The EU-Western Balkans Roaming Declaration, signed at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tirana on December 6, 2022, has officially entered into force, thus marking the date of a major change.

After almost a year of intense joint work by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the European Commission, as well as with the political support of the EU and Western Balkans(WB), the telecommunications operators of the Western Balkans and the European Union have not only met the requirements of the statement, but in many cases have exceeded expectations.

Starting from this October, the price limit for 1 GB of data roaming within special offers and packages, in accordance with the Roaming Declaration, should not exceed 18 euros, thus making travel and communication between the EU- and WB significantly more economical.

In many cases, the price limit of 18 euros within special offers and packages goes much lower, up to 1.6 euros per 1 GB, while three operators of the Western Balkans, in addition to the prices of reduced and regular packages, will operate and with “pay as you go” pricing (which means you don’t have to buy any extra packages while you travel, especially for short trips).

“I had promised in my speeches a year ago that roaming prices between the EU and the Western Balkans would fall with the autumn leaves.  This landmark development is already reshaping the mobile data landscape for citizens and travelers. The success of the EU-Western Balkans Roaming Declaration is proof of the power of regional cooperation, to transform it, to make communication between countries easier and better, facing many complex challenges.

This historic moment comes amid political tensions, economic struggles and the growing spectrum of climate change in the region, facts that reinforce even more the importance of regional and Euro-Atlantic cooperation. As we celebrate this achievement, we must recognize and appreciate the dedication of all parties involved, especially the telecommunications operators. We look forward to a future where we can be more connected, more accessible to the digital world and we can do this at affordable prices for everyone,” said the General Secretary of the RCC, Majlinda Bregu.

/k.s/