SEECP leaders support RCC's Annual Report and new strategy at Tirana summit

The leaders of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), who met today at the SEECP Summit in Tirana, formally endorsed the Annual Report of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) for the period 2024-2025.

They welcomed the organization's Strategy and Work Program for 2026-2028 and highlighted the Council's key role in advancing regional cooperation, the RCC said.

Summit participants once again expressed strong support for the work of the RCC and recognized the organization's key role in fostering cooperation, resilience, and economic harmonization across Southeastern Europe.

They highlighted the SEECP's political guidance towards the RCC, encouraged the organizations' further engagement in facilitating regional programs and projects, and recognized the RCC's achievements in supporting progress towards a common European future, the statement said.

"Through trust, delivery and results, we are demonstrating that South East Europe is ready to contribute to the resilience and future of Europe. The Regional Cooperation Council will continue to invest in what delivers results and builds a smarter, more skilled and more sustainable region. The citizens of the region are looking for results and want practical change, stronger economies, more opportunities and real progress towards Europe. The Regional Cooperation Council is fully committed to helping the region achieve these expectations," said the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Amer Kapetanović.

The work of the Regional Cooperation Council was also welcomed at the meeting of foreign ministers of the South East European Cooperation Process, held earlier today, where ministers discussed ways to strengthen regional competitiveness and inclusive growth as an activity within the framework of EU integration.

The main achievements over the past year, as outlined in the Annual Report of the Regional Cooperation Council, include the start of the implementation of the new Regional Single Market Action Plan for the period 2025-2028, deeper financial integration with the four economies that joined the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), next steps under the Green Agenda and climate resilience, progress in the area of ​​human capital mobility and digital innovation, and a drop in data roaming prices between the European Union and the Western Balkans of up to 99%.

The new Strategy and Work Programme of the Regional Cooperation Council for the period 2026-2028 will foster resilience through transformation and development, while integrating the main frameworks of this organization, namely the common regional market, the South-East Europe 2030 strategy, and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.

Participants in the South East Europe Cooperation Process confirmed the region's commitment to improving the implementation of the South East Europe 2030 Strategy.

As another sign of stronger regional cooperation, the chairmanship of the South East European Cooperation Process was handed over today to Sofia, which will lead the process for the next year.

On the sidelines of the SEECP Summit in Tirana, RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanović met with the President of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, and the President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, to discuss enhancing regional cooperation and implementing joint agendas aimed at strengthening connectivity, deepening economic integration, and ensuring long-term stability in Southeastern Europe.