Interviews/Articles/Speeches
RCC Secretary General for publication "Connecting The Region"
01 APRIL 2024 | INTERVIEW
Connecting The Region, a regional publication that unites top officials, the diplomatic community, and leading businesses from the Western Balkans and Soth East Europe, published an interview wit RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu. The interview dubbed Huge Potential for Collaboration delves into the significance of regional collaboration in Southeast Europe. Bregu discusses the untapped potential for cooperation among countries in the region, highlighting the opportunities it presents for economic growth, stability, and European integration. She emphasizes the importance of fostering dialogue and partnerships to address common challenges and unlock shared benefits, underscoring the RCC's role in facilitating this collaborative effort.
RCC Secretary General for European Western Balkans
21 MARCH 2024 | INTERVIEW
European Western Balkans (EWB) published an interview with RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu.
The interview dubbed "Bregu: EU Growth Plan could double Western Balkan economies in the next decade" delves into the significance of the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and the ongoing efforts towards the creation of a Common Regional Market (CRM). With a commitment of €6 billion, the Growth Plan aims to bolster economic growth and socio-economic convergence in the Western Balkans, crucial for advancing the region's EU integration. Bregu emphasises the substantial disparities between the region and the EU in key economic indicators, highlighting the urgent need for closer alignment.
The interview underscores the potential of the Growth Plan to double the region's economies within a decade and stresses the importance of CRM in facilitating access to the EU Single Market. Bregu also discusses the challenges posed by internal political crises and regional issues, emphasising the necessity for consensus and implementation of agreed-upon measures. Furthermore, Bregu acknowledges the role of civil society organisations in promoting regional cooperation and integration, stressing the importance of their engagement and recommendations in initiatives like the Berlin Process.
Among other things, Bregu says: Central to the Growth Plan is the Common Regional Market (CRM) Action Plan, spearheaded by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). Building upon successful initiatives already in place within the CRM, the Growth Plan is crucial in offering the Western Balkans opportunities for closer integration with the EU’s Single Market. However, access to the EU Single Market is contingent upon fulfilling commitments within the Common Regional Market framework, itself modelled on the EU Single Market.
Interview with RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu for KDPolitik.com
24 JANUARY 2024 | INTERVIEW
Online portal KDPolitik.com published an interview with Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). Bregu spoke about the imperative of implementing national reform, creating a Common Regional Market, joining the EU Single Market and EU accession, and preventing blockage of regional processes.
Secretary General Bregu for RTV Klan's "31 Minuta"
08 JANUARY 2024 | VIDEO INTERVIEW
RTV Klan's show "31 Minuta" featuring Regional Cooperation Council's Secretary General Majlinda Bregu's statement on youth exodus and how much it costs our region, but also on policies to keep our youth in the Western Balkans.
View:
Secretary General Bregu for RTSH's show "3D"
19 OCTOBER 2023 | VIDEO INTERVIEW
Regional Cooperation Council's Secretary General Majlinda Bregu's interview for Radio Televizioni Shqiptar with Alban Dudushin, on Common Regional Market, roaming reductions between European Union and the Western Balkans, regional cooperation in the region, and more.
View: SQ
RCC Secretary General for BHT
05 OCTOBER 2023 | VIDEO INTERVIEW
RCC SG Majlinda Bregu for BiH public broadcaster BHT on the benefits of EU-Western Balkans roaming charges reduction for region’s citizens, digitalisation in the region and more.
View: BS
RCC Secretary General Bregu for Inglosus Foundation
30 AUGUST 2023 | VIDEO INTERVIEW
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu interview for Inglosus Foundation given on the sidelines of the Digisustain Conference in Frankfurt.
View: EN
Secretary General for Radio Televizioni Shqiptar
04 JULY 2023 | INTERVIEW
Regional Cooperation Council's Secretary General Majlinda Bregu's interview for Radio Televizioni Shqiptar with Elona Meco, on Common Regional Market, roaming reductions between European Union and the Western Balkans, regional cooperation in the region, EU integration of the Western Balkans and more.
Secretary General for the Frankfurter Rundschau
14 JUNE 2023 | INTERVIEW
German daily Frankfurter Rundschau published an article featuring RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) on regional cooperation, investments in Western Balkans, EU integration and Common Regional Market.
Interview by Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Majlinda Bregu: Closing in to Europe: lowering roaming prices between Western Balkans and EU
09 MAY 2023 | INTERVIEW
On Europe Day, Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, in an interview for "Zëri" , gives the first details of one of the concrete achievements for the citizens of the Western Balkans.
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu for North Macedonian kdp.mk
28 MARCH 2023 | INTERVIEW
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu spoke to North Macedonian web-portal kdp.mk about mobility agreements signed four months ago as part of Berlin Process Summit by WB leaders, on roaming, Common Regional Market, regional integration, and more.
In the interview dubbed "WE NEED AN INVESTMENT CLIMATE FOR THE WESTERN BALKANS ", among other things, Bregu said:
"Every single effort and achievement that gives a chance to this part of the world we live in, to be closer, more cooperative, further economically integrated with each other , even through the Common Regional Market, is another step forward towards creating a welcoming climate for investments, attracting long-term investments and not allowing economies to be emptied of young people."
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu for Politicki.ba
19 JANUARY 2023 | INTERVIEW
Majlinda Bregu, RCC Secretary General spoke to BiH portal Politicki.ba about the upcoming EU-WB roaming prices reduction and the successes of the Roam Like at Home (RLAH) regime in the Western Balkans.
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu for FENA
19 JANUARY 2023 | INTERVIEW
Majlinda Bregu, RCC Secretary General spoke to BiH portal Federalna Novinska Agencija - FENA about the upcoming EU-WB roaming prices reduction and the successes of the Roam Like at Home (RLAH) regime in the Western Balkans.
RCC Secretary General for TRT World
04 JANUARY 2023 | VIDEO INTERVIEW
Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Majlinda Bregu spoke to TRT World.
Bregu spoke about the position of the Western Balkans in regards of the war in Ukraine, Russian influence in the Balkans, EU enlargement of the region's economies, the importance of the regional cooperation and much more.
View: EN
Anadolu Agency interview with RCC Secretary General dubbed "Bregu: Travel with ID cards in Western Balkans possible from 2023"
31 OCTOBER 2022 | INTERVIEW
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu interview to Anadolu Agency dubbed "Bregu: Travel with ID cards in Western Balkans possible from 2023" on three Western Balkans mobility agreements, when they will enter into force, what are the expected results, and the next steps for the Western Balkans.
Bregu: Roaming free regime between the EU and Western Balkans is our next objective
27 OCTOBER 2022 | INTERVIEW
Majlinda Bregu, RCC Secretary General spoke to BiH portal Politicki.ba about three mobility agreements approved by the Western Balkans Foreign Ministers on 21 October 2022 and expected to be signed by Western Balkans leaders on 3 November in Berlin at the Berlin Process Summit:
- Agreement on Freedom of Movement with Identity Cards in the Western Balkans,
- Agreement on Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications and
- Agreement on Recognition of Professional Qualifications for Doctors, Dentists and Architects
RCC Secretary General for Bota.al
25 JULY 2022 | INTERVIEW
Albanian web portal Bota.al published an interview with RCC Secretary General Malinda Bregu.
Bregu spoke about the current Western Balkan economies' European Union integration process with special reflection on the Albania, about regional cooperation, and more.
Full article in Albanian is at a link bellow.
In addition, find excerpts of the article featuring statements by the RCC SG in English language.
RCC Secretary General for Indeks
06 APRIL 2022 | INTERVIEW
North Macedonian web portal Indeks published an interview with RCC Secretary General Malinda Bregu.
Bregu spoke about the impact of the current situation in Europe on Western Balkan economies, regional cooperation, EU integration and more.
Entire interview in Albanian language is available on the link below.
Download: SQ
RCC Secretary General for EurActiv: Brave New Europe?!
30 MARCH 2022 | INTERVIEW
Brave New Europe?! - Op-ed by RCC SG Majlinda Bregu published by EurActiv, on EU enlargement process in the light of the latest circumstances in Ukraine.
"For a long time now, there has been a dichotomy between methodology and the political aspects of the EU integration, which is put to the test now with the calls for fast-track EU membership of Ukraine and the tortoise pace of accession of the Western Balkans, writes Majlinda Bregu." said RCC SG Majlinda Bregu
Download: EN
European Union is Our Future, No Alternative, Interview by RCC Secretary General for Novi Magazin
02 DECEMBER 2021 | INTERVIEW
Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Majlinda Bregu spoke to Serbian Novi Magazin about Western Balkans EU integration, Common Regional Market and Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, region's response to Covid-19 pandemic and much more.
"Weak Western Balkans makes the EU weak too. But a lot is being said each day by both the EU and Western Balkans leaders. The truth is that the enlargement has become a lot more brutal. In times when geostrategic shifts are taking place across the globe, the impasse of Western Balkans EU accession is never a good news. The scale of problems in the Western Balkans is a call to go beyond nudges and patches. Western Balkans is part of Europe, and is of the vital importance in this political realism. The need for Europe is as powerful as it is unsatisfied.", said Bregu, among other things.
RCC Secretary General and Senior Connectivity Expert Pranvera Kastrati @Twitter on Roaming Free Western Balkans
03 SEPTEMBER 2021 | INTERVIEW
RCC's Secretary General Majlinda and Senior Connectivity Expert Pranvera Kastrati talked today on Twitter about the Roaming Free Western Balkans, the process behind it, benefits for region's citizens and ongoing negotiations about lowering roaming charges with the European Union.
"Compelled to make things better, whomever, wherever, however the solution for the Balkans is for countries to work together.", said among other things Majlinda Bregu.
Audio: EN
Download:
RCC Secretary General for Montenegrian Vijesti: “Knowing the right people” does not lead to the EU
26 JULY 2021 | INTERVIEW
RCC Secretary General gave an interview for Montenegrian Vijesti
"We know, Regional cooperation will prevail on the strength of its ideas and ideals, not on the disputes and the name of documents. We know economies of the region will be competitive when it should be, collaborative when it must be. We just hope those will be adversarial only when this is inevitable.
The prospect of eventual EU membership has been a driving force during all these years for all Western Balkan economies and background against which many common initiatives in the region were undertaken. For us dealing with regional cooperation it has been the predominant factor in urging the Western Balkans to engage with one another in a more positive manner as well as address not only the domestic problems they face, but also the unresolved issues in the region. I keep hearing yet whether WB is a geopolitical priority for EU. As long as this might be a farfetched question, is not a question of choice BUT of necessity, imperative and vision. One that begs just one sole answer - it must," said RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu for Montenegrian Vijesti.
COVID-19 and the World of Decent Work
29 APRIL 2021 | INTERVIEW
Article on the occasion of 1 May, Labour Day
2021 edition of the International Labour Day: COVID-19 and the World of Decent Work
"Around a quarter of youth in the Western Balkans are NEETs – neither in employment, education or training (2019 data). Moreover, out of the total registered unemployed at the end of February 2021, 173,031 are young people, under 24 years, which is more than 12% of all registered unemployed."
By Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)
RCC Secretary General for Fena: As of July 1, roaming costs in the entire Western Balkans will be zero
26 APRIL 2021 | INTERVIEW
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu spoke to BiH news agency Fena end of April 2021
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu spoke to BiH news agency FENA end of April 2021. Bregu, among other things, spoke about RCC’s and Western Balkans response to Covid-19 outbreak, challenges the region is facing, such as high unemployment, Regional Roaming Agreement, which will bring zero roaming costs within the Western Balkans as of 1 July, digital agenda and the implementation of initiatives that will contribute to digitalization of the Western Balkans.
“Digital agenda is not only composed of Roaming agreement. There are a lot of good and implementable deliverables we are working on, such as e-commerce.
79% of business communities say they do not feel the necessity to switch on online digital services, even they generate money through online sales. We will be working as well on zeroing tariffs on payments and fees while transferring money from one economy to another. A digital story is continuing together with innovations.”, said Bregu.
Bregu: Common Regional Market is a tool that will get us faster to the EU accession
08 DECEMBER 2020 | INTERVIEW
In an interview originally published by BiH portal Politicki.ba, Majlinda Bregu spoke about the Common Regional Market (CRM), endorsed in Sofia on 10 November 2020 by Western Balkans leaders. Read about the purpose, benefits and next steps in the implementation of the CRM Action Plan.
Interview of the RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu for Novi Magazin
05 NOVEMBER 2020 | INTERVIEW
"Western Balkans needs to pull its own weight as well, and there comes the Common Regional Market Plan that goes hand in hand with EU’s EIP. We are very small geographic area of around 18 million people altogether. And yet, almost 50% of people in the Western Balkans do not have the equal opportunity to free movement with identity documents. It is a region of scattered markets with different rules and procedures. The goal is to synchronise them to allow for smooth flow of goods, people, services, capital, but also to make the entire region an attractive investment destination. But we also have to bear in mind the global trend in digitalisation and develop plans to catch up with new technologies so we would be competitive."
Secretary General for EWB: Western Balkans can not lose another decade marked with new instabilities
14 SEPTEMBER 2020 | INTERVIEW
European Western Balkans (EWB), a regional web portal specialized in European integration process of the Western Balkans, published an interview with RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu on regional initiative “Green Corridors”, an initiative "achieved in times of big crisis. Western Balkans 6, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Transport Community Treaty Secretariat and CEFTA, with the support of the European Commission and our bordering EU member states, helped governments in the region to set and open a very much needed measure in the given situation to maintain the flow of goods, especially food, medicines and medical equipment within the region and between the region and the EU in the time of lockdown caused by the coronavirus outbreak. "
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu for Deutsche Welle
11 SEPTEMBER 2020 | INTERVIEW
Deutsche Welle published an interview with RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu.
Among other things Bregu said: "Any initiative that takes economic co-operation forward is always welcome and worth discussing. However, on the other hand, I think there is room in the Western Balkans to include all those good ideas that may come from initiatives, such as the so-called Mini-Schengen initiative, in this very framework of the Regional Economic Area on which we have been working for several years."
RCC Secretary General for Radio Free Europe (RFE)
05 MAY 2020 | INTERVIEW
“Implementation of initiatives to strengthen cooperation amongst the [Western] Balkans Six economies would create conditions for better life of our citizens. What might save us from pains is for the political leaders and experts to say, because coronavirus pandemic is an abnormal situation that comes with abnormal risks. Cooperation is vital and I believe we all got the idea that solo play will bring us nowhere,” said, among other things, RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu in Radio Free Europe’s (RFE) article dubbed “Economic cooperation in Western Balkans: Solo play will bring us nowhere” analyzing the effects COVID-19 pandemic will have on the economy of Western Balkans.
The full article including the original answers to RFE questions provided by the RCC SG is available in the document.
Download: EN
Majlinda Bregu, RCC SG's interview for N1 about the Western Balkans during & after COVID-19 pandemic
26 APRIL 2020 | VIDEO INTERVIEW
Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) talks to N1 TV in an online interview about life in the Western Balkans during the corona virus pandemic, its effects on the tourism sector, Green Corridors and the EU integration of the region
Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Majlinda Bregu for Euronews Albania
24 JANUARY 2020 | INTERVIEW
Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Majlinda Bregu spoke to Euronews Albania on meaning, importance, successes and challenges of the Regional Economic Area.
The entire interview is avaliable at the following link https://euronews.al/al/aktualitet/2020/01/23/majlinda-bregu-shpresoj-qe-marreveshja-ps-pd-te-mos-jete-vetem-per-paqe-mes-aktoreve-te-politikes
Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu in the EU Scream podacst on the EU perspective of the Western Balkans
09 JANUARY 2020 | INTERVIEW
Secretary General of the regional Cooperation Council Majlinda Bregu in the EU Scream podacst on the EU perspective of the Western Balkans
https://euscream.com/macrons-ugly-side/
Audio: EN
Download: EN
Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Majlinda Bregu for “Vijesti”
09 JANUARY 2020 | INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW: Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Majlinda Bregu for “Vijesti”
RCC Secretary-General Majlinda Bregu's interview to the Albanian magazine Monitor
08 JANUARY 2020 | INTERVIEW
"The Western Balkans is not the same as 10 or 20 years ago. So new, innovative ideas, free movement, new approaches to structural funds, environment, tourism, connectivity, youth, women and the need for more women and girls in science and technology, etc., are the real debate to be held today."
Secretary General Bregu: Delay in the EU enlargement generates "disappointment climate" in the Western Balkans
06 DECEMBER 2019 | INTERVIEW
RCC Secretary General for Austria Presse Agentur (APA): The delay in the EU enlargement has created a "disappointment climate" in the Western Balkans. "People are the ones who really support the EU accession process," says Secretary General. "They believe that if the EU standards apply to their country, they will feel safer, have equal opportunities to find a job, and be treated fairly in court of justice."
Bregu: Region cannot wait forever in the line for EU
18 NOVEMBER 2019 | INTERVIEW
RCC Secretary General for Politika: “The new EU enlargement strategy has to be a bold, clear, coherent strategy, avoiding ambiguity, a methodology that could install better connection between the EU and the Western Balkans even before accession, without empty promises, and definitely a methodology that could empower economies in the region to work on the reforms."
Regional cooperation is becoming a steady pattern to EU’s magnetic attraction
02 JULY 2019 | INTERVIEW
The article of the RCC's Secretary General, Majlinda Bregu tackles anticipations of the Berlin Process's Western Balkans Summit in Poznan, Poland, staring on 4 July 2019.
Summing the expectations up, Secretary General Bregu writes: On 1st of July, Roaming Reductions arrived. On 4th of July, the Western Balkans summit in Poznan will start. EU is a magnetic attraction, while regional cooperation is becoming a steady pattern. For the future, let’s look into the past because the unsavoury one is still a threat! But REA has a clear status with togetherness at its core. Let’s give REA and regional cooperation the force to chart a sustainable long term Western Balkan reconciliation! Through economy, lifting all existing barriers!
Interview: Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the RCC to A2 CNN channel
12 JUNE 2019 | VIDEO INTERVIEW
The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu spoke with Endri Xhafo, journalist of Tirana-based A2 CNN, “I Ftuari” show, on visa liberalisation but also on the overall situation in the region, regional cooperation, results achieved and steps to follow in the upcoming period.
View: SQ
Majlinda Bregu, the RCC Secretary General to Milica Magazine
18 APRIL 2019 | INTERVIEW
In the interview to women's online Milica magazine, RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu talks about the region of South East Europe, successes and challenges of regional cooperation but also about the position of women in the region and being a woman in politics.
RCC Secretary General, Majlinda Bregu for Al Jazeera Balkans
03 APRIL 2019 | VIDEO INTERVIEW
Majlinda Bregu, the RCC Secretary General in an interview to Al Jazeera Balkans', 'Tell it to Al Jazeera' ('Recite Al Jazeeri') programme, talks about regional cooperation, achievements, challenges, her vision of the Western Balkans, benefits of the accession to the EU and much more.
View: EN
Majlinda Bregu, RCC Secretary General in "My Living' programme of Albanian Tring TV
28 MARCH 2019 | VIDEO INTERVIEW
RCC Secretary General was a guest of 'My living' programme produced by Albanian TRING TV (tring.al). The programme features Ms Bregu during one day in Sarajevo in business and private setting.
View: SQ
RCC Secretary General, Majlinda Bregu in RTSH1 Përballë programme
21 MARCH 2019 | VIDEO INTERVIEW
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu was a guest in Përballë programme of the Albanian Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH1), hosted by Lutfi Dervishi.
The topics involved expected accomplishments of regional cooperation in 2019 and how they would affect ordinary citizens in the region.
Bregu: Investment in the European future of the Western Balkans is a win-win choice
15 FEBRUARY 2019 | INTERVIEW
BiH online magazine BUKA, published an interview with the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Majlinda Bregu talking about the economic situation in the region, brain-drain, corruption, unresolved issues, but also about opportunities and necessity of regional cooperation and common European future.