02 April 2024 | News

2023 nominations open!

Sarajevo/Vienna – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria (BMEIA) have the pleasure to invite you to nominate an organisation or an individual from South East Europe for the 2023 Champion of Regional Cooperation Dr Erhard Busek Award.

27 March 2024 | News

Common Regional Market region's vehicle to EU Single Market

Skopje – Ministers of European Affairs of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) expressed their commitment to the continuation of efforts in two important strategic agendas in our region: the Common Regional Market (CRM) for the Western Balkans aligned with the New Growth Plan for the region, and the South East Europe (SEE) 2030 Strategy, at their meeting held in Skopje ...

18 March 2024 | News

RCC to provide one scholarship for College of Europe Tirana as of 2024

Sarajevo – The participants of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Board approved the Report of the RCC Secretary General, Majlinda Bregu, on the activities of the organisation in the period November 2023 – February 2024, and commended the work of RCC, confirming their full approval of the forthcoming phase's planned activities, at the 51st Board meeting, held online today. ...

12 March 2024 | News

RCC announces Western Balkans Women Entrepreneurs of the Year for 2023

Sarajevo - Western Balkans Women Entrepreneurs of the Year for 2023 are: Rigerta Loku - Green Woman Entrepreneur; Ilda Humić - Social Star Woman Entrepreneur; Hana Qerimi - Young Woman Entrepreneur; Nikolina Kovačević - Tourism Woman Entrepreneur; Irena Chaushevska Danilovska - ICT Woman Entrepreneur; and Marija Ivanković Jurišić - Artistic Woman Entrepreneur; as announced at ...

29 February 2024 | News

Bregu: The time is ticking on defining the future of our region

Tirana - In a Joint Statement issued at the Growth and Convergence for the Western Balkans Six Conference held in Tirana today the Leaders of the Western Balkans Six (WB6) commended the work of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), underscored the region's commitment to integration and emphasized enhanced cooperation with the EU.

08 February 2024 | News

Bregu: Circular economy can create jobs and unlock economic opportunities

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) launched the Western Balkans Green and Circular Economy Stakeholders Platform, consisting of government, business, donor, and CSO representatives, at a high-level meeting taking place in Pristina today. 

22 January 2024 | News

New Phase of the Common Regional Market to Be Ready for Leaders' Endorsement at the Next Berlin Process Summit

Skopje - The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Majlinda Bregu, took part in the Western Balkans Meets EU, a WB leaders' meeting in Skopje today. The meeting dedicated to the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans has been hosted by the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovachevski. 

21 November 2023 | News

RCC Secretary General meets Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister in Chisinau

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General Majlinda Bregu was in a visit to Moldova today where she met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Nicu Popescu, to discuss the EU integration of the region and Moldova’s role in the South East Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP) and the RCC. 

13 October 2023 | News

Bregu: Role of Parliaments in the Berlin Process is to transform the pledges to reality

Tirana - "The ultimate legal responsibility in the ratification process of most of regional agreements and commitments lies with the parliaments. This once again makes evident the need for stronger engagement of Parliaments in this process, not only to formally add to its democratic legitimacy but to transform the pledges in reality through the ratification process of regional agreements ...

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 ...

30 March 2023 | News

Bregu: Region should remain steadfast on sustainable, green transition and decarbonisation path

“The Green Agenda for the Western Balkans is a dynamic and evolving initiative that, like a living organism, requires collective efforts of both the governmental and non-governmental sectors to nurture, grow and shape towards a sustainable plan for the future. In a developing region, such as ours, the concerns are related to daily life, and this makes it more difficult to think about ...

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, ...

09 June 2022 | News

Bregu: As long as we continue to subscribe to dialogue, compromise and cooperation, we invest in long-term stability, security and prosperity

Thessaloniki – “Under the political guidance of SEECP and in consultations with all relevant actors and stakeholders, RCC identified those gaps in which the region should invest with technical as well as political capital. These all fall under the category of sustainable development, green and digital transformation, pooling of knowledge and resources, and enhancing inclusivity. ...

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 ...

15 November 2021 | News

Bregu: The antidote to slowing down EU enlargement process is more ambitious integration of Western Balkans in the EU single market policies

Brussels/Sarajevo: “European perspective of the Western Balkans is the drive that makes the process of cooperation beneficial to all in the long-term. I believe EU has all the leverage needed to keep the EU perspective in WB alive. Without a credible path to EU membership, the WB could easily succumb to regional nationalism” said Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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. ...

19 May 2021 | News

Bregu: Regional cooperation with clear, targeted goals and meeting deliverables is more urgent than ever

Sarajevo/Tirana–“Regional cooperation with clear, targeted goals and meeting deliverables is more urgent than ever. Establishing a Common Regional Market which will attract investors, support real added value of industries, promote innovation, ensure digitalization and bring the Western Balkans closer to the EU standards, will smoothen recovery and enhance resilience to future ...

14 April 2021 | News

Bregu, Grlic-Radman discuss South East Europe Strategy 2030 and Green Lanes between EU and WB

Sarajevo – The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Majlinda Bregu, welcomed the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia, Gordan Grlić-Radman, at the organisation’s headquarters in Sarajevo today. 

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 ...

07 December 2020 | News

‘Regional cooperation’ and ‘regional integration’ are the two sides of the same coin

Brussels/Sarajevo - "‘Regional cooperation’ and ‘regional integration’ are the two sides of the same coin. Integrating markets might be more of a process of EU integration. But regional cooperation is more than integrating markets. It is a political process. That is why the Common Regional Market Action Plan, signed by WB6 leaders in Sofia last month, is a good ...

28 August 2020 | News

What would we expect from a more geopolitical EU?

Bratislava/Tirana/Sarajevo – “What would we expect from a more geopolitical EU? Simple: Clear and bold decisions to acknowledge the good of having Western Balkans in the EU as well as the damage associated with long prolong EU membership. Western Balkans citizens would expect more resilient and righteous decisions from EU Member States. Their domestic political landscape and worries often ...

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).

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 ...

06 May 2020 | News

Bregu: No brilliant regional plan can succeed without strong political leadership and fully synchronized EU- WB trajectories

Sarajevo/Tirana/Zagreb - Now, almost 4 years after we initiated the work on Regional Economic Area (REA) the region is ready to embark on the next phase of deepening regional economic cooperation assure the WB6 economies to have ownership first, and bringing the region closer to the EU internal market. While it is my pleasure to officially commit today the full readiness and dedication ...

24 March 2020 | News

Statement by RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu on EU Member States’ decision to open negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia

Tirana/Sarajevo – “Good news for us today as the EU Member States reached a long overdue political agreement to open the accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia, confirming that the future of the Western Balkans is in Europe. I wholeheartedly congratulate both Albania and North Macedonia which demonstrated their determination to advance the EU reform agenda and continue ...

23 March 2020 | News

On its way - Green Corridor enabling easy supply of goods within the Western Balkans and between the region and the European Union

Sarajevo – On the initiative of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), representatives of the Governments from South East Europe, European Union (EU) and regional stakeholders are working on the establishment of the Green Corridor within the region and between the Western Balkans (WB) and the EU. The Corridor is envisaged as a set of special procedures that would enable unhindered ...

18 March 2020 | News

Bregu: Cooperation is crucial in having effective response to fight the pandemic

Sarajevo – “These are days of rapid developments by a minute, both at the level of EU and our region and timing, information sharing and coordination is of essence. Cooperation is crucial in having the effective response to fight the pandemic. 

10 February 2020 | News

Bregu: Regional cooperation is all about joint solutions to common challenges

10 February 2020 | News

Kapetanovic: The art of diplomacy is finding functional solutions for real-life issues

Pristina – “There are achievements, success stories, but there are also bilateral disputes in our region as well as a lot of mistrust and suspicion. Bilateralism sometimes threatens to diminish regionalism. But what is the art of diplomacy if not finding a way to work around disputes to find a functional solution to concrete, real-life issues which we face? We can find an alternative ...

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.  

30 January 2020 | News

RCC Secretary General Bregu meets Commissioners Varhelyi and Gabriel in Brussels: RCC remains reliable EU partner in the region

Brussels – “2020 is a critical year for the region and mutual relations between the EU and the Western Balkans but also for unhindered economic growth. RCC remains a reliable partner of the EU in the region but also a reliable partner of the region in the EU. We all have high hopes and expectations of new, positive developments during the Croatian Presidency of the EU and the upcoming ...

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 ...

27 December 2019 | News

Bregu: I am gratified that during the leaving year regional cooperation delivered, even under stress

Sarajevo  - At the end of 2019, it is time to wrap up the year, summing up activities of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and announcing our future plans: Here is the statement of our Secretary General, Majlinda Bregu on this occasion: 

25 December 2019 | News

RCC fully committed to regional cooperation

Sarajevo – There have been many discrepancies and a lack of clear information on the role of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in the so called “Mini-Schengen” initiative meetings. Regional Cooperation Council is invited to “Mini-Schengen” meetings together with EU, USA, WB, EBRD & EIB, to hear the proposals of the Western Balkan (WB) leaders.

21 December 2019 | News

Bregu: Pleased to see that Western Balkans regional initiative focuses on people and clearly outlines EU integration as its final goal

Tirana – “We at the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) are pleased to see that this regional initiative places primary focus on people, particularly that it clearly outlines our ultimate destination – the European Union (EU). We also welcome ambitious list for the next meeting already in January 2020, especially in the part on the framework agreement allowing citizens to live, ...

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 ...

03 December 2019 | News

Bregu: It’s time to come with a clear stand on the accession process of the Western Balkans

Brussels – “Time to end pretence!  EU should honour its Treaty and come with a clear stand on the accession process of the Western Balkans. Thanks to the new EU Commission president  Ursula von der for clearly articulating the vision of Europe as a continent. We hope this will be the goal and approach of all EU Member States. And we in the region need to roll up our ...

21 November 2019 | News

Bregu: Demographic trends in the Western Balkans and the EU are the best illustration of the real aspirations and needs of the citizens

Zagreb – “Both Europe and Western Balkans are changing demographically, frequently as a model of ‘sending’ and ‘receiving’ countries, as most of around 230,000 citizens have legally migrated from the region to the EU in 2018 alone, while more than 5 million (or 1/4 of the actual population) have migrated in the last 7 years. With young people these figures are even higher: although ...

19 November 2019 | News

Bregu: The region vests high hopes in the upcoming Croatian Presidency of the EU Council in 2020

Zagreb – “Priorities of the Croatian 6-month Presidency of the European Union (EU) Council beginning in January 2020 stressing the usage of full potential of infrastructure and human resources, connectivity and networking of the economies, mesh well with the regional cooperation goals set in our Regional Economic Area action plan (MAP REA). Western Balkan economies expect a lot of ...

12 November 2019 | News

Bregu: For us at RCC, the Regional Cooperation is a Developing Story

Sarajevo – “We have been asked and received a lot of questions on Novi Sad and Ohrid meetings, the so called “mini-Schengen” and our role in this.

10 November 2019 | News

Bregu: RCC supports all initiatives contributing towards EU ‘single market’-like agenda for Western Balkans

Ohrid – “The Regional Cooperation Council supports all initiatives that contribute towards an EU ‘single market’-like agenda for our region, based on the four freedoms. The initiatives should fully mirror the EU models and in such a way represent a stepping stone to our full EU integration”, said Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General Majlinda Bregu ...

30 October 2019 | News

Bregu: While waiting for EU plans for the region, we should focus on connectivity through regional cooperation and serious domestic reforms

Tirana – “Instead of having a focused discussion on Connectivity agenda and how much out of the 1 billion euro of the European Union’s (EU) grants from 2015 to 2020 was spent or how important connecting people and markets in the region is, etc. this October, this meeting included, the region is re-focused to its EU prospects and answering the “What comes next?” question”, ...

18 October 2019 | News

Bregu: Air pollution biggest environmental threat to health in WB – EU should consider this as ‘Fundamentals First’- air pollution knows no borders

Belgrade – „Six cities in the Western Balkans (WB) are among the top 20 cities with the highest air pollution in the world, and air pollution is the single biggest environmental threat to human health. Cancer and tumor, the most serious health concerns in the region, are linked with the air pollution. This speaks volumes on prioritising citizens’ health when considering ...

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 ...

07 October 2019 | News

Bregu: Whenever there is a political will, things in the region move forward

Salzburg – “Keeping the regional cooperation alive is a task that is easier said than done. For example, we had a very good, successful, story in the digital component of the Regional Economic Area in the Western Balkans – Regional Roaming Agreement, which confirmed that whenever there is a political will, things in the region move forward. Unlike that, agreement on mobility of professionals ...

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 ...

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 ...

03 September 2019 | News

European Union will always be an unfinished business without the Western Balkans

Bled – „European Union will always be an unfinished business without the Western Balkans. The price for stagnation and postponing further the decision on the opening of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia is, in short, a risk. The non opening would bread instability, immigration, unconstructive influence of other geopolitical actors. Any positive moment can precipitate ...

09 July 2019 | News

SEECP leaders praise RCC, entrust it to pursue connectivity agenda of the region and prepare region’s strategy beyond 2020

Sarajevo – “By thanking Bosnia and Herzegovina for excellent cooperation in the past year of their Chairmanship-in-Office (C-i-O) of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), their contribution in leading and advancing regional cooperation through the SEECP framework, I would like to congratulate the incoming C-i-O by Kosovo, looking forward to continue working together ...

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 ...

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 ...

13 June 2019 | News

Bregu: Progress achieved by Western Balkans’ EU aspirants now calls for the European Union’s concrete and fast action

Berlin – “It is not just about enlargement any longer but rather about unification of Europe because the European Union (EU) without Western Balkans (WB) is incomplete. This region is Unions geostrategic interest zone. On the other hand, coming from the region, I would like to see the Western Balkans taking strong ownership of the regional cooperation, so it would work and move together ...

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 ...

07 June 2019 | News

Bregu: EU will never be complete without Western Balkans - let’s move from “geopoetics” to geopolitics

Bratislava – “The EU without the Western Balkans will never be complete. But it cannot assume that business as usual will provide stability in the Western Balkans. It should take a much more political and strategic approach in the region. Let’s move from “geopoetics” to geopolitics. The EU must be ready to realistically make the Western Balkans its geopolitical priority and ...

27 May 2019 | News

Bregu: Investing in human capital paves the way towards economic development of the region

Istanbul – “Much needed sustainable transformation of the region into a knowledge-based economy with equal opportunities for all citizens is a comprehensive agenda. It combines innovation, research and development, education, employment and social inclusion policies. We cannot continue focusing on economic growth strategy without addressing the Human Capital Development”, said Majlinda Bregu, ...

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 ...

16 May 2019 | News

RCC Board meets: RCC stands ready to firmly push the integrative agenda and the European narrative forward

Sarajevo – “It is stock-taking time, to see what the RCC has been doing, both the accomplishments and the effects of the regional cooperation process on the people in the region, with many of the most pressing issues in the Western Balkans embedded in our work”, said Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Majlinda Bregu opening the 37th Board meeting ...

22 March 2019 | News

Bregu: Western Balkans should be EU’s geopolitical priority, but WB must outdo itself to become quality EU integration partner

Sarajevo – The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Majlinda Bregu took part in the informal meeting of the Working Party on the Western Balkans Region (COWEB) in Sarajevo today, convened by the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), in cooperation with the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Chairmanship-in-Office (CiO) held by ...

15 March 2019 | News

Bregu: Challenges in front of us in enhancing regional cooperation in time of uncertainty, will be even bigger

Sarajevo – Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Majlinda Bregu, for the first time since the inception of the duty, chaired the meeting of the organisation’s Board at the RCC Secretariat offices in Sarajevo, yesterday. 

14 March 2019 | News

Bregu: Politics should act to the citizens’ concerns and deliver fast

Sarajevo – Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) paid an official visit to Milorad Dodik, Chairman of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency, in Sarajevo today.

12 March 2019 | News

Bregu, Zvizdic discuss Western Balkans’ progress towards regional economic area

28 February 2019 | News

Turdiu: Young diplomats are the leaders of tomorrow and promoters of our region to the EU and the world

Sarajevo – The Regional Cooperation Council, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, organized training for the region’s young diplomats from South East Europe, in Sarajevo today. 

22 February 2019 | News

RCC Bregu: We will keep pushing the region for concrete deliverables by Poznan summit

Podgorica – On the second day of her visit to Montenegro, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Majlinda Bregu met with the Speaker of the Parliament, Ivan Brajović, Prime Minister, Duško Marković,  Minister of Foreign Affairs  Srđan Darmanović,  and Minister of Economy, Dragica Sekulić.

21 February 2019 | News

RCC Bregu: Western Balkans is on the move, to step up reforms and strengthen regional cooperation

Podgorica - Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) started her consultations in Podgorica today by meeting Milo Đukanović, President of Montenegro.  

05 February 2019 | News

Bregu: Practical and effective discussion on the need for credible regional cooperation

Belgrade - Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Majlinda Bregu met with the Prime Minister of Serbia, Ana Brnabić, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ivica Dačić, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, Rasim Ljajić, and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Veroljub Arsić.

04 February 2019 | News

Bregu: Mutual interests to lead the way on the Western Balkans’ European path

Belgrade – At the beginning of the two-day official visit to Belgrade, the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Majlinda Bregu met with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, today. 

03 February 2019 | News

Bregu: 2019 is “a year of delivery” - citizens of the Western Balkans expect more

Tirana – The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Majlinda Bregu, was in an official visit to Tirana where she met with the President of Albania, Illir Meta, Minister of Finance and Economy, Anila Denaj, Minister of Education, Sport and Youth, Besa Shahini, Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Gent Cakaj. 

31 January 2019 | News

Domestic reforms and regional cooperation - the two preconditions for economic development of the region

Brussels – Sustainable economic growth and development of the Western Balkans (WB) was in the focus of gathering of representatives of EU institutions, diplomatic missions, think tanks, non-governmental and business organizations, organized by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in cooperation with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung’s (FES) EU Office, at the RCC Liaison Office in Brussels ...

29 January 2019 | News

RCC SG Bregu: European integration of Western Balkans is not a territorial, but transformational agenda

Vienna – “European integration of Western Balkans is not a territorial agenda. It is a transformational agenda, which in the broader orientation towards fundamental European values has worked. The EU has been the single most important leverage in the region to promote democracy, rule of law, respect for human rights and minorities. EU’s enlargement policy has for fact delivered in shaping ...

22 January 2019 | News

RCC’s Majlinda Bregu: Skopje gives a tailwind for the entire region

Skopje – The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Majlinda Bregu, was in an official visit to Skopje in the past two days where she met with the President of the Assembly, Talat Dzaferi; Prime Minister, Zoran Zaev; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs, Bujar Osmani; Deputy Prime Minister responsible for economic affairs and coordination with the ...

18 January 2019 | News

Secretary General Bregu: Inter-connected, we will push each other forward

Pristina – Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Majlinda Bregu, visited Pristina today and met with the Speaker of the Parliament Kadri Veseli, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Behgjet Pacolli, and Minister of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Besim Beqaj. 

09 January 2019 | News

RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu pays the first official visit to Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo – Majlinda Bregu, the new Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), met with Sefik Dzaferovic, one of the three members of Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Sarajevo today. This is the first meeting organised of envisaged tour of visits that RCC Secretary General will have with leadership of the South East Europe participants.

04 January 2019 | News

Statement of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Majlinda Bregu

 Beyond differences and geographical boundaries there lies a common interest!  Jean Monnet was firm in his conviction that the “European nations had to unite in order to survive”. The same holds true for Western Balkan’s. To maintain weight in a world that is changing fast, we need to leverage our relations. Cooperation is the crux of the matter. 

04 January 2019 | News

Majlinda Bregu takes office as the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council

Sarajevo – Mrs. Majlinda Bregu assumed her duties of the new Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) today, following the appointment by the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Foreign Ministers in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia on 23 April 2018.

04 December 2018 | News

Enlargement process, integration, transformation challenges - main topics of 19th edition of EU-Western Balkans Summit in Brussels

Brussels – For the third year in a row the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) partnered with the Brussels-based think-tank Friends of Europe (FoE), with the support of the European Commission, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United States European Command, in organizing the annual EU-Western Balkans Summit. This year’s 19th edition of the ...

18 October 2018 | News

RCC Board meets for the 35th time

Sarajevo – The Board of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) met for the 35th time at the organisations’ Secretariat in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina today. 

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 July 2018 | News

RCC Secretary General takes part at the Western Balkans London Summit

  The Secretary General of the regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic, took part at the Western Balkans (WB) Summit on 10 July in London.

26 June 2018 | News

Western Balkans endorses key principles on recognition of academic qualifications

Brussels – Ministers in charge of education from the Western Balkan economies endorsed a set of key principles on automatic recognition of academic qualifications in the region at the 7th Ministerial meeting of the Western Balkans Platforms on Education and Training & Research and Innovation, organised by the European Commission (EC), in Brussels today. These principles build upon the ...

12 June 2018 | News

Statement by the RCC Secretary General Goran Svilanovic on the agreement announced by Prime Ministers Tsipras and Zaev

12 June 2018 | News

RCC Secretary General and BiH Foreign Minister meet to discuss BiH's SEECP C-i-O

Banja Luka – The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic, met the Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Igor Crnadak, in Banja Luka today.

17 May 2018 | News

RCC at the Sofia Western Balkans Summit: Regional Cooperation Council proliferated regional cooperation across all sectors

Sofia – The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Goran Svilanovic, took part at the EU-Western Balkans Summit hosted by the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, in Sofia today. The Summit is dedicated to strengthen links between the EU and the Western Balkans in infrastructure, digital and human connectivity. It brought together EU and WB leaders, as well as ...

25 April 2018 | News

Brussels: Bulgarian EU Presidency, RCC host conference on the Western Balkans’ European perspective

Brussels - Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union together with the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) hosted a conference on the Western Balkans’ European perspective through growth, good governance and enhanced cooperation, in Brussels today.

24 April 2018 | News

SEECP Summit Participants praise work of RCC, thank outgoing and approve new Secretary General

Brdo pri Kranju – The leaders of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) participants commended and congratulated the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), for serving as a sui generis organisation promoting regional cooperation in South East Europe, approving at the same time the appointment by the SEECP Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Majlinda Bregu as Secretary General ...

23 April 2018 | News

South East European Foreign Ministers Appoint next RCC Secretary General

Brdo pri Kranju - Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) appointed Majlinda Bregu as Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), starting on 1 January 2019 and of Igor Luksic as RCC Secretary General starting on January 2022, at their meeting held in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia, today. In this post, Bregu will succeed Goran ...

23 April 2018 | News

RCC Annual Meeting endorses nomination of Majlinda Bregu as the next RCC Secretary General for the term 2019-2021

Brdo pri Kranju – The 10th Annual Meeting of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), held in Brdo pri Kranju today, endorsed the RCC Annual Report 2017/2018 and the nominations of Majlinda Bregu as the next RCC Secretary General for the term 2019-2021 and Igor Luksic for the term 2022-2024.

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 ...

16 March 2018 | News

Svilanovic at the meeting of WB Foreign Ministers in Sarajevo: It is “action time” for the Western Balkans

Sarajevo – The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic, takes part in the meeting of Western Balkans (WB) Six Foreign Ministers in Sarajevo today. The meeting is dedicated to the recently published EU’s  strategy on the enlargement perspective of the region, implementation of the Berlin Process’ 2017 Trieste Summit outcomes, and preparation ...

15 March 2018 | News

RCC Board meets for the 34th time

 Sarajevo – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General Goran Svilanovic presented the Report on the organisation's activities in the last quarter of the past year at the first meeting of the Board of in 2018, held in Sarajevo today.

15 March 2018 | News

RCC celebrates its 10th Birthday, awards EXIT as Champion of Regional Cooperation for 2017

Sarajevo – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) marked its 10th birthday by presenting a brief overview of the past 10 years of the organisation’s activities to its partners, stakeholders and friends and awarding the EXIT Festival as Champion of Regional Cooperation  for 2017, at a reception in Sarajevo last night.

27 February 2018 | News

10 years of Regional Cooperation Council

With the region, for the region Sarajevo - Today the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) marks its 10 birthday. Our journey began on 27 February 2008 in Sofia at the meeting of Foreign Ministers of South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), when the RCC was officially launched, as the SEECP operational arm, under which auspices it continues to operate. 

06 February 2018 | News

New EU Strategy for the Western Balkans sets out credible enlargement perspective maintaining the focus on regional cooperation

Sarajevo – The newly published EU Strategy for the Western Balkans (WB) reiterates regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations as keys for progress of the Western Balkans’ economies on their European path, naming the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) among those that provided a new momentum for dialogue.

18 December 2017 | News

RCC Secretary General takes part the Berlin Process’s meeting of Western Balkans Sherpas

Brussels – The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic, took part at the meeting of the Berlin process’ Sherpas, organized by the European Commission, in Brussels today. The meeting focused on each of the Western Balkans (WB) economies’ reform measures in implementing the Multiannual Actin Plan (MAP) to create a Regional Economic Area in WB ...

05 December 2017 | News

Challenges and Responses of the Western Balkans discussed at the Policy Summit in Brussels

Brussels – The 18th edition of policy summit on the Western Balkans under the title: Western Balkans at a Crossroads: New Challenges, Changing Dynamics, organised by the leading Brussels-based think-tank Friends of Europe (FoE), with the support of the European Commission, Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Rockefeller ...

30 October 2017 | News

London: Western Balkans Summit 2018 and Berlin Process in focus of Svilanovic’s meeting with UK Foreign Office and Commonwealth Officials

London – Goran Svilanovic, Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Secretary General met with UK’s Foreign Office and Commonwealth officials Fiona McIlwham, Peter Bainbridge, Director and Deputy Director of Western Balkans Department (EuD - WBD),  Andrew Page, Western Balkans Summit 2018 Coordinator and Andrew Staunton, Member of the core team for organisation of the Summit to discuss ...

26 October 2017 | News

RCC Secretary General discusses Western Balkans EU perspective with Bulgarian Foreign Minister in Sofia today

Sofia – Goran Svilanovic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), met with Ekaterina Zaharieva, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister for Judicial Reform and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Sofia today. Svilanovic and Zaharieva talked about the priorities of Bulgaria’s upcoming six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union, starting on 1 January 2018.

18 October 2017 | News

Svilanovic at RCC Board meeting: Our efforts were focused on areas where ambitions in the region have grown

Sarajevo – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General Goran Svilanovic presented the report on activities of the RCC Secretariat in the period 1 April – 31 August 2017 to the RCC Board at the meeting in Sarajevo today. The Board also heard the information and plans on the most important upcoming activities of the organisation, in particular those related to the implementation ...

16 October 2017 | News

Regional Cooperation Council at 6th Summit100 of Business Leaders of Southeast Europe

Skopje – The 6th Business leaders’ Summit100, focusing on connectivity, discussing transport, free trade, infrastructure, branding and promotion of the region, mobility of people, as well as energy and digital agendas, kicked off in Skopje today.

20 September 2017 | News

New York: RCC Secretary General hosts meeting of Western Balkans foreign ministers and EU’s Han, discussing Regional Economic Area

New York – The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Goran Svilanovic hosted an informal meeting of the Western Balkans foreign ministers, with the participation of the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Johannes Hahn, organized on the margins of the 72nd Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, in New York today.

12 July 2017 | News

Trieste: Six Western Balkans leaders endorse Regional Economic Area

Trieste - 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 summit in Trieste today. The MAP has been created to enable unobstructed flow of goods, services, capital and highly skilled labour, making the region more attractive for investment and commerce, accelerating convergence with ...

05 July 2017 | News

RCC: Svilanovic meets Bildt, Heisbourg, and Cooper in Sarajevo to discuss regional cooperation in context of European integration

Sarajevo - Carl Bildt, former Swedish Prime Minister and Co-Chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), François Heisbourg, Chair of the International Institute for Strategic Studies Council and Chairman of the foundation council of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, and Robert Cooper, Special Advisor at the European Commission, visited the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) ...

30 June 2017 | News

SEECP Foreign Ministers and Heads of State and Government endorse RCC’s Annual Report 2016-2017

Dubrovnik - Annual Report of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) 2016/2017 was endorsed by the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Ministers of Foreign Affairs and consecutively by the Heads of State and Government at the meetings held in Dubrovnik today.

26 June 2017 | News

RCC to present report on its activities in the past year and the SEE 2020 Development Strategy’s implementation results, at meetings in Dubrovnik

RCC Annual Meeting Regional Cooperation Council and Croatian Chairmanship-in-Office 2016-2017 of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) are co-organizing RCC’s tenth Annual Meeting. The meeting is expected to endorse Annual Report of the RCC 2016-2017, featuring the work of the organization in the past year. The Report will be presented by the RCC Secretary General, Goran ...

12 June 2017 | News

Training of junior diplomats from South East Europe: crafting the future of the region

Zagreb – Goran Svilanovic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) together with the host, Tomislav Lendic, Croatian Assistant Minister of Foreign and European Affairs (MFEA) in charge of Southeast Europe opened the 1st South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Seminar for Junior Diplomats taking place in Zagreb from 11 – 15 June 2107.

16 May 2017 | News

RCC Board accepts organisation’s Annual Report 2016 – 2017

The Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) 2016 – 2017 has been accepted by the organisation’s Board, at its 32nd meeting in Sarajevo today.

08 May 2017 | News

Goran Svilanovic presented with Dr Elemer Hantos Prize for promotion of economic cooperation in the region

Belgrade – Charles Epping, President of The Central Europe Foundation (CEF), presented Goran Svilanovic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Dr Elemer Hatnos Prize as recognition of his efforts to promote regional economic cooperation in South East Europe at the award ceremony in Belgrade tonight.

10 April 2017 | News

Germany continues its support to Regional Cooperation Council

Sarajevo - The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat and the German Federal Foreign office (Auswärtige Amt) signed an agreement on financial grant to support RCC’s public awareness activities. The grant agreement of 100, 000 euro is to support RCC communication and public awareness activities in the course of 2017-’18. The agreement was signed by the RCC Secretary General, ...

20 March 2017 | News

RCC presents its activities and core of regional cooperation in South East Europe to young diplomats

Sandanski/Sarajevo - Goran Svilanovic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and Stefana Greavu, Head of RCC’s Political Department spoke today to young diplomats from all over South East Europe, at the 12th Winter School on Diplomacy, in Sandanski, Bulgaria. This year’s edition of the Winter School of Diplomacy was devoted to EU and NATO in South Eastern Europe ...

17 March 2017 | News

Western Balkans economies to work with Regional Cooperation Council and EU to further economic cooperation

Sarajevo - At the meeting of six Western Balkans Prime Ministers with the European Commission and the European External Action Service in Sarajevo yesterday, the Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitments on the EU accession path, took stock of the progress made thus far and set out preparations for the next summit hosted by Italy in Trieste on 12 July 2017.

15 March 2017 | News

RCC Board meets in Sarajevo for 31st time

Sarajevo – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Board met for the first time in 2017 in Sarajevo today. The RCC Secretary General, Goran Svilanovic presented the report on activities of the organization’s Secretariat in the period September-December 2016 and informed the Board on its key forthcoming  activities.

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.

17 February 2017 | News

Svilanovic: We should turn to regional economic integration of the Western Balkans

MUNICH/SARAJEVO – Perspectives of the South East European economies’ reform processes in light of the current dilemma whether or not they should be continued against the European Union accession background, was the topic elaborately discussed at the BMW Foundation Global Dialogue session held in Munich today.

09 February 2017 | News

RCC at the meeting of ministers of foreign affairs of the Western Balkans six in Skopje

SKOPJE/SARAJEVO – “It is of paramount importance to ensure further progress and reforms in the region, as they are irreversible processes triggered by the EU accession aspirations. Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is looking forward to continuation of close cooperation with you in making this region prosperous and stable,” said RCC Secretary General Goran Svilanovic, addressing ...

07 February 2017 | News

RCC Secretary General discusses organisation’s activities with EU officials in Brussels

BRUSSELS/SARAJEVO – The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic, was in a two-day visit to Brussels where he met with Thomas Mayr-Harting, Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia in the European External Action Service, and Christian Danielsson, Director General for Enlargement at the European Commission. Svilanovic also briefed the Committee ...

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 ...

13 December 2016 | News

Erhard Busek visits RCC Secretariat in Sarajevo

Sarajevo – Erhard Busek, former Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, predecessor of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) visited RCC’s Secretariat in Sarajevo today.

08 December 2016 | News

RCC Secretary General meets Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs

Hamburg/Sarajevo  - The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Republic of Croatia, Davor Ivo Stier on the margins of OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting in Hamburg, Germany today.

07 December 2016 | News

RCC’s Svilanovic at Brussels’ Balkans Summit: ‘Business as usual will not work’

Sarajevo/Brussels – “When it comes to the enlargement, ‘business as usual’ is the only policy which will not work“, said Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic, speaking at the panel ‘EU membership: the long road from vision to reality’ of the Balkans Summit in Brussels today.

29 November 2016 | News

Launch of Advocacy Strategy for the EU Integration of the Western Balkans hosted by RCC Liaison Office in Brussels

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Liaison Office in Brussels hosted today the official EU launch of the Advocacy Strategy for the EU Integration of the Western Balkans, an event organized by the European Movement International in collaboration with the RCC. 

12 October 2016 | News

Organisation’s results and upcoming activities in the focus of 30th RCC Board meeting

Sarajevo, 12 October 2016 – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General Goran Svilanovic presented to the RCC Board today the implementation and results of the RCC’s Strategy and Work Programme (SWP) 2014-2016, as well as how these feed into RCC’s next three-year strategy 2017-2019.

27 September 2016 | News

RCC Secretary General meets U.S. State Department officials

Sarajevo/Washington – Interventions of Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in regional cooperation in South East Europe (SEE), with special emphasis on areas of governance, rule of law and security were discussed at the series of regular annual meetings of the organisation's Secretary General, Goran Svilanovic, with officials of the U.S. State Department in Washington D.C in the past ...

22 September 2016 | News

Connection, Communication, Cooperation in South East Europe

Sarajevo/New York - Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Secretary General Goran Svilanovic attended the informal meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), organized on the margins of the 71st Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York.

13 September 2016 | News

Svilanovic at Milocer Development Forum: We at the RCC foster multi-dimensional approach to sustainable development

Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Goran Svilanovic participated today at the regional Milocer Development Forum in Cetinje (Montenegro) where he presented some of the specific RCC contributions towards strengthening sustainable development in the region. 

02 June 2016 | News

Svilanovic: Making sure that local administrations are well prepared for demanding EU accession process and membership, is our common objective

The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic, took part at the Enlargement Day, organised by the European Committee of the Regions in cooperation with DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission, in Brussels today.

31 May 2016 | News

RCC embarks on new three-year working cycle as the Strategy and Work Programme for 2017-2019 gets endorsed at the organisation’s Annual Meeting

Pravets – The new three-year Strategy and Work Programme (SWP) of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) was endorsed at the organisation’s ninth Annual meeting in Pravets (Bulgaria) today. The meeting, co-organized with the Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office 2015-2016 of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) also endorsed the Annual Report of the RCC Secretary General featuring ...

31 May 2016 | News

SEECP foreign ministers endorse the new RCC’s three-year Strategy and Work Programme

Pravets, 31 May 2016 - Meeting in Pravets (Bulgaria) today, the foreign ministers of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) endorsed the Annual Report of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) 2015-2016 presented by the RCC Secretary General Goran Svilanovic, as well as the new three-year Strategy and Work Programme (SWP) of the RCC. 

23 May 2016 | News

RCC to present the new three-year strategy and work programme at its Annual meeting in Pravets, Bulgaria

Sarajevo - The new three-year Strategy and Work Programme (SWP) of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) will be presented at the ninth Annual meeting of the organisation on 31 May 2016 in Pravets, Bulgaria. The meeting, co-organized with the Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office 2015-2016 of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), is expected to endorse the RCC SWP together with ...

13 May 2016 | News

RCC Secretary General at the Forum of EU Strategy for Adriatic and Ionian Region

The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic, spoke today at the 1st Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Svilanovic presented the implementation structure, and programing and monitoring processes, of the RCC’s South East Europe (SEE) 2020 development Strategy, but also spoke about the synergies ...

11 May 2016 | News

RCC Board accepts the new three-year Strategy and Work Programme of the organization

The new three-year Strategy and Work Programme (SWP) of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) has been accepted today by the organisation’s Board, at its meeting in Sarajevo. The RCC SWP refers to the period 2017 – 2019, and outlines the organisation’s vision and activities in the future period. The Board also accepted the Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional ...

27 April 2016 | News

“EU incomplete without the Western Balkans”

Vienna/Sarajevo  – An impressive public panel hosted last night by Austrian Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, Sebastian Kurz,  rounded off a two day conference in Vienna called “Energizing the Enlargement Process by Solving Bilateral Disputes”. Set up by the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB) and supported by the Austrian and French Ministries for ...

14 April 2016 | News

Synergising RCC and EU macro-regional strategies

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) hosted and co-organised today the first part of a two-day meeting of the Steering Group of Priority Area 10 (PA10) of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR). This meeting is an opportunity to present to the PA10 Steering Group and all interested stakeholders the role that the RCC plays in promoting regional cooperation and supporting the ...

06 April 2016 | News

Continued German support for RCC activities

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat and the German Federal Foreign office (Auswärtige Amt) signed an agreement today on a 50,000 euro grant to support RCC’s public awareness activities in 2016. The agreement was signed by the RCC Secretary General, Goran Svilanovic and the German Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Hellbach.

14 March 2016 | News

RCC Secretary General speaks to young diplomats from South East Europe about region’s opportunities and challenges

The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic, spoke today to young diplomats from all over South East Europe, at the 11th Winter School on Diplomacy, in Sandanski, Bulgaria. The event, co-organized by the RCC, Bulgarian Chairmanship in Office of the South East Europe Cooperation Process (SEEPC), Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute, and the Hanns Seidel ...

08 March 2016 | News

German MPs: Regional Cooperation Council has to be strengthened

Members of the German Parliament (Bundestag) from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have said that the role of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) have to be strengthened.

26 February 2016 | News

Sarajevo: RCC Board meets for the first time in 2016

Sarajevo – The 28th meeting of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Board took place in Sarajevo today. RCC Secretary General, Goran Svilanovic, presented the activities of the RCC Secretariat since October 2015 and the Board accepted them.

16 February 2016 | News

Political stability, growth and jobs – Svilanovic on strengthening the ties in the region

The challenges but also  the opportunities for closer regional cooperation are aplenty in the year which just started, said Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General, Goran Svilanovic at today’s one day conference on “Balkan Partnership, strengthening the Region’s ties”, organised by the Friends of Europe in Brussels. Svilanovic said that the RCC is deeply engaged ...

02 February 2016 | News

SEECP ministers discuss migration issues

“In this year, we will continue to see rising hopes for more progress on the European and Euro-Atlantic integration path of the South East European region”, said the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) at this morning’s informal meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the South East Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP) held in Sofia. 

18 December 2015 | News

Regional Cooperation Day in Sarajevo: Strong debate about a tough year

Regional Cooperation Council organised a meeting of civil sector representatives from South East Europe economies and journalists from the region 

16 December 2015 | News

RCC: Sarajevo to host Regional Cooperation Day

Sarajevo - Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is organising a gathering of representatives of civil society and media from the South East Europe region to mark the Regional Cooperation Day.

23 November 2015 | News

SEECP Political Directors meet in Sofia

Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General Goran Svilanovic attended today’s meeting of Political Directors of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), the first organised by the current Chair-in-Office, Bulgaria.

29 October 2015 | News

Better cooperation between the RCC and the OSCE

Vienna/Sarajevo, 29 October 2015 -  Ways and means for better cooperation between the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) were discussed today at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna.

16 October 2015 | News

Job creation and dynamising economic life is crucial for the future of South East Europe (SEE) - Inter-parliamentary Conference in Sarajevo ends today

Sarajevo, 15/16 October 2015 – A two day inter-parliamentary conference coorganised by the European Parliament, the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina ended today in Sarajevo. It was attended by Members of the European Parliament and Members of Parliament  of EU Enlargement countries. Economic Governance and Job creation were the focus of ...

15 October 2015 | News

Meeting of the Board of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in Sarajevo

Sarajevo, 15th October 2015 – The 27th meeting of the RCC Board took place in Sarajevo today. RCC Secretary General, Goran Svilanovic, presented the activities of the RCC Secretariat between April and October 2015 and the Board accepted them. Particular attention was given to RCC’s engagement in those aspects of the Berlin Process which are in line with RCC’s mission and ...

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.

01 October 2015 | News

RCC and regional issues discussed in New York

New York – Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General, Goran Svilanovic, attended an informal meeting of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Foreign Ministers yesterday in New York. The meeting was hosted by Daniel Mitov, Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and current Chair in Office (CiO) of the SEECP. Such meetings have become a regular feature ...

15 September 2015 | News

Sofia: RCC at the conference on energy security and infrastructure in South East Europe

Energy Security and Energy Infrastructure in South East Europe are the focus of a two-day conference that started in Sofia today, organised by the Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-office of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) and opened by the Bulgarian Prime Minister, Boyko Borissov.

14 September 2015 | News

Svilanovic officially signs Agreement on Assumption of Duties as RCC Secretary General in second term

The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanović, signed the official Agreement on Assumption of Duties of the RCC Secretary General, for the period 1 January 2016 – 31 December 2018. On behalf of the Chairmanship-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), the agreement was signed by the Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, ...

11 September 2015 | News

RCC Secretary General receives Swedish Ambassador to BiH

Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC), Secretary General, Goran Svilanovic, received today the Swedish Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fredrik Schiller.

09 September 2015 | News

RCC Secretary General visits Foreign Minister Crnadak

The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic, met today in Sarajevo with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Igor Crnadak. 

31 August 2015 | News

Rama, Svilanovic and Vucic, tonight in regional TV Talk Show “Okruzenje”

The margins of last Thursday’s Vienna summit of the WB6 leaders and the leaders of the Berlin Process countries and the EU, were rich with events in the days preceding and following the actual Summit.  

27 August 2015 | News

Tackling tomorrow's issues today - bilateral disputes in the Western Balkans discussed in Vienna

Vienna - Today’s Western Balkans Summit in Vienna is being accompanied by a series of side events that complement the political and economic issues discussed by the WB leaders and the initiators of the Berlin Process – last year’s host Germany, this year’s Austria and next year’s France, as well as the European Commission.

25 August 2015 | News

RCC at the Vienna WB summit

West Balkan and EU leaders will gather in Vienna in the next two days for the continuation of the Berlin Process, widely perceived as an initiative to pursue the EU accession process of the region. The actual Summit and its political discussions will be held on August 27th accompanied by meeting of economic Ministers. 

19 June 2015 | News

RCC Secretary General on the region’s economy

The Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office of the South East European Cooperation Process (CiO SEECP) has kicked off its activities with the two-day event in Sofia focusing on the state of regional economy and ways to improve it. Taking part in today’s round table which gathered representatives of the SEE ministries of economy, the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council ...

05 June 2015 | News

RCC Secretary General briefs South East Europe’s Ambassadors accredited in Brussels to EU and NATO and EC Director General Christian Danielson

Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Goran Svilanovic met today with the Ambassadors of SEECP participants accredited to EU and NATO in Brussels as well as with EC Director General Christian Danielsson.  

26 May 2015 | News

SEECP summit approves appointment of Goran Svilanovic as RCC Secretary General

Tirana/Sarajevo, 26 May 2015 – Meeting in Tirana today, the participants of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) summit approved the appointment of Goran Svilanovic for a second three year term as the Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Secretary General. The Declaration adopted at the Summit also endorses the RCC’s Annual Report. 

22 May 2015 | News

RCC Annual Meeting and presentation of the SEE Development Scoreboard

Tirana/Sarajevo - The RCC’s (Regional Cooperation Council) Annual Meeting in Tirana today heard a strong endorsement of the organisation’s efforts in fostering economic recovery and speeding up the European integration process of the region. The meeting’s host, Albanian Foreign Minister and Chair in Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), Ditmir Bushati, said ...

22 May 2015 | News

SEECP Foreign Ministers appoint Goran Svilanovic as RCC Secretary General for a second 3 year term

Meeting in Tirana today, the Foreign ministers of the South- East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) unanimously appointed Goran Svilanovic for a second term as the Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Secretary General. The ministers also adopted the Annual Report of the RCC Secretary General on regional cooperation in South East Europe (SEE).

18 May 2015 | News

RCC to present South East Europe Development Scoreboard

SARAJEVO, 18 May 2015 – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat will officially launch and present the South East Europe Development Scoreboard (SEEDS) on the sidelines of its Annual Meeting, on the 22nd of May 2015 in Tirana, Albania. SEEDS is a comprehensive but simple web-based platform which enables any user to monitor the implementation of the region’s development ...

12 May 2015 | News

RCC Board endorses renewal of mandate for RCC Secretary General Goran Svilanovic

The Board of the Regional Cooperation council met in Sarajevo today ahead of the Annual meeting which will take place in Tirana, later this month. 

08 May 2015 | News

RCC Secretary General briefs Austrian parliamentarians on the SEE2020 Strategy

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General, Goran Svilanovic, briefed Austrian parliamentarians today on the implementation of the SEE2020 Strategy, RCC’s primary instrument for boosting growth and jobs in the region’s economies.

06 May 2015 | News

Regional Cooperation Day in Brussels

Sarajevo/Brussels – The Regional Cooperation Day continued in Brussels with a High Level Conference on cooperation and enlargement in the Western Balkans which included Albanian Foreign Minister, Ditmir Bushati, the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, the Head of the Representation of the State of Baden-Württemberg, Johannes Jung ...

06 May 2015 | News

RCC’S Balkan Barometer Presented at the Regional Cooperation Day in Brussels

Sarajevo/Brussels - The Regional Cooperation Day (RCC) kicked off in Brussels with a premiere of the Balkan Barometer (BB), a comprehensive survey encompassing public and business opinion and sentiment on crucial economic and development issues. The Balkan Barometer is a part of an RCC’s “toolbox” in tracking the progress of the South East Europe 2020 Strategy (SEE 2020).

06 May 2015 | News

Regional Cooperation Day ends in Brussels

The Regional Cooperation Day concluded in Brussels with closing remarks by Igor Luksic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, MEP Andrej Plenkovic, Vice Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Andreas Brandstaetter from the Austrian Foreign Ministry.

09 April 2015 | News

Germany continues to support RCC’s activities

Sarajevo - Goran Svilanovic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Secretariat (RCC) and H.E. Dr Christian Hellbach, German Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, signed an agreement with which the Federal Republic of Germany continues its support of the RCC.  

02 March 2015 | News

Implementation and monitoring of RCC’s SEE 2020 strategy discussed in Skopje today

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Fatmir Besimi, Minister of Economy, Bekim Neziri, and Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanović, opened a meeting dedicated to the implementation and monitoring of the RCC’s South East Europe (SEE) 2020 development strategy.

06 February 2015 | News

EU continues to support regional cooperation aimed at wellbeing of citizens

The European Commission will continue to strongly support the activities of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) to enhance regional cooperation and promote European integration in South East Europe (SEE). This was confirmed during constructive meeting between RCC Secretary General Goran Svilanovic and the Commissioner for the European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, ...

11 December 2014 | News

RCC Secretary General meets SEECP Troika

The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic, met today in Sarajevo with the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Troika (The “Troika” consists of the previous, current and next Chair in office of the SEECP, in this case - Romania, Albania and Bulgaria). The Secretary General informed the Troika on what the RCC has achieved so ...

10 December 2014 | News

A kick-start to stalled accession?

Brussels, 9 December 2014: Balkan revival was the topic in Brussels’s Cercle Gaulois grand hall yesterday with Friends of Europe as the host. Guest speakers included the Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, MEPs Eduard Kukan and Andrej Plenkovic, the foreign minister of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Nikola Poposki, Director General for Enlargement in the European Commission ...

27 November 2014 | News

European Commission supports RCC with 7,15 million euro

A two-year contribution agreement to the amount of 7,150,000.00 euro supporting the activities of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat in 2015-2016 was signed in Brussels today between the European Commission (EC) and the RCC. This is the first time that the European Commission has signed a two-year contribution agreement which is a clear sign of EC’s support to the RCC’s ...

23 October 2014 | News

Svilanovic: Strong and vibrant regional economies crucial for EU integration

Belgrade, 23 October 23, 2014 – The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic, pointed out today that even though political stability, reconciliation and security are still crucial activities for the RCC, the region as a whole needs to focus on sustainable development and growth.  Speaking at the WB6 Meeting on Economic Governance and Connectivity ...

15 October 2014 | News

RCC Board adopts Report on RCC activities April-September 2014

Sarajevo – At the third meeting of the RCC Board this year the RCC Secretary General, Goran Svilanovic, presented a number of activities of the RCC Secretariat in the period April – September 2014 and informed the Board on the most important future activities, especially those related to the implementation of the RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2014-16 and its central pillar: ...

01 September 2014 | News

Berlin conference confirms importance of regional cooperation

Last week’s conference in Berlin, hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, ushered in a new phase of EU accession for the Western Balkans countries, one in which the goals and targets are more clearly defined and assorted in an ongoing process which will be hosted by Austria and then France in the coming years. The Final Declaration by the Chair of the Conference underlined ...

28 August 2014 | News

RCC Secretary General attends Western Balkans conference in Berlin

BERLIN – At the initiative of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and hosted by Vice Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Sigmar Gabriel,  a discussion on economic potentials and prospects of the Western Balkans kicked off the Western Balkans summit in Berlin. 

20 June 2014 | News

RCC at the meeting of the SEECP Ministers of Foreign Affairs

The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic, participated in the formal meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Southeast Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP), in Bucharest today. The Ministers approved the Annual Report of the RCC Secretary General 2013/2014.

19 June 2014 | News

Regional Cooperation Council holds Annual Meeting

BUCHAREST – SARAJEVO – The 6th Annual Meeting of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) took place in Bucharest today. The meeting endorsed the report of the RCC Secretary General on Regional Cooperation in South East Europe (SEE) 2013-2014 and assessed the implementation of the RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2011 – 2013.

06 June 2014 | News

RCC to Present its Annual Report and SEE 2020 Scoreboard on 19 June 2014 in Bucharest

SARAJEVO – The 6th Annual Meeting of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) will be held in Bucharest, Romania, on 19 June 2014. It is expected to endorse the report of the RCC Secretary General on Regional Cooperation in South East Europe (SEE) 2013-2014, and to assess the implementation of the RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2011 – 2013.

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 ...

14 May 2014 | News

President of Montenegro Filip Vujanović meets with RCC Secretary General Goran Svilanović in Sarajevo

SARAJEVO – Goran Svilanović, Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s Secretary General, met with Filip Vujanović, President of Montenegro, at the organisation’s Secretariat in Sarajevo today.

13 May 2014 | News

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic visits Regional Cooperation Council Secretariat

SARAJEVO – Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Secretary General Goran Svilanovic welcomed Serbian delegation led by the Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic at the RCC Secretariat in Sarajevo today.

24 April 2014 | News

Regional Cooperation Council Board accepts the organisation’s Annual Report

SARAJEVO – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Board accepted the Annual Report of the RCC Secretary General on regional cooperation in South East Europe in the period 2013-2014 at its 23rd meeting held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, today.

27 March 2014 | News

Germany supports RCC’s public awareness activities with 50,000 euro grant

Agreement on 50,000 euro grant to support public awareness activities of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat in 2014 was signed by the RCC Secretary General, Goran Svilanovic and German Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ulrike Knotz in Sarajevo today.

27 February 2014 | News

Regional Cooperation Council presents Champion of Regional Cooperation award for 2013, marks 6th anniversary

SARAJEVO – On the occasion of today’s sixth anniversary of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), the organization’s Secretary General Goran Svilanovic presented the South East European Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (SEECEL) with the Champion of Regional Cooperation award for 2013. The award was handed to Efka Heder, SEECEL Director.

21 January 2014 | News

Regional Cooperation Council Secretary General congratulates Serbia on opening accession talks with European Union

SARAJEVO – Goran Svilanovic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), congratulated Serbia for opening negotiations for a European Union (EU) membership today.

19 December 2013 | News

European Commission supports work of RCC Secretariat with EUR 3.575 million grant

A 3,575,000 euro grant agreement supporting activities of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat in 2014 was signed today in Brussels between the European Commission (EC) and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC).

02 October 2013 | News

Regional Cooperation Council Board holds last meeting in 2013, supports final preparations for SEE 2020 growth strategy

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Board RCC Board heard today a report by Secretary General on activities of the organization’s Secretariat in the period April-September 2013, as well as information on future plans.  

30 September 2013 | News

RCC, GIZ agree to cooperate on foreign trade promotion, energy efficiency, legal reform and modernisation of municipal services

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat and the German Organization Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) signed in Sarajevo today a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in foreign trade promotion, energy efficiency, legal reform and modernisation of municipal services. The agreement foresees cooperation between the RCC Secretariat and GIZ until ...

17 June 2013 | News

RCC Secretary General briefs diplomats in Sarajevo of results of the organization's 5th Annual Meeting

Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic, briefed today the diplomatic community in Sarajevo of results in implementing the RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2011-2013, the outcome of the RCC Annual Meeting held in Ohrid last month, and the state of regional cooperation in South East Europe.

31 May 2013 | News

South East European ministers of foreign affairs express support to RCC work, hail its SEE 2020 growth strategy

OHRID/SARAJEVO – Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) approved in Ohrid today the annual report of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General and the organization’s work programme for 2014-2016, focused on SEE 2020 – a Job-Creating Growth and EU Integration Strategy.

30 May 2013 | News

Regional Cooperation Council key forum for all-inclusive regional cooperation in South East Europe, say organization’s participants

OHRID/SARAJEVO – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is a key forum for inclusive regional cooperation in South East Europe, participants of the 5th Annual Meeting of the organization agreed in Ohrid today, while endorsing its new strategy for the 2014-2016 period and the annual report of the RCC Secretary General.

30 May 2013 | News

Annual Meeting endorsed new Regional Cooperation Council strategy and annual report

OHRID/SARAJEVO – The 5th Annual Meeting of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) endorsed the organization’s new strategy for the 2014-2016 period and the Annual Report of the RCC Secretary General. The meeting was held in Ohrid on 30th May 2013.

16 May 2013 | News

Regional Cooperation Council Secretary General meets chief executive of Vienna Economic Forum

Goran Svilanovic, Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General, met today with Ambassador Elena Kirtcheva, Secretary General of the Vienna Economic Forum (VEF), at the premises of the RCC Secretariat in Sarajevo.

25 April 2013 | News

Regional Cooperation Council Board adopts the organization’s new three-year strategy and work programme

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Board adopted today the RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2014-2016, centred around implementation of the South East Europe 2020 (SEE 2020) strategy, as the organization's contribution to overcoming economic crisis in the region.

22 April 2013 | News

Germany supports work of RCC Secretariat with a 50,000 euro grant

A 50,000 euro grant agreement supporting activities of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat in 2013 was signed by Goran Svilanovic, RCC Secretary General, and Ulrike Knotz, German Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Sarajevo today.

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. 

28 February 2013 | News

Regional Cooperation Council Board amends statutory documents to reflect EU-mediated agreement on Kosovo* regional representation

At its first meeting in 2013, the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Board decided to amend the statute and the list of participants of the organization, reflecting the results of the EU-mediated dialogue between Belgrade and Prishtina.

27 February 2013 | News

Foreign Minister Poposki visits RCC Secretariat, backs organization’s goals and activities

The current Chair-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Nikola Poposki, paid a visit to the RCC Secretariat today to express support to the activities of the organization and congratulate Secretary General Goran Svilanovic on his recent appointment to the post.

08 January 2013 | News

New Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council takes up post

SARAJEVO – Goran Svilanović, the new Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), has assumed his duties in Sarajevo today.

10 December 2012 | News

Regional Cooperation Council wins award for extraordinary contribution to humanism

SARAJEVO – The International Peace Centre Sarajevo (IPC) assigned its traditional Sloboda (Freedom) award to the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) for an extraordinary contribution to humanism, fight for human rights and freedom in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe and the world.

18 October 2012 | News

Regional Cooperation Council Board discusses state of cooperation in South East Europe, thanks outgoing Secretary General Biscevic

The last meeting in 2012 of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Board heard today a report by RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic on activities of the organization’s Secretariat in the period May-October 2012, primarily in relation to results achieved in the implementation of the RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2011-2013, as well as information on the future ...

27 September 2012 | News

As South East European ministers discuss measures to consolidate cooperation, RCC Secretary General Biscevic is awarded Bulgarian Golden Laurel medal

As South East European ministers discuss measures to consolidate cooperation, RCC Secretary General Biscevic is awarded Bulgarian Golden Laurel medal

22 June 2012 | News

RCC briefs diplomats in Sarajevo of results of its 4th Annual Meeting

The Secretariat of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) briefed today the diplomatic community in Sarajevo of results of the 4th Annual Meeting of the organization and the related South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) events, held in Belgrade last week.

20 June 2012 | News

Germany grants 50,000 euro to support work of RCC Secretariat

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General, Hido Biscevic, and German Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ulrike Knotz, signed in Sarajevo today a 50,000 euro grant agreement in support of the work of the RCC Secretariat in 2012.

15 June 2012 | News

South East European Heads of State and Government praise RCC work, thank outgoing and approve of new Secretary General

BELGRADE/SARAJEVO – The Heads of State and Government of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) praised in Belgrade today the achievements of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and its Secretary General Hido Bisevic, approving at the same time of the election of his successor Goran Svilanovic.

14 June 2012 | News

South East European foreign ministers appoint Goran Svilanović as the new Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council

BELGRADE/SARAJEVO – Goran Svilanović has been appointed the new Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) by the ministers of foreign affairs of the states participating in the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), at their meeting held in Belgrade today.

13 June 2012 | News

Annual Meeting endorses RCC annual report and nomination of new Secretary General

BELGRADE/SARAJEVO – The 4th Annual Meeting of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) endorsed in Belgrade today the Annual Report of the organization’s Secretary General and the nomination of Goran Svilanovic as the next RCC Secretary General for a three-year period, effective as of 1 January 2013.

15 May 2012 | News

Regional Cooperation Council Board meets in Sarajevo, accepts annual, financial reports

The second meeting of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Board in 2012 accepted today the Annual Report 2011-2012 of the organization’s Secretary General. It also approved the Secretary General’s financial report for 2011.

15 March 2012 | News

Regional Cooperation Council Board holds its first meeting in 2012, in Sarajevo

Assessment of the first year of implementation of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Strategy and Work Programme 2011-2013, and the report of the organization’s Secretary General on the activities of the Secretariat over the past three months, were in focus of today’s meeting of the RCC Board, held in Sarajevo.

13 March 2012 | News

Regional cooperation in South East Europe, EU membership focus of 4th RCC anniversary celebration

SARAJEVO – The 4th anniversary of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) will be marked in Sarajevo tomorrow with a panel discussion From ownership to responsibility: Regional cooperation in South East Europe and EU membership.

13 March 2012 | News

RCC Secretary General, BiH Foreign Minister meet in Sarajevo

Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, held consultations with the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zlatko Lagumdzija, in Sarajevo today.

06 March 2012 | News

RCC Secretary General meets Minister of Foreign Affairs in Skopje

Hido Biscevic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), met in Skopje today with Nikola Poposki, Minister of Foreign Affairs, of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, as the incoming chair of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP).

31 January 2012 | News

RCC Secretary General, Serbian Foreign Minister meet in Belgrade

Hido Biscevic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), met in Belgrade today with Vuk Jeremic, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia and the current chair of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), to talk about regional cooperation and political developments in South East Europe.

08 December 2011 | News

Regional Cooperation Council Board meets in Sarajevo today, adopts budget

The Board of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) reviewed today in Sarajevo the activities of the organization over the past three months, adopted the RCC Secretariat’s budget for 2012, and provided guidance for the future work of the organization.

16 November 2011 | News

European Commission’s Director General for Enlargement visits RCC Secretariat

Director General for Enlargement of the European Commission, Stefano Sannino, visited the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat in Sarajevo today, to discuss regional cooperation with RCC Secretary General, Hido Biscevic.

14 November 2011 | News

Independence, sustainability of public service media in South East Europe needs to be strengthened, agrees Sarajevo conference

SARAJEVO – The economic standing, editorial independence and autonomy of public service media need to be improved, to avert political interference, achieve managerial stability, ensure sustainability and stable funding for the public service media, in order for them to fulfill their role, concluded participants of an international seminar on public broadcasting, held in Sarajevo today.

10 November 2011 | News

RCC Secretary General Biščević meets EU Commissioner Füle over regional cooperation

Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biščević, met in Brussels today with EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle, to talk about current situation in the region and regional cooperation in view of the last month’s European Commission’s Enlargement Package.

05 October 2011 | News

RCC Secretary General, Albanian Deputy Prime Minister meet ahead of key European decisions affecting the region

Hido Biscevic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), met today in Tirana with Edmond Haxhinasto, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, to discuss regional cooperation and developments in South East Europe ahead of European Union’s progress reports due later this month.

30 September 2011 | News

Protocol on regional cooperation among South East European public media signed in Sarajevo, under RCC auspices

SARAJEVO – Directors general of 12 public broadcasters signed today in Sarajevo a Protocol on Regional Cooperation in Education and Training among members of the European Association of Public Service Media in South East Europe, under the auspices of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat.

23 September 2011 | News

RCC Secretary General meets South East European foreign ministers in New York

Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, took part in an informal meeting of ministers of foreign affairs of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), the Central European Initiative (CEI) and the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII), held in New York today at the margins of the UN General Assembly session. 

15 September 2011 | News

RCC Board meets in Sarajevo to discuss activities of the organization

The 28-member Board of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) met in Sarajevo today, to review activities of the past trimester and set course for the work of the organization until the end of the year.

07 September 2011 | News

RCC Secretary General discusses regional affairs and organization’s activities with senior U.S. and World Bank officials

Hido Biscevic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), met yesterday in Washington D.C. with Phil Reeker, United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, and a number of senior U.S. officials; as well as with Philippe Le Houerou, Vice President of the World Bank for Europe and Central Asia Region.

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.

05 July 2011 | News

RCC Secretariat briefs diplomatic community in Sarajevo on implementation of its work strategy and results of 3rd Annual Meeting

The Secretariat of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) presented today the first results of implementation of the organization’s Strategy and Work Programme 2011-2013 to the diplomatic community in Sarajevo. The briefing follows last week’s RCC Annual Meeting and related South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) events in Budva, Montenegro.

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.

24 June 2011 | News

Annual Meeting of Regional Cooperation Council to be held in Budva, Montenegro

BUDVA/SARAJEVO – The third Annual Meeting of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), will take place in the Montenegrin town of Becici near Budva, on 28 June 2011.

21 June 2011 | News

RCC Secretary General takes part in EU-Western Balkans ministerial meeting

Hido Biscevic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), took part in the ministerial meeting EU-Western Balkans: Western Balkans Forum, held in Luxembourg yesterday.

15 June 2011 | News

RCC role in Parliamentary Dimension of South-East European Cooperation Process important, Speakers of Parliament say

The role of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in the context of the Parliamentary Dimension of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) was recognized as important by the participants of the 9th Conference of the SEECP Speakers of Parliament, which took place in Becici, Montenegro, on 13-15 June 2011.

25 May 2011 | News

RCC Secretary General and European Commission Director discuss transport priorities in South East Europe

Hido Biscevic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), met today with Marjeta Jager, Director for General Policy at the Directorate General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) of the European Commission, to discuss transport sector priorities in South East Europe. 

12 May 2011 | News

RCC Board reviews progress in implementation of organization's 2011-2013 strategy

The second meeting of the Board of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in 2011, held in Sarajevo today, reviewed work of the RCC Secretariat over the past two months and discussed its future activities.

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.

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.

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.

08 March 2011 | News

Regional Cooperation Council Board holds its first meeting in 2011 in Sarajevo today

The Board of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) met in Sarajevo today to review the activities of the organization over the past three months and provide guidance for the period ahead.

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).

28 January 2011 | News

Montenegrin Foreign Minister, RCC Secretary General sign protocol on hosting regional task force on culture and society

BECICI/SARAJEVO – A protocol on the host country arrangements for the Secretariat of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Task Force on Culture and Society was signed this evening by Montenegrin Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Milan Rocen, and RCC Secretary General, Hido Biscevic, in Becici, Montenegro.

16 December 2010 | News

RCC Secretary General and EU Commissioner for Regional Policy discuss cooperation

Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, met in Brussels yesterday with EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn, and exchanged views on RCC activities related to implementation of the RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2011-2013.

13 December 2010 | News

RCC Secretary General, EU Enlargement Director General agree 2010 successful for regional cooperation

Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, met in Brussels today with the European Commission's Director General for Enlargement, Michael Leigh, to discuss preparations for implementation of the RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2011-2013, and evaluate the progress made thus far.

10 December 2010 | News

RCC Secretary General meets EU Commissioner for Enlargement

Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, met in Brussels yesterday with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, Stefan Fuele, to discuss regional cooperation in South East Europe.

02 December 2010 | News

Regional Cooperation Council Board meets in Sarajevo today

The 28-member Board of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) heard in Sarajevo today a report by RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic on the activities of the organization’s Secretariat since September 2010 and the information on the work planned for the next three months.

29 November 2010 | News

RCC Secretary General meets officials of upcoming Hungarian EU Presidency

The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, held a series of meetings in Budapest today with officials of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the context of Hungary’s takeover of the Presidency of the European Union (EU) on 1 January 2011.

15 November 2010 | News

RCC Secretary General meets Slovenian Foreign Minister over cooperation in South East Europe

The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, met today with Slovenian Foreign Minister Samuel Zbogar and Ambassador Mitja Strukelj, National Coordinator for the Western Balkans, to discuss political situation and regional cooperation in South East Europe.

06 October 2010 | News

RCC Secretary General discusses regional cooperation with Bulgarian officials

The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, held consultations in Sofia today with Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Energy and Transport, Milen Ljutzkanov, Mario Kosev and Ivaylo Moskovski, respectively, as well as Ambassador at Large for Energy Security and Climate Change, Peter Poptchev.

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.

29 July 2010 | News

Representatives of RCC Secretariat and Montenegrin SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office meet in Sarajevo

The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, held today in Sarajevo consultations with Montenegrin Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nebojsa Kaludjerovic, representing the rotating Chairmanship-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) taken over by Montenegro at the SEECP Summit in Istanbul in June 2010.

14 July 2010 | News

RCC Secretary General presents the organization’s new strategy at COWEB Capitals meeting

The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic presented today to the COWEB Capitals meeting in Brussels the organization’s Strategy and Work Programme 2011-13, adopted last month, and received support to the organization’s work by the participants.

30 June 2010 | News

RCC Secretary General discusses energy and transport projects with Albanian officials

The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Hido Biscevic met in Tirana today with top Albanian officials to discuss concrete regional projects, primarily in the energy and transport sectors.

29 June 2010 | News

RCC Secretary General discusses regional cooperation in Pristina

The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic visited Pristina today to discuss development opportunities in the context of regional cooperation in South East Europe.

23 June 2010 | News

South East European heads of state give full support to the Regional Cooperation Council, approve appointment of its Secretary General

ISTANBUL/SARAJEVO – The Heads of State and Government of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) expressed today at the summit meeting in Istanbul their appreciation for the work of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in transforming the current advanced regional cooperation to a new level, focusing on concrete and targeted projects aimed at regional recovery and economic ...

22 June 2010 | News

South East European foreign ministers re-appoint Hido Biscevic as Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council

ISTANBUL/SARAJEVO – The ministers of foreign affairs of the states participating in the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) re-appointed Hido Biscevic as the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), at their meeting in Istanbul today.

22 June 2010 | News

Annual Meeting endorses new RCC strategy, annual report and nomination of Secretary General

ISTANBUL/SARAJEVO – The Annual Meeting of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), held in Istanbul today, endorsed the organization’s 2011-2013 Strategy and Work Programme, and the Annual Report of its Secretary General for the past year’s activities.

12 June 2010 | News

RCC Secretary General and EU Enlargement Commissioner discuss EU policy towards South East Europe

RCC Secretary General, Hido Biscevic, and EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Stefan Fuele, agreed at their meeting in Brussels yesterday that the last week’s high level EU-Western Balkans meeting and recent activities of political leaders from South East Europe affirmed the EU perspective of all the countries...

07 June 2010 | News

RCC Secretary General takes part in the 8th conference of SEECP speakers of parliament

The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, participated today in the 8th meeting of speakers of parliament of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) participating states, held in Antalya. The event was organized by the Republic of Turkey, which holds the rotating SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office.

02 June 2010 | News

RCC Secretary General hails messages of EU-Western Balkans meeting in Sarajevo, and new era of regional relations

SARAJEVO – “The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) strongly supports political meetings, statements and decisions that lead to a new era of relations in South East Europe, based on trust, dialogue and tolerance”, said RCC Secretary General, Hido Biscevic, at today’s high level EU-Western Balkans meeting in Sarajevo, organized by the Spanish Presidency with the support of the EU.  

18 May 2010 | News

RCC Board finalizes discussions on the organization’s three-year strategy

Members of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Board supported in Sarajevo today the concept of the 2011-2013 strategy and work programme of the organization, and agreed to finalize it in time for the approval by the RCC Annual Meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, on 22 June.

29 April 2010 | News

Biscevic, Djelic agree on the importance of regional projects as a developement stimulus

“The main goal of the series of visits to the RCC members from South East Europe, I have undertook, is pinpointing the national projects that could be implemented on a regional level, thus creating a climate for invigorated economic development of the region as a whole,” said Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General, Hido Biscevic, at the meeting with Serbian Deputy Prime ...

29 April 2010 | News

Secretary General with PM Gruevski: Cooperation on joint projects a way to accelerated development

As part of visits to the Regional Cooperation Council members from South East Europe, the Secretary General Hido Biscevic met yesterday in Skopje with the Prime Minister of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Nikola Gruevski, and informed him on the finalization of the Strategy and Work Programme of the organization for the 2011-2013 period.

27 April 2010 | News

RCC national coordinators from South East Europe discuss new strategy of the organization

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) national coordinators from South East Europe met today to discuss the draft organization’s strategy for 2011-2013, with the aim of its finalization and subsequent approval by the RCC Board on 18 May 2010.

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.

09 April 2010 | News

RCC Secretary General joins experts in addressing economic crisis in South East Europe

Hido Biščević, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), took part in a conference of ministers of economy and finance of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), which is being held in Istanbul, Turkey, on 8-10 April 2010.

08 April 2010 | News

RCC Secretary General holds talks with Turkish officials

The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biščević, met today with Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioğlu, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, and Ambassador Şanıvar Olgun, Turkish RCC National Coordinator, to discuss future activities of the organization.

31 March 2010 | News

RCC hosts preparatory meeting for the Conference of SEECP Speakers of Parliament

A two-day preparatory meeting for the 8th Conference of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Speakers of Parliament ended in Sarajevo today with the participants agreeing on the outline programme and discussing the main aspects of the final declaration of the Conference.

30 March 2010 | News

RCC Secretary General, officials of the Republic of Moldova discuss joint activities

Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Hido Biscevic met today with high-level officials of the Republic of Moldova to outline the organization’s priorities in the next three years and the ways the Republic of Moldova can take best advantage of regional cooperation in South East Europe.

09 March 2010 | News

Future RCC role in focus of talks between the organization’s Secretary General and EC Director General for Enlargement

Future role of the RCC and its Strategic Work Programme for 2011-2013 was in focus of a meeting between RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic and Director General for Enlargement in the European Commission Michael Leigh, held in Brussels today.

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.

26 February 2010 | News

RCC Secretary General and Montenegrin Prime Minister discuss cooperation

The RCC Secretary General, Hido Biscevic, and the Montenegrin Prime Minister, Milo Djukanovic, discussed in Podgorica today political developments in South East Europe (SEE) and importance of the SEE countries’ steady progress towards EU integration.

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 February 2010 | News

RCC Secretary General holds talks with Chairman of BiH Council of Ministers

The RCC Secretary General, Hido Biscevic, met today with the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nikola Spiric, and informed him of the new phase of RCC activities following the initial period of the organization’s profiling as the key driver of regional cooperation in South East Europe (SEE).

09 December 2009 | News

Reforms, confirmed European perspective and development cooperation set base for advancement of South East Europe, says RCC head at Western Balkans conference in Brussels

BRUSSELS – “The EU enlargement process must continue to be based upon the principle of fulfilment of accession criteria, on one hand, and on full confirmation of the European perspective for all countries of South East Europe, on the other“, said Hido Biscevic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), at a high-level conference on the Western Balkans, held in Brussels ...

07 December 2009 | News

High-level Western Balkans conference to be held in Brussels on Wednesday, under EU auspices and with RCC support

SARAJEVO/BRUSSELS – A conference on the Western Balkans “Overcoming the economic crisis – from regional cooperation to EU membership” will take place in Brussels, on Wednesday, 9 December. The event will be organized by the Swedish EU Presidency and the European Commission, in cooperation with the Regional Cooperation Council.

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.

13 November 2009 | News

RCC Secretary General takes part in a summit of Heads of Government of the Central European Initiative

The RCC Secretary General, Hido Biščević, participated in a meeting of Heads of Government of the Member States of the Central European Initiative (CEI) in Bucharest today. Secretary General Biščević extended his congratulations on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of successful cooperation and achievements of the Central European Initiative.

09 October 2009 | News

RCC Secretary General takes part in informal meeting of South East European Foreign Ministers in Istanbul

The RCC Secretary General Hido Biščević participated in Istanbul in the first informal meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) under the Turkish SEECP Chairmanship.

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.

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.

03 September 2009 | News

Senior Greek officials commend work of RCC and its Secretary General

The RCC Secretary General, Hido Biščević, held talks in Greece today with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yannis Valinakis, and the Ministry's Secretary General for European Affairs, Dimitrios Katsoudas. The officials discussed political developments in South East Europe and challenges in this respect.

23 June 2009 | News

RCC Secretariat presents its mission, priorities and activities to European and Euro-Atlantic institutions in Brussels

BRUSSELS/SARAJEVO – Experts of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat presented today the mission, priorities and activities of the organization to representatives of European and Euro-Atlantic institutions active in Brussels. The event took place in the premises of the RCC Secretariat’s Liaison Office.

05 June 2009 | News

Good neighbourly accommodations and development cooperation essential for progress in South East Europe, said RCC Secretary General at the Summit of regional leaders

CHISINAU/SARAJEVO – “Good neighbourly accommodations are essential for moving South East Europe (SEE) forward at the time of challenging regional agenda and the adverse effects of the current economic and financial crisis“, said Hido Biscevic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), at the meeting of the SEE Heads of State and Government, held in Chisinau today.

04 June 2009 | News

First RCC Annual Meeting endorses Secretary General’s Annual Report and Strategic Work Programme of the organization

CHISINAU/SARAJEVO – The first Annual Meeting of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), held in Chisinau today, endorsed the RCC Secretary General’s Annual Report on regional co-operation in SEE and the 2009-2010 Strategic Work Programme of the organization.

19 May 2009 | News

RCC Secretary General meets EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy

During a visit to Sarajevo today, the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, met with the RCC Secretary General, Hido Biscevic, to reiterate EU support to RCC activities.

04 May 2009 | News

Regional cooperation key to any progress of South East Europe, Croatian President says at RCC in Sarajevo

SARAJEVO – “Regional cooperation is key to any significant advancement of South East Europe (SEE), and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) plays an indispensible role in making this progress happen”, President of the Republic of Croatia, Stjepan Mesic, said at the RCC Secretariat in Sarajevo today.

03 May 2009 | News

Croatian President to visit Regional Cooperation Council Secretariat in Sarajevo

SARAJEVO – President of the Republic of Croatia, Stjepan Mesic, will tomorrow pay a visit to the Secretariat of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in Sarajevo, to highlight support to the organization and the importance Croatia attributes to regional cooperation.

14 April 2009 | News

RCC Secretary General holds consultations with Czech EU Presidency and delivers lecture at Prague Institute for International Relations

Within regular consultations with the EU Presidency, the RCC Secretary General, Hido Biscevic, met today with the First Czech Deputy Foreign Minister, Tomas Pojar, to discuss current situation in South East Europe (SEE) and cooperation between the RCC and the Presidency.

08 April 2009 | News

RCC work tremendously important for the region and Europe, Czech, French and Swedish Foreign Ministers say in Sarajevo

SARAJEVO – “The work of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat is tremendously important for the countries of the region and for all of Europe”, said Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden, Carl Bildt, at the RCC Secretariat’s premises in Sarajevo today. 

25 March 2009 | News

RCC Secretary General holds consultations with 2010 Spanish EU presidency

The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic met in Madrid today with the Secretary of State for Europe at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diego López Garrido, and other high-level officials of the Ministry, for consultations on RCC activities and the role of Spain as a future EU presidency holder.

19 February 2009 | News

RCC National Coordinators from South East Europe meet in Sarajevo

National Coordinators from RCC members from South East Europe (SEE) held their first meeting in 2009 in Sarajevo today, to discuss the most recent RCC activities.

18 February 2009 | News

Swedish Foreign Minister says RCC role of utmost importance for South East Europe

STOCKHOLM/SARAJEVO – The role of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is of utmost importance for cooperation in South East Europe (SEE) and completion of the region’s EU integration processes, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt told RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic at a meeting in Stockholm yesterday.

04 February 2009 | News

RCC Secretary General meets Chair of BiH Council of Ministers over investment initiative

The RCC Secretary General, Hido Biscevic, met today the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nikola Spiric, to discuss investment possibilities in South East Europe.

05 December 2008 | News

RCC Secretary General takes part in 16th OSCE Ministerial Meeting

The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic participated at the 16th Ministerial Council Meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) that took place in Helsinki on 4-5 December 2008.

21 November 2008 | News

RCC Secretary General discusses organization’s activities with Irish officials

The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic received support of the Irish Government to the work of the RCC Secretariat at a consultative meeting held with representatives of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs on 20 November 2008.

18 November 2008 | News

RCC Secretary General holds consultations with UK officials

The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic met today in London with the Director of the Western Balkans at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Daniel Fearn, and other FCO officials, for consultations regarding the activities of the RCC Secretariat.

07 November 2008 | News

RCC National Coordinators from Southeast Europe meet in Sarajevo

The RCC National Coordinators from Southeast Europe met in Sarajevo today to discuss the regional cooperation priorities and level of harmonization of national activities and strategies with the RCC Strategic Work Programme 2008-2009 as well as with the Multi-beneficiary IPA Programme 2008 priorities.

23 October 2008 | News

Montenegro signs SEECP charter on good neighborly relations

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic signed today in Bucharest the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Charter on Good Neighborly Relations, Stability, Security and Cooperation in Souheastern Europe, thus fully formalizing Montenegro’s participation in the SEECP.

26 September 2008 | News

RCC Board met in Sarajevo on 6 October

The 29 members of the RCC Board met for the first time at the premises of the RCC Secretariat in Sarajevo on 6 October 2008.

27 July 2008 | News

SEE Heads of Government meet in Salzburg

The RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic participated in the annual informal meeting of Heads of Government of Southeast European (SEE) countries organized by the Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer in Salzburg on 27 July 2008.

30 June 2008 | News

RCC National Coordinators from SEE hold first meeting in Sarajevo

The 30 June 2008 meeting at the premises of the RCC Secretariat in Sarajevo assessed the level of harmonization of national activities and strategies with the 2008-2009 RCC Strategic Work Programme, and with the priorities of the 2008 Multi-beneficiary Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) Programme of the European Commission.

17 June 2008 | News

RCC Secretary General welcomes signing of Stabilization and Association Agreement between EU, Bosnia and Herzegovina

SARAJEVO – The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, welcomed the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Luxembourg yesterday.

21 May 2008 | News

RCC Board adopts the organization’s 2008-2009 Strategic Work Programme

On 20 May 2008 in Pomorie, Bulgaria, the RCC Board adopted a report by the RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic on transformation of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe into the Regional Cooperation Council, as well as the RCC Strategic Work Programme for 2008-2009 and the appointments to the positions in the RCC Secretariat.

19 May 2008 | News

Three-day SEECP summit events start in Pomorie, Bulgaria

On 19 May 2008, the political directors of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) are meeting in Pomorie, Bulgaria, to prepare for the Ministerial and Summit meetings on 20 and 21 May.