Conference on overcoming economic crisis in Western Balkans

SARAJEVO, Feb. 23 – A two-day regional conference “Western Balkans in 2020 – Overcoming the Economic Crisis and Developing Competitive Economies” will open in Sarajevo organized by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat. The conference will also mark the 2nd anniversary of the organization.
This international conference will review the impact on the Western Balkan countries of the global economic crisis, assess the different policy actions taken, and examine the ways to strengthen the long-term competitiveness of the region’s economies. A key issue for South East Europe is the ability to make and implement the appropriate policy choices and benefit effectively of the support available so that it can emerge from the crisis and, in the long run, achieve steady economic development.
The expected results of the conference should influence the policy debate in individual countries, on a regional level and with international organizations, as well as provide specific topics for the work programme of the RCC and other regional organizations and initiatives.
The meeting will bring together senior policy officials and key experts from the Western Balkans academia, the European Commission and international financial institutions, as well as representatives of the relevant think tanks from the EU member countries.
As the successor of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, the RCC fosters regional cooperation and supports European and Euro-Atlantic integration in South East Europe. Its work focuses on economic and social development, infrastructure and energy, justice and home affairs, security cooperation, building human capital, and parliamentary cooperation. The RCC is based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.