Tirana Connectivity Forum 2024 (TCF24), held on September 10-11, 2024, celebrated its 10th anniversary, reflecting on the Southeast Europe Six countries’ journey towards EU integration. The forum focused on three main themes: connectivity and resilience, regional cooperation, and innovative scenarios in speeding up SEE6 accession to EU. It gathered a diverse group of stakeholders, including EU and Western Balkans politicians, policymakers, financiers, and civil society actors, to reflect on a decade of progress under the Berlin Process and to chart the course for future cooperation and development in the region in its path to the EU.
A central focus of TCF24 was the “accession before membership” proposal, aimed at delivering immediate EU benefits to the SEE6 citizens before the countries’ membership into the EU. This approach would normalize enlargement, reflect the de facto integration of SEE6 into the EU economic system, align the region with EU policies, and offer tangible benefits. The ongoing Growth Plan for SEE6 and discussions on the new EU Cohesion Policy present an opportunity to enhance the EU-SEE6 relationship.
In his opening address, Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, emphasized the importance of faster convergence with EU standards and policies, positioning regional cooperation as an essential tool. “The need to diminish the development gap between the EU and the Western Balkans was partly transformed into the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which is about to take off” – said Mr. Hasani. “It is high time to build upon this development. The ongoing discussion of EU Cohesion Policy and of the new EU multiannual financial framework post-2027 can be the tools in which these proposals will play their role in bringing step by step the Western Balkans closer and into the European Union.”
Focusing on EU Enlargement, Deputy State Secretary of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council, Márton Ugrósdy stressed that the enlargement must be merit-based: whoever fulfils the conditions should be allowed access without any further delay. “We must keep our eye on the ball and not let Albania and the Southeast European countries fall behind on EU accession. – he stated. – We must ensure that alternative cooperation formats do not become alternatives to EU membership.”
Mr. Manuel Sarrazin, German Special Envoy for Western Balkans, underlined the need for free trade amongst the SEE6 countries outlying the benefits of cooperation and inconveniences of blockage (in the form of a 6-1 formula).
Ms. Valentina Superti, Director for Western Balkans at Directorate General NEAR, brought in the importance of Enlargement for the new Commission and the appointment of a Commissioner for Enlargement.
The first day zoomed into the connectivity experience in SEE6 and on the need to increase and improve the involvement of private actors. G7 representatives, EIB Global officers, Albanian Investment Council as well as the representative of German Association of SEE6-based companies shared and discussed on how to increase the number, quality of engagement and impact of EU companies in the region. In the afternoon panel, high political representatives from the region and from EU member states, placed the role of connectivity in the larger framework of the war in Ukraine.
Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, in a video address for TCF24, highlighted that EU Enlargement should not be seen just as a policy, but rather than a commitment to peace, stability, and shared prosperity in Europe. “It is crucial for bridging gaps between regions, – he stated– fostering greater connectivity and cooperation.” In its report titled “Much More than a Market,” advocating for significant reforms to empower the EU Single Market, Mr. Letta proposes key changes to enhance digital integration and trade fairness, emphasizing the Single Market’s potential to drive sustainable future and prosperity for all EU citizens.
With the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, the region is aspiring to gradual access to the EU’s single market. “Single Market is great if you are a winner participant, not a loser participant.” pointed out Mr. Jorge Núñez Ferrer, Director for Cohesion & EU Budget, at CPMR. He added that the Countries of the region should prepare the vision to joining EU and the position they want in the EU, in addition to preparing for implementing future policies, and think less of the budget benefits.
Conditionality should closely combine with solidarity according to Mr. Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee. “Cohesion is the EU’s most important long-term investment policy and has helped the Single Market to function more effectively, by stimulating long-term growth and competitiveness. I am convinced that gradual integration begins at the root and the EESC believes organized civil society to be our roots.”
Mr. Thilo Schroeter, Chargé d’Affaires at the German Embassy, brought in the German-Slovenian initiative in reviewing the EU decision-making towards qualified majority for the opening of clusters.
The forum also placed a strong emphasis on the economic dimension of regional integration. The Central European Free Trade Agreement underlined its focus on creating a business-friendly environment, with harmonized policies that support the Common Regional Market while stressing the importance of civil society in ensuring broad public understanding of its benefits.
Looking forward, the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) unveiled the next phase of the Common Regional Market. Elda Kalaja, Head of the RCC Secretary General’s Office, announced that the new phase will concentrate on enhancing human capital and improving the business enabling environment. “These steps, – she noted, – are vital for gradually integrating SEE6 into the EU Single Market through ‘phasing in’ policies, a vital step toward a competitive and resilient regional economy.”
Blerina Raca of GIZ Albania added that aligning Albania with the EU’s Acquis is essential to fully implement Mobility Agreements. “Enforcement of the implementation of regional cooperation commitments at national level remains a key responsibility within the EU Integration process” – stated Ms. Raca.
Maja Handjiska-Trendafilova, Director of the Regional School of Public Administration, emphasized the critical role of human capital in the public sector in delivering EU-aligned policies: “The way how we approach human capital issues in the public sector will determine whether public administration becomes a key vector for delivering EU-aligned policies and funds or a bottleneck for optimal implementation.”
Held under the auspices of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, and part of the official calendar of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council, TCF24 was organized with the support of German Federal Foreign Office, Hanns Seidel Foundation, Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs via SMART Balkans, Regional Cooperation Council, Regional School of Public Administration and GIZ Albania.
To access photos from each day, please check here for Day 1 and here for Day 2.