Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)

The first meeting of the Committee of Political Directors of #SEECP under the Bucharest Chairmanship-in-Office was held today in #Bucharest, co-chaired by RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanovic and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania's Secretary of State for European Affairs Clara Staicu. “Thirty years on, SEECP’s past justifies respect, but its future must justify relevance. The region now needs the capacity to act as one, moving from a habit of dialogue to a habit of delivery. The RCC stands fully at the disposal of the Bucharest Chairmanship, so that at the Summit, we can report not what we discussed, but what we changed,” said Kapetanović. Kapetanović wished Bucharest every success in carrying out its Chairmanship and expressed appreciation for dedication, close cooperation and genuine sense of regional ownership. #poweredbyRCC 🇪🇺

Climate change is already reshaping lives, communities and economies across the #WesternBalkansSix. From heatwaves and droughts to floods, wildfires and landslides, the costs are growing ⏭️ while preparedness and protection still need to catch up. But the region has a roadmap for: 🚨 better early-warning systems, 🏗️ climate-resilient infrastructure, 🌿 nature-based solutions, 👥 better prepared communities and 💶 more investment in resilience. But turning this roadmap into action requires keeping up the momentum ⏭️ this is why next week, we’re in #Zabljak for the Third Ministerial Meeting on the #GreenAgenda for the Western Balkans, organised by the RCC in cooperation with the Government of Montenegro and GIZ, to review progress and provide guidance for further implementation. Because climate risks do not stop at boundaries, and neither should our response 👉🏻 Green Agenda for the Western Balkans 🌍 #poweredbyRCC #🇪🇺

RCC Deputy Secretary General Dr. Umut Ergezer took part in the 32nd OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum Joint Preparatory Meeting’s discussion on new technologies in #Vienna, highlighting that technological transformation must go hand in hand with trust, investment, human capital and stronger #RegionalCooperation. “Technology gives us the tools. Patient capital gives us the time. Regional cooperation gives us scale, interoperability and trust. Cross-regional cooperation connects us to wider opportunities.” 👉🏻 said RCC DSG On the margins of the meeting, RCC DSG met with OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu to discuss opportunities for stronger cooperation ⏭️ with exchange focusing on transport, energy, digital and trade corridors, investment, and more, with both sides identifying potential for further synergies. DSG Ergezer also presented RCC’s #BalkanBarometer and #SecuriMeter, highlighting the value of evidence on citizens’ and businesses’ perceptions for understanding regional trends and informing policy and cooperation. #poweredbyRCC 🇪🇺 📸 Photo: Micky Kroell/OSCE

RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanovic met with Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Mickey Spajic in Podgorica today ⏭️ to discuss preparations for the upcoming Berlin Process events including the Third Ministerial Meeting on the #GreenAgenda for #WB, Meeting of Ministers of Economy and the Western Balkans Digital Summit, meetings contributing to the implementation of the RCC-coordinated #CommonRegionalMarket.   Great to see Montenegro’s strong commitment to the regional agenda, and to hear PM Spajić’s appreciation for RCC’s support along the way.   “Our shared task is to turn regional commitments into concrete results that bring the region closer together and closer to the EU. The RCC remains fully committed to supporting Montenegro in delivering on the priorities of the Berlin Process and making this year’s agenda a success” said Kapetanović.   While in Podgorica, RCC SG also met Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister Ervin Ibrahimovic and the EU Ambassador to Montenegro, Johann Sattler. Their exchanges centred on regional cooperation, Montenegro’s Berlin Process Chairmanship and keeping the Western Balkans’ European path moving forward through concrete regional results. Montenegro’s tangible progress towards EU membership remains a strong reflection of sustained efforts, commitment and reform.   More information 👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/dmcGGnZN   #poweredbyRCC 🇪🇺  #CRM #GAWB #WBDS

Today at the Académie diplomatique et consulaire de la France's "La Fabrique de la Diplomatie", hosted at Université Sorbonne Nouvelle in #Paris, RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanovic contributed to a discussion on Bosnia and Herzegovina, 30 years after Dayton - before an audience of students and professors. Thirty years is long enough to be honest. The agreement stopped the war. That is what it was for, and it did it. But a peace agreement can only provide the "scaffolding". The real construction, trust, functioning institutions, a shared future, has to happen inside, and only those who live there can do it. No treaty has ever been able to supply that, and none ever will. One lesson extends well beyond Bosnia and Herzegovina. Cooperation is not the reward at the end of reconciliation. It is one of the instruments that build it. What it makes possible is cooperation, and cooperation, sustained long enough, is what makes reconciliation conceivable. Cooperation without truth becomes theatre. Truth without cooperation becomes mere accusation. Our region needs both if we are to move from coexistence towards lasting reconciliation and cohesion. This is why our work at the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) matters more than its technical appearance suggests. Roaming abolished across the Western Balkans. Diplomas recognised. Border crossings measured in minutes. Students moving freely across lines their parents were taught to fear. None of it resolves the past - but all of it builds the ground on which that conversation can eventually happen. And it continues even when political relations are difficult, because cooperation is not only the product of good relations. It is what can still be built in their absence.We do not manage fear. We work to break it by bringing this region closer to the European Union, and by delivering the concrete things that make people's lives measurably better. Thanks to Ministère des Affaires étrangères français and Université Sorbonne Nouvelle for the invitation, and to panelists for a thoughtful and timely exchange. Full speech 👉🏻  https://lnkd.in/debxer4a

Meet Aleksandra Simoni, the #WesternBalkansSix Young Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2026! ♻️✨ Through Green lining, Aleksandra transforms recycled materials into artistic and functional products using sustainable design and 3D printing. By bringing together circular economy principles, creativity and innovation, her work reflects the ambition of a new generation of women entrepreneurs. 🌱🚀 Stay tuned to meet the rest of the Western Balkans Six Women Entrepreneurs of the Year 2026. #poweredbyRCC 🇪🇺

RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanovic welcomed Ambassador of France to Bosnia and Herzegovina François Delmas to the RCC HQ in #Sarajevo for a farewell meeting. As Ambassador Delmas prepares to conclude his mandate, SG Kapetanović thanked him for his strong support to the RCC’s work and his commitment to advancing regional cooperation, wishing him every success in his future role. We look forward to building on this strong partnership and continuing our close cooperation with the Government of France in the years ahead. #poweredbyRCC 🇪🇺

We are looking for the 2025 Champion of Regional Cooperation! NOMINATE NOW! Because someone will win Champion of Regional Cooperation Dr Erhard Busek Award ⏭️ and a 10k EUR financial reward attached to it. Who can you nominate? ✅ individuals or organisations from #SouthEastEurope 🌐 that work across the region or have a regional impact 🤝 create a lasting benefit for the region All info & nomination form 👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/dufGMAWc Champion of Regional Cooperation Dr Erhard Busek Award is #poweredbyRCC & sponsored by Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (MFA Austria). #poweredbyRCC 🇪🇺

Meet Jori Vila, the #WesternBalkansSix Social Star Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2026! 🤳🌟 With more than 18 years of experience, Jori helps entrepreneurs, companies and brands build stronger identities, communicate clearly and grow their digital visibility through her company Oz Marketing Albania. 🚀 Stay tuned to meet the rest of the Western Balkans Six Women Entrepreneurs of the Year 2026. #poweredbyRCC 🇪🇺

Full agenda during the #32ndSFF = a very full camera roll 📸 so, naturally, we had to share some more of those moments From welcoming our guest for a gathering and organising Youth Cultural Cooperation Conference, to screenings, interviews and the award ceremony 👉🏻 #RegionalCooperation found its way into the spotlight, on and off screen. 🎬✨ #poweredbyRCC 🇪🇺