“Roaming like at home”, the initiative of the Regional Cooperation Council starting from 1 July  2021, will now occur without paying a roaming fee for the 6 countries of the Western Balkans. It provides a range of benefits for mobile users in cross-border calls, messaging and data transmission, business, tourism, strengthening intra-regional connectivity and establishing a common regional market.

In an interview with journalist Lutfi Dervishi the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Majlinda Bregu  said:

“On July 1, we start with zero tariffs throughout the Western Balkans region and there are no surprises here anymore. Today we had the last meeting with the regulatory authorities in the region to discuss and find out if there could be any concerns about the full synchronous entry into force of the region’s six economies on July 1st of zero tariffs. We have not heard of any major problems from mobile phone operators.”

According to Mrs. Bregu, the zero roaming initiative is a success story and will not cause losses for mobile companies.

“This is a success story which on July 1 should make everyone feel good. Telephone operators must in fact be said to have been cooperative in this process despite dilemmas and start-up efforts. ” – said Bregu.

The agreement and the innovations it brings in the economic and social field facilitate the further path of the countries of the Western Balkans towards membership in the European Union. As there are several advantages that the agreement brings, the essential task of the countries of the Western Balkans is to show consistency in its application in the coming period. Non-payment of roaming will certainly facilitate the endeavour to achieve the four freedoms of movement of people, goods, services, and capital, following the example of the Union.

/Klara Ruci/