Interviews/Articles/Speeches
Speech by RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanovic on the occasion of 18th anniversary of Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)
16 FEBRUARY 2026 | SPEECH
Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) marked its 18th anniversary on 16 February 2026 in Sarajevo.
In his speech RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanovic reflected on three decades of regional cooperation in South East Europe reaffirmed its continued relevance. He stressed that while efficiency and results matter, durable progress in the region depends on trust, inclusive processes, and cooperation that delivers tangible benefits for citizens. Kapetanovic underlined the RCC’s commitment to people-centred outcomes, safeguarding mutual trust, and using its convening power to keep regional dialogue alive in an increasingly polarised environment, framing cooperation as a strategic choice and a shared responsibility for the region’s future.
Among other thins, he said: “This year, we mark thirty years of the SEECP, eighteen years of the RCC, twenty years of CEFTA and CEI, and ten years of RYCO. These anniversaries matter because they signal continuity. Cooperation in South East Europe has expanded not because it was convenient, but because it was necessary. It has taken different forms, sometimes overlapping, sometimes imperfect, but it endured because it delivered stability, connectivity and shared interest. If one word were to define the challenge before us this year, it would be meaning: the meaning of South East Europe for the European Union and the major powers, but above all, the meaning it has for those who live here. Whether we are members of the EU and NATO or still on that path, cooperation must be a strategic choice, not an obligation imposed by circumstance.”
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Speech by RCC Secretary General at the Balkan Barometer 2025 presentation
11 DECEMBER 2025 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanović opened the presebtation of Balkan Barometer 2025 data in Brussels on 11 December 2025.
Kapetanović presented the key findings of the Balkan Barometer 2025, highlighting citizens’ persistent concerns over inflation, economic pressures, corruption, and instability, while underscoring a major resurgence of public optimism toward EU integration - the highest in a decade. Kapetanović stressed that both citizens and businesses increasingly view regional cooperation and EU-aligned reforms as practical tools for economic improvement, mobility, and predictability, noting that trust in institutions and support for integration are deeply interconnected. With youth showing the strongest pro-EU sentiment and businesses backing measures that reduce barriers and costs, he frames the accession process as not only political but also economic and psychological progress for the region.
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Speech by RCC Secretary General at the SecuriMeter 2025 presentation
19 NOVEMBER 2025 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanovic opened the presentation of the SecuriMeter 2025 findings at the Belgrade Security Conference on 19 November 2025.
Among other things, Kapatanovic emphasised that trust is the central theme emerging from this year’s survey. “If SecuriMeter could be summarised in one word, it would be trust. People across the Western Balkans are telling us that their biggest concerns today are not distant threats but the resilience of their institutions, the fairness of governance, and the predictability of their future. The good news is that trust can be rebuilt: when institutions deliver, trust grows; when reforms are visible, confidence grows; and when the European path is credible, trust rises at home as well,” said Kapetanović.
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Speech by RCC Secretary General, Amer Kapetanovic at Western Balkans Human Capital Days
28 OCTOBER 2025 | SPEECH
Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Amer Kapetanovic opened the Western Balkans Human Capital Days in Tirana on 28 October 2025.
In his opening remarks Kapetanovic, among other things, said: “Our region is not losing factories or technology; we are losing people, the very engine that keeps everything else moving,” Kapetanović said. “Investing in human capital is not a development strategy anymore, it is a survival strategy. Talent is our greatest currency. If we invest in it, nurture it, and value it, we will grow. If we let it drain away, we will struggle no matter what else we build.”
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Speech by RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanović at the Second Annual Ministerial Meeting on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans
14 OCTOBER 2025 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanovic opened the Second Annual Ministerial Meeting on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans in Dubrovnik on 14 October 2025.
Among other things, Kapetanovic said: “The Dubrovnik Declaration is not just another policy paper. It is a commitment to deliver. It moves the region from planning to measurable action.”
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Speech by RCC Secretary General at the High-Level Western Balkans Cybersecurity Conference
02 JULY 2025 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanovic opened a High-Level Western Balkans Cybersecurity Conference – CyberPulse 2025: Tracking Progress, Building Resilience, Driving Change held in Podgorica on 2 July 2025.
Among other things Kapetanovic said: "“Cybersecurity is not just about tech – it’s about trust, people, and partnerships. Our greatest firewall will be our shared goals and political will to reach them. The RCC will continue to champion coordinated regional efforts, because cyber threats are borderless, and so must be our response.”
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Speech by RCC Secretary General at the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Leaders Summit
16 JUNE 2025 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanović addressed the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Leaders’ Summit, held in Tirana, Albania on 16 June 2025.
Speaking under the theme “Fostering Stability and Prosperity through Regional Cooperation and EU Integration”, Kapetanović underlined that 82% of Western Balkans citizens support regional cooperation, sending a clear message that people see beyond political divisions and believe in a common future. He called for “leadership not only through declarations, but through concrete actions that make cooperation our default mode, not the exception,” stressing that anniversaries marking 30 years of SEECP and 18 years of RCC should serve as moments for renewal. Presenting RCC’s new three-year Strategy built around smart development, skilled societies, and sustainable futures, Kapetanović emphasised that regional cooperation is not a waiting room for the EU but a platform of strategic value in its own right. He also highlighted the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans as a unique opportunity to close the socio-economic gap, warning that “implementation must follow intent” if governments want to retain the trust of citizens.
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Speech by RCC Secretary General at Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP)
16 JUNE 2025 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanović addressed the meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), held in Tirana, Albania on 16 June 2025.
Speaking on the theme “Boosting Regional Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth as Pathways to EU Integration”, Kapetanović emphasised that the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans makes competitiveness and inclusivity prerequisites for integration into the EU Single Market, with the Common Regional Market at its core. He underlined that “growth that leaves people behind is neither sustainable nor legitimate,” stressing that inclusivity must be economic, social, and political. Presenting RCC’s new three-year Strategy and Work Programme under the imperative “Building resilience through transformation”, he outlined three strategic pillars: the SEE2030 Strategy, the Common Regional Market, and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, supported by transformations in smart development, skilled societies, and sustainable futures. Kapetanović concluded by noting that anniversaries marking 30 years of SEECP and 18 years of RCC should serve not just as commemoration but as an opportunity to recalibrate regional cooperation, reminding participants that “the RCC is only as effective as the political will and ownership behind it”
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Speech by RCC Secretary General at the Conference on Labour Migration: Supporting Economic Growth in the Western Balkans
15 MAY 2025 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General opened Amer Kapetanovic opened High-level Conference on Labour Migration: Supporting Economic Growth in the Western Balkans, held in Budva, Montenegro on 15 May 2025.
Addressing the urgent need for a collaborative transition and the Western Balkans' need to shift from fragmented, reactive migration policies to a coordinated, strategic framework for labour mobility that effectively balances retaining local talent with attracting ethical, well-managed labour immigration to tackle workforce shortages and drive regional growth and EU integration, Kapetanovic said: “Labour migration is no longer something we can plan for tomorrow, it is already reshaping our societies today. In just five years, the number of work permits issued to foreign workers in the Western Balkans has more than doubled, from 46,000 in 2018 to over 100,000 in 2023. At the same time, employers across the region are struggling to fill vacancies, while our own citizens remain in demand abroad. This dual reality calls for smart, inclusive, and human-centred policies. At RCC, we believe migration done right can bridge skills gaps, energise our economies, and restore dignity to work. That’s why we are investing in regional frameworks that align with EU standards, protect workers’ rights, and give people, whether they were born here or just arrived, a fair chance to build a life."
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Keynote speech by RCC SG at the “Advancing EU enlargement: Italy’s role and strategic convergence on the Western Balkans’ integration” conference
15 APRIL 2025 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanovic gave keynote speech on challenges ahead of the enlargement at the conference dubbed “Advancing EU enlargement: Italy’s role and strategic convergence on the Western Balkans’ integration” held in Rome on 15 April 2025.
Among other things, Kapetanovic said: "“In times when the very idea of a united Europe is tested, the Western Balkans offers a rare commodity as a living proof of how far we can go thanks to EU enlargement soft-power magnetism.
But Western Balkans cannot afford to be in Europe's waiting room. We must become a functional extension of the European Single Market. That is what Common Regional Market is all about. But the more we wait, the greater are the chances to turn this soft power in to a hard disappointment. This is a moment to see Western Balkans not as a region of problems, but as a region of partners. A region that is ready, able, and willing to contribute to Europe’s resilience, security, and prosperity.”
The conference was organized by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa and Istituto Affari Internazionali.
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Speech by the RCC Secretary General, Amer Kapetanovic, at the 2025 ESG Adria Summit
09 APRIL 2025 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanovic delivered a keynote speech focused on advancing regional cooperation as a key to the European future of the Western Balkans.
Among other things Kapetanovic said: “The latest Balkan Barometer shows that 82% of Western Balkan citizens support regional cooperation. That number speaks for itself – people recognise that when we work together, standards rise, markets open, and opportunities multiply. We have come a long way — from a fragmented landscape to the beginnings of a Common Regional Market. This is not just a bureaucratic term. It is a roadmap of how we move forward — step by step, reform by reform, result by result. It is not optional, but necessary. Regional cooperation is not a warm-up act – it is the main show. It’s a bridge to the EU single market and a stepping stone to integration, a foundation for our future.”
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Speech by RCC Secretary General as a guest lecturer at Faculty of Political Science of University of Sarajevo
03 FEBRUARY 2025 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanovic was a guest lecturer at the Faculty of Political Science of University of Sarajevo on 3 February 2025.
Lecture was titled: Growth Plan for the Western Balkans: Walking the Talk – Regional Cooperation in Action.
Kapetanovic’s speech highlighted the critical need for regional cooperation in the Western Balkans to drive economic growth and EU integration. He reflected on key milestones that have shaped the region’s progress, emphasizing that the importance of significant results—such as ID-based travel, a roaming-free zone, and increased trade—have been achieved, deeper transformation is still needed. The Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, backed by €6 billion from the EU, offers a unique opportunity for the region to integrate economically before full EU membership. However, this requires governance reforms, a stronger rule of law, and a commitment to digital and green transitions. Kapetanovic also stressed that cooperation is not just political—it is essential for creating jobs, retaining talent, and securing a prosperous future.
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Speech by RCC SG at Empower. Integrate. Grow. Conference panel titled “Moving Forward: Supporting Regional Integration and Integration with the EU”
28 JANUARY 2025 | SPEECH
RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanovic’s speech at the high level "Empower. Integrate. Grow." conference held in Becici on 28 January 2025 highlighted the Western Balkans' commitment to deeper regional and EU integration through the Common Regional Market 2.0 (CRM 2.0). He emphasized three strategic pillars: Empowering the Region, by investing in human capital, workforce mobility, and innovation to curb brain drain and enhance competitiveness; Integrating Economies, by removing trade barriers, improving the business climate, and boosting sustainable investments; and Growing Together, by accelerating digital transformation, expanding connectivity, and aligning with EU digital standards. Kapetanovic urged collective action to harness the region’s potential, ensuring a competitive, sustainable, and future-ready Western Balkans.
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