Bridging the divide
Majlinda Bregu is Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council
Two months ago, a series of developments signalled new momentum for the Western Balkans when it comes to EU and regional agendas. Albania opened the fundamentals negotiation cluster, while Moldova held its first intergovernmental conference. Montenegro is poised to provisionally close four more chapters, Serbia is expected to open Cluster 3, and the European Commission is preparing the negotiation framework for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Meanwhile, Kosovars enjoy visa-free travel to the EU as of January this year. These are not just incremental steps; they are a testament to the region’s persistence and the EU’s readiness to support progress, even if unevenly paced.
A decade of progress: regional cooperation as a catalyst for EU integration
Having dedicated much of my career to advancing the European integration of the Western Balkans, as a Member of Albania’s Parliament and also Minister for European Integration, I’ve witnessed both the promise and the challenges that accompany this journey.
Now, having been the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) for the past 6 years, I witnessed first-hand a powerful momentum driven by one unmistakable truth: we are stronger when we work together. For the Western Balkans, regional cooperation has become not only a cornerstone of our path to the EU but also a testament to our joint interests, resilience, and commitment to a shared future within Europe.
This year’s 10th anniversary of the Berlin Process Summit, hosted by Germany, showcased the power of regional cooperation. As Secretary General of the RCC, I am proud to have witnessed the tangible outcomes of this collaboration. From the ground-breaking ‘roam-like-at-home’ agreement eliminating regional roaming charges to the EU-WB Roaming Declaration reducing EU-Western Balkans data costs, our region has made significant strides towards integration.
Economic connectivity has been another cornerstone. The Common Regional Market (CRM) has emerged as a vital bridge to the EU Single Market. The recent European Commission approval of the Reform Agenda for most of the Western Balkans marks a pivotal step forward. These reforms, aligned with the Growth Plan, represent a new chain process: national reform agendas interconnected with regional frameworks, accelerating socio-economic convergence with the EU.
According to the 2024 Balkan Barometer, an impressive 82% of citizens across the Western Balkans stand in favour of regional cooperation. This statistic is more than just a number—it is a testament to the enduring will of our people to work together across borders, languages, and histories.
The Western Balkans are driven not merely by the promise of EU membership but by the conviction that, together, we can build a stronger, more resilient region that is a valuable contributor to the European community.
As Winston Churchill once said, “The empires of the future are the empires of the mind.” In the Western Balkans, our ‘empire’ is one of cooperation, powered by a collective mind-set for progress. Through initiatives like the Common Regional Market and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, we are dismantling barriers to trade, simplifying mobility, and promoting sustainable practices that align our policies with EU standards.
These accomplishments are not just boxes to be ticked — they are meaningful steps that connect our communities and prepare our economies for a future within the European Union.
The Western Balkans are driven not merely by the promise of EU membership but by the conviction that, together, we can build a stronger, more resilient region that is a valuable contributor to the European community
Turning challenges into opportunities
When I assumed the role of RCC Secretary General in 2019, I anticipated challenges but could not have foreseen the unprecedented crises that laid ahead: the COVID-19 pandemic and a war on Europe’s borders. These disruptions tested the resilience of our economies and societies, reshaping priorities and underscoring the importance of cooperation.
During the pandemic, the RCC together with its partners spearheaded the creation of Green Lanes to ensure uninterrupted flow of essential goods. This initiative not only mitigated supply chain disruptions but also saved businesses significant costs. Meanwhile, our work on regional mobility agreements has enabled millions of citizens to move freely with ID cards, facilitated diploma recognition, and standardised professional qualifications across the region.
These achievements underscore the truth: competition and cooperation are not mutually exclusive but rather two sides of the same coin. In an interconnected world, finding ways to compete constructively while working together on issues that transcend borders is priceless testament to the region’s ability to unify around shared goals, even amidst political tensions.
The broader vision: building a shared European identity
European integration is not merely about aligning policies or harmonising markets; it is about fostering a shared European identity. The Common Regional Market exemplifies this dual mission. By removing barriers to trade, mobility, and investment, we lay the groundwork for economic growth. Simultaneously, by promoting regional solidarity, we strengthen the cultural and social ties that bind us to Europe.
This shared vision extends beyond the Western Balkans. For the Eastern Partnership countries, the EU could offer tailored support, based on the good and functioning models we developed for the Western Balkans, which reflects their unique geopolitical realities. Whether through deepened trade agreements, targeted financial assistance or enhanced political dialogue, the goal remains the same: to create a more inclusive and cohesive Europe.
A call to action: cooperation is not a choice, but a must
As my tenure as RCC Secretary General comes to an end, I am filled with gratitude for the journey we have shared. Over the past six years, the RCC has grown from a facilitator of regional dialogue to a driver of tangible change. Together with our partners in the region and EU, we have demonstrated that the Western Balkans has the potential to enrich the European project.
Looking ahead, the road to EU membership remains challenging but not insurmountable. The Western Balkans has shown that with determination, resilience, and cooperation even the most ambitious goals are within reach. As we navigate this journey, let us remember that European integration is not an endpoint but a continuous process of building a stronger, more united continent.
The Common Regional Market offers a clear pathway forward, but its success depends on our ability to cultivate a shared vision for the future. The region should seize this moment to reaffirm its commitment to cooperation, inclusivity, and progress. For in doing so, we do not just bring our region closer to the EU; we bring Europe closer to its ideals.
To be very precise, I shall conclude with this. Regional cooperation should not be just about signing agreements, but about full implementation of the commitments. It is not enough to point fingers or wait for others to lead. There is room for everyone to do more.
We all need more integration than disintegration. We all need more cooperation than isolation. We all need more togetherness not in words but in actions. We need better planning and sustainable financial instruments as part of the new gradual accession of the Western Balkans into the EU. We need a growth mind-set, not only a Growth Plan. This is a collective journey if we want to drive real lasting change. Cooperation is not a choice but a must! We owe it to ourselves and to the future generations.
