Sofia Declaration backs regional integration, endorses SEE2030 strategy and RCC annual report
SOFIA, June 10 (BV) – Leaders of Southeast European countries reaffirmed their commitment to regional cooperation, European integration and economic connectivity on Tuesday as they adopted the Sofia Declaration at the Summit of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), marking three decades of regional ownership and partnership.
Meeting under Bulgaria’s chairmanship, heads of state and government endorsed the Annual Report of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and approved the mid-term update of the SEE2030 Strategy, highlighting the importance of coordinated action to address common challenges facing the region.
The summit brought together leaders from the Western Balkans and Southeast Europe at a time when the European Union has renewed its focus on enlargement amid geopolitical tensions, the war in Ukraine and growing competition from external actors in the region.
“The region has functioning cooperation mechanisms, concrete deliverables and public support, but the pace of global change requires a stronger strategic response,” RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanović told the gathering.
Kapetanović warned that Southeast Europe faces a “triangle of pressure” stemming from demographic decline, weak productivity growth and resilience challenges, arguing that regional cooperation must move beyond political declarations toward tangible implementation.
“Regional cooperation is not a slogan. It is a necessity,” he said.
The Sofia Declaration reaffirmed the European perspective of countries aspiring to join the European Union and stressed the importance of good-neighbourly relations, regional stability and inclusive cooperation.
Leaders also highlighted the role of the Common Regional Market initiative as a vehicle for deeper economic integration and gradual integration into the EU Single Market.
The endorsement comes amid renewed momentum in the Western Balkans’ EU accession process. Albania and Montenegro remain the frontrunners among candidate countries, while North Macedonia continues to face obstacles linked to constitutional amendments and bilateral disputes. Bosnia and Herzegovina is under pressure from Brussels to accelerate reforms, while Kosovo and Serbia remain tied to progress in the EU-facilitated normalization dialogue.
The declaration recognized the RCC as the operational arm of the SEECP and encouraged closer coordination between the two organizations in advancing regional priorities and supporting the European aspirations of participating countries.
The summit also marked the formal transfer of the SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office from Bulgaria to Romania, which will lead the regional initiative over the next year.
Founded in 1996, the SEECP remains the highest-level political forum for cooperation in Southeast Europe, bringing together Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey.
Analysts say the summit reflects a growing recognition that regional cooperation is becoming increasingly important as the Western Balkans seek to accelerate their path toward EU membership while addressing common challenges such as depopulation, energy security, digital transformation and economic competitiveness.