The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) hosted the 19th Coordination Meeting of Regional Organisations at its Secretariat in Sarajevo on Thursday, bringing together secretaries general and senior officials from RCC, the Central European Initiative (CEI), the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII), and the Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). The meeting focused on how smarter, more resilient, and sustainable regional connectivity can promote inclusive economic development across South East Europe.
The meeting opened with remarks from RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanović, alongside Giovanni Castellaneta of AII, Lazăr Comănescu of BSEC, and Franco Dal Mas of CEI. Participants also included representatives from the Sofia Chairmanship of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), the World Bank, and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Chairmanship of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR). Discussions centred on the theme: “Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Connectivity among the Regions: Enhancing Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development through Regional Cooperation.”
“Together we are stronger. Most of our economies, particularly in the Western Balkans, are too small to generate sustained growth alone. But as a wider South East Europe, we represent a $2 trillion economic space with the scale and diversity to deliver more resilient and inclusive development,” Kapetanović said. “Today’s meeting reaffirmed a simple truth: our challenges and opportunities are shared. Stronger coordination among our regional organisations is essential. By aligning priorities and building synergies, we can safeguard connectivity, strengthen resilience, and deliver tangible benefits to citizens.”
Participants exchanged views on strategic priorities, transformation agendas, and avenues for future cooperation, including potential jointly developed initiatives. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of commitment to deepen collaboration, strengthen resilience, and advance a more connected, competitive, and sustainable South East Europe.
The next Coordination Meeting of Regional Organisations will be hosted by BSEC.