 | MEETING DOCUMENT
The leaders of Western Balkans Six (WB6) endorsed the Multi-annual Action Plan on a Regional Economic Area in the Western Balkans (MAP), prepared by the RCC, at the Berlin Process summit on 12 July 2017, in Trieste, Italy . The RCC has been tasked to monitor and inform on the progress achieved in MAP implementation.
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Infographics - SOUTH EAST EUROPE 2020: 2017 ANNUAL REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION
28 JUNE 2017 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
This publication shows the most catching results in implementation of the SEE 2020 Strategy until December 2016 through Infographics. For full information where the SEE is when it comes to implementation of the SEE 2020 strategy, please check the South East Europe 2020: 2017 Annual Report on Implementation.
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Skills and Mobility
06 APRIL 2017 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
Brochure on RCC’s flagship ‘Skills and Mobility’, featuring goals, results, and actions of the organization in this area to be taken in the forthcoming period. The Regional Cooperation Council is working towards globally competitive base of knowledge and skills in South East Europe; unhindered movement of people, students, researchers and workforce, allowing for increased employment opportunities and creation of new jobs.
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SEE 2020 Programming Document 2017-2019
17 MARCH 2017 | MEETING DOCUMENT
The RCC South East Europe (SEE) 2020 Strategy Programing Committee adopted the SEE 2020 Programming Document 2017-2019 at its 5th meeting on 15 March 2017 in Sarajevo. The document sets out the priority actions for the Strategy implementation in the coming period.
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Balkan Barometer 2016, Infographics, pocket edition
10 NOVEMBER 2016 | SURVEY
Balkan Barometer 2016 edition is a comprehensive survey commissioned by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) on attitudes, experiences and perceptions of the general public and business community in South East Europe on various economic, social, political and cultural issues. It is an integral part of the annual monitoring process of the SEE2020 Strategy. Balkan Barometer pocket edition reveals the main thoughts of people and businesses on burning issues facing our economies, through infographics. This survey, conducted by GfK, among 8000 citizens and 1800 companies through our part of Europe, is an easy-to-access source of information. The RCC website www.rcc.int permits download of both components of the Balkan Barometer - Public Opinion Survey and Business Opinion Survey - as well as their datasets which are easily searchable. Check it out at: http://www.rcc.int/seeds/results/2/balkan-opinion-barometer and http://www.rcc.int/seeds/results/3/balkan-business-barometer
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Balkan Barometer 2016: Public Opinion Survey
21 JUNE 2016 | SURVEY
The Balkan Barometer, published for the first time in 2015, surveys 7,000 citizens and 1,400 businesses in seven SEE economies, on a wide range of issues dealing with the political, socio-economic, business and investment climate, infrastructure, rule of law and other developments in the region. This year’s survey also includes select information on Moldova and Slovenia, giving a wider overview of the South East European region. The Balkan Barometer 2016 is published in two volumes: The Public Opinion Survey, detailing the citizens’ attitudes, and the Business Opinion Survey, summarizing the business sentiments. The research and publications have been prepared and developed in cooperation between the RCC and the GfK, one of the world’s largest market research institutes.
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Balkan Barometer 2016: Business Opinion Survey
21 JUNE 2016 | SURVEY
The Balkan Barometer, published for the first time in 2015, surveys 7,000 citizens and 1,400 businesses in seven SEE economies, on a wide range of issues dealing with the political, socio-economic, business and investment climate, infrastructure, rule of law and other developments in the region. This year’s survey also includes select information on Moldova and Slovenia, giving a wider overview of the South East European region. The Balkan Barometer 2016 is published in two volumes: The Public Opinion Survey, detailing the citizens’ attitudes, and the Business Opinion Survey, summarizing the business sentiments. The research and publications have been prepared and developed in cooperation between the RCC and the GfK, one of the world’s largest market research institutes.
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Balkan Business Barometer 2015
06 MAY 2015 | SURVEY
The report presents the results of the RCC-commissioned survey of business sentiment in SEE on crucial economic and development issues, intended to engage more closely the business community in context of the RCC’s SEE 2020 Strategy. The survey was carried out in December 2014 by GfK, and was conducted face to face with 1400 companies of different size and different business areas, which are not majority-owned by the state or government, in all seven economies covered by the Strategy.
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Balkan Opinion Barometer 2015
06 MAY 2015 | SURVEY
The report presents the results of the RCC-commissioned survey of public opinion of SEE citizens on crucial economic and development issues, intended to engage more closely the general public in context of the RCC’s SEE 2020 Strategy. The survey was carried out in December 2014 by GfK, and was conducted face to face with 7000 respondents, in all seven economies covered by the Strategy.
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Labour Mobility as a Factor of Development in South-East Europe
25 MARCH 2015 | STUDY
This study is a result of a strategic partnership between the Regional Cooperation
Council (RCC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). It aims
to inform the regional consultative process on enhancing labour mobility in the
region.
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South East Europe 2020 strategy
21 NOVEMBER 2013 | REPORT
The goal of the South East Europe (SEE) 2020 strategy of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), is to improve living conditions in the region and bring competitiveness and development back in focus, closely following the vision of the EU strategy Europe 2020. It stresses out the shared vision of the SEE economies to open up to 1 million new jobs by 2020, by enabling employment growth from 39% to 44%, increase of total regional trade turnover by more than double from 94 to 210 billion euro, the rise of the region’s GDP per capita from current 36% to 44% of the EU average, and the addition of 300,000 highly qualified people to the workforce.
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