European Union (EU) and Western Balkans telecommunication operators signed a Roaming Declaration at the EU-Western Balkans Summit held on Tuesday in Tirana. According to the Declaration, Western Balkans – EU roaming charges will be reduced voluntarily from 1 October 2023, with subsequent reductions gradually leading to their complete elimination. The commitment was also reinforced as part of the Tirana Declaration, which was agreed upon at the Summit.
The initiative is another crucial step in bringing the Western Balkans closer to the EU. It aims to enhance connectivity, mobility, and affordability of telecommunication services for individuals and businesses, contributing to more opportunities for travel, collaboration, and exchange between the Western Balkans and the EU.
The Declaration follows the successful implementation of the groundbreaking Regional Roaming Agreement, signed at the Second Western Balkans Digital Summit in April 2019, held in Belgrade. This Agreement reflected the commitment to creating a positive impact on regional cooperation through simplified connectivity and furthering the digital transformation across the region. Since 1 July 2021, all roaming charges have been removed across the Western Balkans, replicating the “Roam like at Home” concept within the EU. Both initiatives result from the efforts of multiple stakeholders, including telecommunications operators and authorities, with the support of the European Commission.
By Ivan Eftimov, Gecic Law
