The Western Balkans joins Digital Europe / Program of almost 7.5 billion Euros

2023-06-30 17:13:00, Aktualitet CNA

From today, Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro become part of Digital Europe, with a program of almost 7.5 billion Euros.

The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Majlinda Bregu said that this is an important moment for the digital agenda in our region, and to join EU policies and programs.

"Today's signing of the inclusion of the Western Balkans in the Digital Europe Program for almost all countries of our region is an important step to strengthen critical digital capacities in the EU and BP. The digital agenda is an example that cooperation between BP and BP-EU in areas of interest to citizens is possible. What once seemed almost utopian is now a reality from 2021 - with regional roaming charges eliminated. We continue to keep our promises on the roaming agenda. During the first Regulatory Dialogue, I highlighted the next challenge for reducing roaming charges between the EU and BP. As of October 1, we expect an average regional reduction of 30% in the cost of data while roaming," Bregu stated.

The Western Balkans joins Digital Europe / Program of almost 7.5 billion Euros

The meeting brought together ministers from the Western Balkans responsible for Communication and the Digital Agenda, senior officials of the European Commission, as well as representatives of the regulatory bodies and agencies of the telecommunications of the Western Balkans. In addition to Mrs. Bregu, the opening speech was delivered by Roberto Viola, Director General at DG CONNECT of the EU; Gert Jan Koopman, Director General at DG NEAR of the EU; and Natalia Aristimuño Pérez, Director at EU DG DIGIT.

"We are meeting a day after the successful high-level conference on cyber security – calling for a more systematic integration of our region into the EU's overall cyber efforts. These intensive days on cyber security and regulatory dialogue between our region and the EU on digital transformation agendas will hopefully soon become our regular ritual. Today's dialogue can and should project some of the roads, policies, frameworks, concrete digital programs - in which the region can be integrated with concrete benefits before membership. KBR is ready to be the platform to shape this bold and progressive vision of integration, bringing our region closer to the EU.

The Western Balkans joins Digital Europe / Program of almost 7.5 billion Euros

On average, 72.5% of BP households have access to fixed broadband networks that offered speeds higher than 30 Mbps, compared to 90% in the EU. Furthermore, only 35% of BP citizens possess at least basic digital skills while in the EU the average is almost 54%. Only 3% of enterprises in the BP region used at least one artificial intelligence technology, while in the EU this is almost three times more, and the use of digital technologies by SMEs in BP remains significantly below the EU average. The future Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which should include gradual integration into the single digital market and increased financial assistance, could be the main driver towards dialogue and cooperation with the EU./ CNA.al