Interviews/Articles/Speeches
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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