From Antalya, a call for a more connected Balkans: peace requires daily cooperation

2026-04-18 20:05:00, Aktualitet CNA

From Antalya, a call for a more connected Balkans: peace requires daily

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026, political leaders, diplomats and experts gathered to discuss the challenges and opportunities of a region that continues to seek lasting stability. In this context, the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Amer Kapetanovic, conveyed a simple but significant message: peace in the Balkans is built every day, through concrete cooperation and continuous dialogue.

Moderating the panel “Harvest of Peace in the Balkans: Dialogue, Business and Connection”, he emphasized that stability is not a given, but a process that requires joint commitment. According to him, infrastructural connections, trade exchanges and institutional cooperation are the most direct way to make this stability tangible for citizens.

The panel was attended by foreign ministers from countries in the region, including Ferit Hoxha for Albania, who shared their views on the importance of regional dialogue and cooperation at a time of new geopolitical challenges.

Discussions focused on concrete areas such as transport, energy, trade and digital connectivity, which are considered pillars for sustainable development and greater well-being for the citizens of the region. In this regard, the role of initiatives such as the Regional Common Market and the South-East Europe Strategy 2030, which aim to strengthen cooperation and create new economic opportunities, was highlighted.

During the forum, Kapetanovic also held bilateral meetings with senior representatives, including Albanian Minister Ferit Hoxha and counterparts from the region, where the focus of the talks was the need to maintain dialogue and advance joint initiatives.

This year's forum, with the theme "Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties", served as a space for reflection and cooperation for a region that continues to face challenges, but also real opportunities for development and deeper integration.

The message that emerged from Antalya was clear: beyond the challenges, the future of the Balkans remains linked to the ability to cooperate, build trust, and create shared opportunities for citizens. /CNA