Pristina, 3 December 2025 – Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Amer Kapetanović, took part in the opening of CEFTA Week 2025 in Pristina today, alongside Rozeta Hajdari, Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade and CEFTA Chair-in-Office; Valentina Superti, Director at the European Commission’s DG ENEST; Matej Zakonjšek, Director of the Transport Community; and Pranvera Kastrati, Director of the CEFTA Secretariat.

In his remarks, Kapetanović underlined the importance of RCC-CEFTA cooperation in driving forward the Common Regional Market (CRM) Action Plan and supporting the implementation of the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. He congratulated the Chair-in-Office and CEFTA Secretariat for their work, and welcomed the appointment of Ms. Kastrati as CEFTA Director.

“Regional cooperation works when it delivers practical and measurable results. Together with all our partners, including CEFTA, we are turning CRM commitments into tangible benefits for businesses and citizens, from cheaper communication to smoother trade and stronger digital services. Our citizens and entrepreneurs are telling us clearly: cooperate more, not less; deliver faster, not later,” said Kapetanović.

He highlighted improvements across the region, including record levels of foreign investment, progress on paperless trade, roaming with EU, electronic signatures, and the first SEPA transactions in three RCC participants from the region. He also noted that the upcoming Balkan Barometer 2025 shows citizens' steady support to regional cooperation.

Kapetanović emphasised the development of the CRM Monitoring Tool by RCC, together with partners, which will enable governments, the European Commission, and everyone else to track reforms and increase transparency and accountability.

While in Pristina, the RCC Secretary General also met with acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The discussion focused on advancing CRM implementation and aligning regional efforts with the EU Growth Plan. Kapetanović reaffirmed RCC’s full support to all governments in delivering commitments that bring practical benefits to people and businesses.

CEFTA Week 2025 continues with high-level discussions on competitiveness, digital transformation, and gradual EU market integration.

More info https://cefta.int/news/cefta-week-2025-trading-together-towards-europe/