According to a new World Bank report discussed during the Berlin Process meetings, reducing the average border waiting time by three hours – the difference between the typical waiting time in the Western Balkans and countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – could contribute up to three percent of the gross national income.

The World Bank suggests that joining the European Union could enhance these benefits by an additional six percent. Moreover, EU neighbouring countries like Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria could see gains of around 0.2% due to increased trade with the Western Balkans.

“The Western Balkans holds the immense potential to tap into the market of 450 million people in the European Union. Global experiences, including those in the Western Balkans, show that access to international markets is vital for business growth and achieving economies of scale,” said Antonela Basani. She further added:

“Economic integration provides a swift path to adopting new technologies, flowing in new ideas and innovations, and transitioning to higher productivity supporting growth in middle-income economies.”

The World Bank is already collaborating with partners to facilitate trade and transport in the region through investments and reforms. They’re also supporting Western Balkans’ economies to align their payment systems with European Union standards and meet criteria for integration into the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA).

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Ultimately, the decision on whether to exploit the resource will rest with the local populace, who will express their view via a referendum.

ArCore AG, which has its local headquarters in Laktaši, released a statement detailing their completion of all necessary studies to identify the mineral deposits in the Lopare municipality region. 

“All investigations were rigorously adhered to, in compliance with legal regulations and aligning with the highest geological and environmental standards, both locally and internationally. We meet all prerequisites to apply for a concession to utilise this European mineral deposit. We were granted the exploration licence in 2018, followed by three intensive phases of research from 2020 to 2022. Our mineralogical studies over the past four and a half years reveal the deposit contains significant quantities of lithium carbonate, magnesium, potassium, and boron,” the company stated.

Conversely, Lopare municipality’s chief, Rado Savić, highlighted that the decision on lithium exploitation will be determined by the citizens through a referendum. However, this will only take place once all reports from relevant institutions are presented and assurances are given that the exploitation won’t negatively impact the environment.

Photo: Lopare, Promotivni film/printscreen

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At the Berlin Process Leaders’ Summit in Tirana, Czerwińska highlighted the Bank’s dedication to enhanced connectivity, green and digital transformation, and the strengthening of education and health sectors. Supporting the EU’s Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, EIB Global will amplify its role in the new Growth Plan for the region, especially under the Just Transition Initiative.

Czerwińska said, “Our unwavering support for the enlargement process leads to increased connectivity, a seamless green transition, tapping into the digital agenda, and fortifying education and health systems. Since 2009, the EIB has channelled nearly €11 billion into the Western Balkans, backing trans-European energy schemes and SMEs, thus enhancing the region’s ties with the EU.”

Collaborating with the European Commission and the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), EIB Global champions sustainable ventures. For 2023, commitments include a €100 million credit line for North Macedonian SMEs focusing on energy efficiency and renewables.

She added, “There’s consensus on improving governance, embracing digital transition, and accelerating renewables. Through collective efforts, like the Berlin Process, we aim to expedite the region’s EU accession.”

In 2023, EIB Global earmarked €120 million for Sarajevo’s transport modernisation and a Serbian road project, boosting regional connectivity and economic ties. Via EIB Global, the Bank’s external arm, support continues for pivotal regional infrastructure, such as rail networks in Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, and road projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The EIB’s commitment since 2009 totals nearly €11 billion, aimed at infrastructure, jobs, innovation, and SMEs in the Western Balkans.

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The agreement was signed by the Prime Ministers of Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“Four new professions have been added to those recognized last year at the Berlin Process Summit. We are beginning the process for nurses, veterinary surgeons, pharmacists, and midwives,” stated Majlinda Bregu, the Secretary-General of the Regional Cooperation Council, referencing last year’s agreement that recognised qualifications for dentists, architects, and medical doctors across the region.

Bregu emphasized that individuals in these professions will now have their diplomas recognised throughout the region. “This is our contribution to this year’s summit. We look forward to continuing our work and beginning the ratification procedures for this new agreement on professional qualifications,” she noted, adding that the summit concluded with a reduction in roaming charges between the Western Balkans and the European Union.

Additional agreements signed included the Joint Declaration on Wi-Fi for the Western Balkans Initiative, the Joint Declaration on a single euro payment area (SEPA), the Joint Declaration on regional climate partnership intentions, the Joint Statement on preventing plastic pollution, and several others.

On behalf of Serbia, the agreements were signed by Prime Minister Ana Brnabić.

Photo: Vlada Srbije

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Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, and Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, hailed the inauguration as a move of great symbolic significance. They expressed optimism that the opening of the College of Europe’s campus in Albania is a precursor to the Western Balkans’ accession to the EU.

Michel emphasised that this is the newest campus of the College of Europe since 1992, when the second campus was launched in Poland. This comes at a time when the entirety of the Western Balkans is gearing up for a future within the EU, akin to the preparations of Central European countries in the 1990s. “This campus will bridge the region and the EU, fostering a shared European future. Its opening bears profound symbolic importance,” stated Michel.

Von der Leyen recalled that shortly after the inauguration of the Polish campus, Poland and other Central European nations joined the EU. She hopes that the Western Balkans will follow suit after the establishment of the College of Europe’s campus in Albania.

Besides the campuses in Tirana and Warsaw, the College of Europe also has a campus in Bruges, Belgium, which was the first to be opened.

Photo: Twitter @collegeofeurope

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The conference, themed “Smart and Green Growth – Locally, Regionally, European”, was organised by NALED in collaboration with other members of the Competitive Region Partnership. This initiative received backing from both the Swedish Government, implemented through Sida, and German development cooperation facilitated by GIZ.

The conference showcased the inaugural regional index on sustainable economic development conditions, encompassing Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Collectively, these nations represent a market of nearly 20 million people with a combined GDP nearing 200 billion euros.

In his opening remarks, Jakov Milatović, President of the host nation Montenegro, emphasised the pivotal role of good neighbourly relations for the region’s further advancement. He expressed his keenness to restore and normalise relations with Serbia, mentioning his recent trip to Belgrade as evidence. “Serbia is our largest tourist market, and last year, our top foreign investor. Yet, we lack an ambassador and direct payment traffic. Instead of politics propelling our relationship forward, it has nearly hindered it. This is not my political vision, and I want it to change. It’s essential to remember that the EU began as a regional integration story, and that should be our path as well,” stated Milatović.

In terms of the regional index, Croatia ranked highest, followed by Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, and lastly, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Furthermore, the conference opening marked an occasion for Niš, Paraćin, Stanari, and Srbac to be awarded the favourable business environment certificate (BFC SEE). This accolade sees them joining a network of 44 local authorities from the region that were certified in the recent cycle.

Photo: naled.rs

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The agreement prioritises projects aimed at enhancing employment opportunities and social rights, upgrading health and social institutions, and promoting tourism, cultural heritage, and nature conservation. The pact was endorsed by Emanuele Ziofre, EU Ambassador to Serbia, Milena Žižić, State Secretary of Montenegro’s European Affairs Ministry, and Tanja Miščević, Serbia’s Minister for European Integration.

Ambassador Ziofre commented on the signing: “Today’s agreement, benefiting from EU funds, underscores the EU’s commitment to bolstering unity, progress, and addressing key challenges like public health, employment, and the preservation of rich cultural legacies.”

He further highlighted the significance of such collaborative projects, emphasizing their role in fostering stronger ties amongst neighbouring nations. “They are a testament to the EU’s dedication to a united, prosperous, and peaceful Europe,” Ziofre concluded.

The EU delegation stated that cross-border cooperation provides a structured framework for management and decentralization, offering flexibility in aid application. The IPA establishes a firm link between budgetary and strategic enlargement aspects, outlining what aid recipient countries can anticipate, provided they meet requisite conditions.

Photo: europa.rs

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The summit, the sixth of its kind, was organised to stimulate collaboration in digital transformation, innovation, and connectivity. Gathering over 400 attendees, including government representatives, industry leaders, and digital sector experts, the collective sentiment was that the shared future for Western Balkan countries lies in connectivity, with digital technologies being instrumental in achieving this vision.

Among the participants were Oliver Varhelyi, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement of the European Commission, Robert Viola, Head of the EU Directorate for Communication and Technology, and Germany’s State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Digital Technology and Transport. Representing Serbia was State Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications, Milan Dobrijevic.

Varhelyi, in a video message, emphasised cyber security’s prominence on the European Commission’s agenda, assuring that Brussels would assist Western Balkan nations in meeting European standards. Reflecting this, the European Commission had launched the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans in 2018, tracking countries’ transitions towards a digital economy.

The Commission, partnering with countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, agreed to invest in broadband connectivity, cyber security, and R&D for a digital economy. This June, the EU declared a new investment package of £1.8 billion for 14 Western Balkan projects.

Majlinda Bregu, Secretary-General of the Regional Cooperation Council (co-organisers of the Summit), highlighted the substantial roaming price reductions between regional countries and the EU, decreasing on average by 99% from October 1st. 

“The cost of roaming for one gigabyte of data was around £6,800, but after the reduction, it will be at most £12. This means reduced bills for residents travelling between the region and the EU,” Bregu noted.

Roberto Viola urged Western Balkan countries to actively engage in the Digital Europe Programme, which offers billions for development. “Through this and other programmes, we’re providing Western Balkan countries access to technologies like supercomputers,” concluded Viola.

Key takeaways from the summit
– The Western Balkan region holds the potential to lead in the digital economy, but must invest in its infrastructure, skills, and innovation.
– Digital transformation can boost economic growth, create jobs, and enhance the life quality of Western Balkans citizens.
– Building an inclusive and equitable digital society that safeguards citizens’ privacy and security is crucial.
– Cyber security and data protection are vital for a thriving digital economy.
– Western Balkans should encourage innovations and entrepreneurship in the digital sector.

Photo: mit.gov.rs

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A local photographer captured this rare species on camera. 

Once more widespread across the Middle East, North Africa, and the Alpine regions, this endangered bird now primarily resides in Morocco, Turkey, and Syria. 

Slovenian broadcaster N1 reports that Austrian conservationists are keen on reintroducing the species in their country, which may explain its increasing appearances in Slovenia.

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In December of the previous year, 38 telecom operators from the EU and the Western Balkans inked this accord which has now taken effect. This heralds lowered data roaming prices, making data transfer between the Western Balkans and the EU more affordable for both individuals and businesses in these regions.

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The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the European Commission have both backed this endeavour.

The operators have voluntarily committed to narrowing the gap between data roaming and domestic rates when travelling between the EU and the Western Balkans in both directions.

At present, the initial reduced rates are being implemented by telecom operators participating in the agreement, with many of them offering packages at prices substantially below the agreed maximum thresholds, making them accessible to a broad range of consumers.

Further rate reductions are on the cards for 2026, adhering to the stipulated timeline, with an aim to align data roaming charges ever closer to domestic rates by 2028.

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The tournament will gather a large number of clubs, all united by a common goal: cooperation, development, and refinement of boxing in the Balkans, as stated by the competition’s organisers.

Competing on the global stage, fostering friendships, strengthening the region, and prosperity are the primary objectives set within this boxing competition, which also stands as the first sports project under the “Open Balkan” initiative.

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“Good morning, Montenegro. Never in our nation’s history has a higher employment rate been recorded than in July this year, with 258,000 employed individuals. Compared to the same period last year, the number of employed has increased by 23,000. Moreover, compared to the record year of 2019, today’s number of employed is higher by an astonishing 43,000,” Abazović wrote on network X.

Referencing statistics from the agency Monstat, the Montenegrin Prime Minister highlighted that an increase in employment has been observed in all cities across Montenegro.

“All this indicates a rise in the country’s overall economic activity, as well as established greater discipline in financial and market controls. We are moving forward; we are on the right path,” Abazović conveyed.

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Slovenia saw the most significant rise in employment rate in this period, with an increase of 1.3 pp, followed closely by Portugal and Latvia, both registering a 1 pp increase.

Employment grew in 20 EU countries, remained stable in Estonia, and declined in six EU nations. The most substantial dip was in Bulgaria (0.8 pp), followed by Belgium (0.7 pp) and Romania (0.6 pp).

These insights were drawn from the Q2 2023 labour market report published by Eurostat.

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The roadmap is intended to provide a long-term vision that includes an action plan for hydrogen utilisation. This covers the cultivation of a novel economic chain anchored in hydrogen, encompassing hydrogen production, the establishment of supporting infrastructure, workforce development, new technological advancements, and manufacturing facilities based on hydrogen-centric technologies. It also aims to champion and foster awareness about the usage of hydrogen within the public sector and broader business community.

The overarching goal of the roadmap is to align ERS’s sustainable development with the European Green Deal and the EU guidelines for executing the green agenda in the Western Balkans, simultaneously aiming for climate neutrality.

A salient economic dimension of the roadmap is the transition to clean energy sourced from hydrogen. This aligns with EU regulations in this domain, which is expected to bolster ERS’s competitiveness, not only within the regional market but also within the broader EU market.

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