Regional interoperability and trust services require strong regional cooperation in order to speed up the process of modernisation of public administration. Interoperability is an enabler of effective new electronic governance, and its establishment in the WB region is based on the principles of user-oriented administration in accordance with social and user needs and priorities, and the requirements of EU interoperability.

COVID-19 stressed the importance of interoperability in our everyday life and has shown, among others, the ways in which trust services can help citizens interact with public administration without leaving their homes.

Western Balkan economies are making progress in this field, but still need to align their legislation with European Interoperability Framework and to continue with activities which can lead them to better interoperability and easier access to government services. Focus in this area is on deployment of eGovernment services, eProcurement and eHealth, where feasible, providing adequate infrastructure and technical standards as well as taking part in existing EU support programmes in the area of interoperability (i.e. ISA², which may facilitate integration in the new Digital Europe Programme).

The RCC has initiated regional discussion on recognition of trust services and will continue supporting any potential needs of WB economies in this area. The first meeting of the regional Working Group on interoperability and trust services was held in February 2020, and one of the topics of the meeting was Memorandum of Understanding on regional interoperability and trust services in the Western Balkan region, proposed by Albania. Consultations on this document are ongoing. The second meeting of the Working Group was held in May 2020 online, due to the pandemic.

Representatives of the Western Balkan economies in this area are coming from ICT ministries and other key line ministries, joined by the representatives from European Commission, CEFTA and ReSPA.