Skopje – The 10th Regional Security Coordination Conference (“Jumbo”) opened today in Skopje, bringing together ministers, senior officials, and security practitioners from the Western Balkans, Italy, and the European Union to mark a decade of regional cooperation in strengthening shared security and resilience.

Organised by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Ministry of Interior, in partnership with the Government of North Macedonia, this year’s milestone edition celebrates ten years of the region’s most trusted platform for security dialogue and coordination.

The opening session featured welcoming remarks by Amer Kapetanović, RCC Secretary General; Arben Fetai, Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia in charge of Good Governance Policies; Stefano Gambacurta, Deputy Director General of Public Security at the Ministry of Interior of Italy; and Paolo Palminteri, Ambassador of Italy to North Macedonia.

In his opening address, RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanović reflected on the platform’s evolution and impact over the past decade: “Over these ten years, the Jumbo has become much more than a conference, it’s a living network of trust. Together, we have built the region’s most reliable platform for dialogue on security and resilience. Today, our citizens face new threats, from organised crime and corruption to cyber and hybrid risks, but one truth remains unchanged: no one can face them alone. Cooperation is not just a strategic option; it is our only path to safety and stability. Because real security is not measured by weapons or walls, but by the trust and confidence our people place in their institutions.”

Kapetanović also highlighted data from the new edition of yet unpublished RCC’s SecuriMeter survey, noting that while nearly half of Western Balkan citizens feel safe in their communities, corruption remains the top concern for over 80% of respondents, a signal that citizens expect stronger accountability and leadership across the region.

Deputy Prime Minister Fetai underlined North Macedonia’s ongoing commitment to advancing regional cooperation in justice and home affairs, while Deputy Director General Gambacurta and Ambassador Palminteri reaffirmed Italy’s longstanding support for Western Balkans’ security and European integration efforts.

Over the next two days, participants will discuss topics including migration management, organised crime and corruption, and cyber resilience through three parallel working groups, followed by a plenary report-back session on the second day.

Marking its 10th anniversary, the conference continues to serve as a cornerstone of the region’s collective efforts to enhance coordination, exchange best practices, and strengthen the Western Balkans’ contribution to a safer and more stable Europe.

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