Annual Report on Implementation of the Multi-Annual Action ......Investment, Mobility and Digital Integration components of the MAP REA. Coordination, reporting and monitoring in each

Annual Report onImplementation of theMulti-Annual Action Planfor a Regional Economic Areain Western Balkan Six

Good.Better.Regional.

Title: Annual Report on Implementation of the Multi-Annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area

in Western Balkan Six

Publisher: Regional Cooperation Council

Trg Bosne i Hercegovine 1/V, 71000 Sarajevo

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Tel. +387 33 561 700, Fax. +387 33 561 701

E-mail: [email protected]

website: www.rcc.int

Authors: Regional Cooperation Council, CEFTA

Editor: Pranvera Kastrati

Consulting editors: Gazmend Turdiu, Maja Handjiska Trendafilova, Emir Djikic

Design: Sejla Dizdarevic

© RCC2018 All rights reserved.

Annual Report on Implementation of the Multi-Annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area in Western Balkan Six

5

Annual Report on Implementation of the Multi-

Annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area in

Western Balkan Six

June 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................................... 6

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 7

OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................10

1.1 INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE OF THE REPORT .............................................................10

1.2 COORDINATION, MONITORING AND REPORTING ..............................................................10

1.3 TRADE ................................................................................................................12

Overall state of play/progress ...............................................................................12

Policy 1.1. Facilitation of trade in goods ..................................................................13

Policy 1.2. Harmonisation of CEFTA Markets with the EU .............................................14

Policy 1.3. Creating NTMs and TDMfree Region .........................................................14

Policy 1.4 Facilitation of free trade in services .........................................................14

1.4 INVESTMENT ........................................................................................................15


State of implementation at objective level ..............................................................18

Obstacles and challenges .....................................................................................21

Recommendations and next steps ..........................................................................22

1.5 MOBILITY ............................................................................................................23





1.6 DIGITAL INTEGRATION .............................................................................................33





Conclusions and recommendations ........................................................................42

ANNEXES ..........................................................................................................................45

ANNEX 3 – REGIONAL REPORTING TABLE ...........................................................................45

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7


BEREC Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications

CCP Component Contact Points

CEPT European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations

CSIRT Computer Security Incident Response Team

DSO Digital Switch Over

EA Economies Authorities

EC European Commission

ECO EuropeanCommunicationsOffice

ENISA European Union Agency for Network and Information Security

GÉANT pan-European data network for the research and education community

MAP REA Multi-annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area

MFN Most Favoured Nation

NC MAP Coordinator at economy level

RCC Regional Cooperation Council

REA Regional Economic Area

RLAH Roam Like at Home

RRA Regional Roaming Agreement

RSPG Radio Spectrum Policy Group

SEDDIF South European Digital Dividend Implementation Forum

SEED Systematic Electronic Exchange of Data

WB6 Western Balkans Six

WRC World Radio Conference

ABBREVIATIONSThe Multi-annual Action Plan (MAP) for a Regional Economic Area (REA) in the Western Balkans Six (WB6), endorsed at the Trieste Summit of 12 July 2017, puts forward a strategic joint agenda for the Western Balkan economies to further regional economic cooperation with a view to unleash the potentials for growth, create conditions for better, transparent and predictable investment climate and improve the overall economic competitiveness of the WB6 economies. The actions introduced in the MAP REA are expected to be implemented until 2020, with some extensions until 2023, focusing on four key components: Trade, Investment, Mobility and Digital Integration.

A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans, launched on 6 February 2018, demonstrates the embedding of MAP REA within the core EU accession process. The strategy and itsflagships on socio-economicdevelopment anddigital agenda are directly related to MAP REA. Moreover, actions put forward in the Action Plan under “Supporting socio-economic development” and “A Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans” defineclearactionstobeimplementedby2019-with some by 2020 – which are fully aligned with the MAP REA objective and actions.

The Declaration made at the Western Balkans Summit in Sofia on 17May 2018 calls for urgentaction to implement the Multi-annual Action Plan for the Development of a Regional Economic Area and announces the continued EU support in the efforts invested by Western Balkans. Moreover,the Statement of support for the digital agenda for the Western Balkans endorsed at the occasion of the EU-WB6 Summit highlights the importance of a market- and investment-friendly environment in the Western Balkans to move faster towards a digital economy, and as part of Sofia Priority Agendaannounces the launch of a Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans, including a roadmap to facilitate lowering the cost of roaming; and to launch a substantial technical assistance package for the identification of potential digital investments(including broadband) through Western Balkans Investment Framework/Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance.

The MAP REA actions are aligned with strategic documents in particular with the Economic Reform

Programmes, as the key mid-term economic policy coordination documents. The cross-reference analysis between MAP REA and the ERPs 2018-2020revealsagoodfitbetweenthetwostrategicframeworks and high prioritisation of MAP REA measures within the ERPs.

The overall coordination for the MAP REA implementation in each WB6 economy is the responsibility of the MAP Coordinator (MAP NC). Moreover, each economy has designated the MAP Component Contact Points (CCPs) for each of the four MAP REA components to steer the work of various working mechanisms within Trade, Investment, Mobility and Digital Integration components of the MAP REA. Coordination, reporting and monitoring in each participating economy is ensured through the MAP NCs while at regional level the coordination role for the Trade component is performed by CEFTA Secretariat and for the Investment, Mobility and Digital Integration components coordination is performed by the RCC Secretariat. Regular reporting to the MAP NCs meeting and PM Sherpas’ meeting, European Commission and other international organisations is in place. In addition, business-to-government (B2G) discussions were held back-to-back with the MAP NCs meetings, organised in cooperation with WB CIF, to ensure greater synergies amongst differentactors.

The MAP REA Stock Taking and Needs Assessment report has been finalised. The process ofneeds assessment was carried out through self-identification of needs, complemented furtherby desk research and validated through the consultations held in all WB6 capitals. The gaps identified through the process are translatedinto practical lists of needs across the four areas, categorised as technical assistance/capacity building, analytical support, prospective multi-annual regional project interventions and capital investment support. RCC has supported the regional donor coordination in areas of relevance for MAP REA -the Fourth Meeting on Donor Coordination was held in Brussels on 13 March 2018, having great focus on MAP REA implementation and regional MAP REA-related needs.

The Guidelines on Governance, Coordination and Reporting for the MAP REA and the methodology on MAP REA monitoring and reporting have been

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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endorsed by the MAP NCs. This report is prepared in compliance with the methodology on MAP REA monitoring and reporting, offering a snapshotof MAP REA implementation. Other horizontal activities to increase visibility and information sharing on MAP REA have been also undertaken.

In the investment policy area, progress is recorded in particular in establishing a harmonised level playing field for investment. The MAP REAmeasures are focused on the removal of barriers to investments, in the areas of investment entry and establishment, investment protection and retention, and investment attraction and promotion, which will enable the WB6 economies to reap the benefits of economies of scale, andenablegeographicallydiversifiedbusinesses,moreefficientallocationofresourceswithinaregionalmarket, ultimately providing significant newopportunities for the private sector. To this end, the Regional Investment Reform Agenda (RIRA) has been adopted and the next step ahead will be to translate it into national action plans. The South East Europe Investment Committee (SEEIC) will continue to be the main platform for supporting RIRA, although economies still need to establish focus groups at the level of individual economies to discuss and steer proposed policy reforms.

Furthermore, Western Balkan economies will work on the joint promotion of the region as a unique investment destination. In this endeavour, the region will identify the sectors of economy with common grounds for joint promotion, namely the sectors where the participating economies will identify added value opportunities for development ofregionalvaluechains.Identificationofprioritysectors for investment promotion will be aligned with the MAP REA pillar on smart specialisation.

Lastly, there is a strong need for closer coordination at domestic level amongst relevant stakeholders for successful implementation of MAP REA, namely amongst the MAP National Coordinators, MAP Component Contact Points and line ministries and relevant institutions. To secure quality and sustainability of the regional dialogue, regional platforms for implementation of MAP REA must include adequate representation with pertinent decision-making mandate from the relevant institutions.

In an increasingly global economy, the extent to which international high-skilled mobility channels are formed within the region and between the region and the EU is a question of great importance. Better integration of high-skilled

professionals and academics into professional and research networks, the European Research Area and the European Higher Education Area will yield significant benefits for the migratory region ofWestern Balkans.

AlloftheWB6economieshavesteppedupeffortsand demonstrated good progress in removing obstacles to mobility of researchers. All WB6 economies have prioritised mobility of researchers in their respective strategic frameworks. In response to the identified obstacles to mobilityof researchers, which include financial barriers,majority of the economies have created grant schemes to support mobility of researchers at the level of individual economies. All WB6 participate in Horizon2020 with varied success rates, as well as the Marie Curie Sklodowska Actions where success rates of the WB6 researchers are particularly low. With regards to actions aimed at supporting research infrastructure and the development of centres of excellence in the region progress has been slower and variation between economies more prominent.

Despite initial delays, technical preparations for opening of the negotiations on the Mutual Recognition Agreement of Professional Qualifications for Doctors of Medicine, Dentistsand Architects have been completed and the joint Working Group on Recognition of Professional Qualifications has agreed at its meeting on 7thof May 2018 to recommend the opening of the negotiations. Provided that all governments finalise their internal procedures and inform theRCCSecretaryGeneralthereof,thefirstmeetingof the negotiating teams could take place during July 2018.

The planned actions on removing obstacles to recognitionofacademicqualificationsareaheadofscheduled timeline; therefore, advanced progress in the region can be noted. During December 2017, the participants agreed to launch a joint exerciseonrecognitionofacademicqualificationsto identify and analyse similarities/differencesin recognition of foreign degrees and to suggest furtherjointactiontoreducethedifferencesbasedon which Joint Guides on Recognition of Academic Qualifications will be prepared. The deepenedregional cooperation on recognition of academic qualifications was reinforced by additionaldomestic efforts to shorten, simplify and create“student-friendly” procedures for recognition of academic qualifications. The new legislativeframeworks adopted across WB6 in the last year

open multiple opportunities for MAP measures to contributesignificantlytothemodernisationofthehigher education systems in the region.

Digital integration is characterised by a mixed level of preparedness amongst WB6 with Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia being at moderate level of preparedness regarding chapter 10 of the EU acquis, and Kosovo*1 and Bosnia and Herzegovina following behind. Digital transformation of WB6 holds great potential for enhancing growth in the region. The results of a regional analysis on the impact of digital transformation in WB6 shows that 10% increase in the digitisation index is associated with 0.63% GDP growth.

The WB6 are progressing in the transposition of the EU acquis in the area of electronic communications and information society although progress again varies amongst WB6 economies. Broadband mapping has well advanced during 2018, even though the measure is planned to be finalised in 2020. Inspectrum policy harmonisation, WB6 economies are at an uneven level of preparation, with regulatory and institutional frameworks that provide for efficient overall spectrum management in placeand uneven development in freeing up frequencies. Good progress is being made in harmonising regional roaming policies. Moreover, WB6 have committed to support and facilitate the processes of lowering the roaming costs for the full coverage of consumers in the Western Balkans region. The Western Balkan Digital agenda launched during the Digital Assembly on 25 June 2016 will support the digital transformation of the WB6 and prepare the region to integrate better into the EU Digital Market. Moreover, theDeclarationof theSofiaSummit,of17 May 2018, announced €30 million in technical assistance for digital projects, including broadband, within WBIF. A joint ICT Regulatory Dialogue between WB6 with the European Commission was launched in June 2018 and is foreseen to take place annually.

WB6areundertakingeffortstoimprovecybersecurity- in general, they have adopted relevant policies and legislation for privacy, data protection and digital security and prepared some strategies in the area of cybersecurity. They are at an initial stage of alignment with Network and Information Security (NIS)DirectiveandfurthereffortstoparticipateinENISA work and activity is needed. On this note, RCC has recently initiated communication with ENISA

1 * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence

to explore the prospects of participation of WB economies in the work and activities of the agency. All WB6 economies have established CSIRTs but they are underdeveloped and need longer-term capacity building programmes. RCC networked the CSIRTs from the WB6 and provided initial capacity building to their representatives. A regional Conference of CSIRTs is planned to be held in October 2018.

TheWB6 Digital Summit organised on 18-19 April2018, in Skopje - the first ever in this format –reconfirmedthecommitmentofWB6toworkonaregionaldigitalagendaforthebenefitofitscitizensand the region as a whole. The conclusions of the DigitalSummitreaffirmedthecommitmentofWB6to work on: digital skills, trust and security, digital connectivity and digital economy and society. All WB6 economies have established forms of central portals for open data and regular updates of data are carried out. However, no regional dialogue exists as of yet on regional exchange of data. In addition, WB6 economies have adopted e-authentication frameworks and made progress in improving their e-authentication schemes. E-signature legislation is adopted and e-government services are gradually being aligned with the National Interoperability Frameworks. Moreover, there is a commitment to establish a regional framework for recognition of certificatesofelectronic signatureand facilitationof cross-border trusted services. There are several digital hubs and innovation parks across the WB6. Most have been developed with donor funding (including EU, the World Bank, GIZ, USAID and other bilateral donors), private sector funding, or both.

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OVERVIEW1.1 INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE OF THE REPORTMAP REA aims to promote further trade integration, introduce a dynamic regional investment space, facilitate regional mobility and create a digital integration agenda for WB6 economies. Actions introduced in MAP REA offer synergies with thereform agendas currently undertaken in all WB6 driven by the EU integration process, based on EU rules and principles and following the commitments deriving from the SEE 2020, CEFTA and Stabilisation and Association Agreements. Most of the actions are expected to be implemented until 2020, with some extending into 2023.

The Enlargement Strategy embeds MAP REA within the core EU accession process, having some of its flagships directly related to MAP REA. Moreover,during the Sofia Summit, the EU launched Sofia Priority Agenda for the EU and the Western Balkans, annexed to the Declaration, which emphasises actions in socio-economic development, business environment and digital agenda – most of which are already embarked on as part of MAP REA-related reform processes.

This report is organised in two parts. First part provides an overview of horizontal aspects related to the MAP coordination, monitoring and reporting and the second offers a detailed presentation ofthe implementation of MAP REA across the four components, both at objective and regional level, as well as conclusions and recommendations on key next steps. It aims to take stock of the developments within the four components of MAP REA, describe the state of play and capture the progress made in WB6 as a region. The report is prepared by RCC in cooperation with CEFTA Secretariat in accordance with the endorsed Methodology on MAP REA monitoring and reporting.

The reporting is based on the inputs and contributions providedbytheWB6followingpredefinedreportingtemplates put forward within the Methodology. The report on MAP REA implementation will enable the WB6 leaders to review the progress, or the lack thereof, in each component. The insights from the monitoring will also help inform further formulation and fine-tuning of the actions, including possible

adjustments to the timelines, making them more realistic and achievable. This report is largely based on qualitative inputs received from the economies. The report also uses data from Balkan Barometer - a survey of public and business perceptions - where appropriate and of added value. The focus of next reports will be to improve user-friendliness, visualisation of progress and impact based on key outputindicators–tobedefinedinclosecooperationand consultation with MAP structures.

1.2 COORDINATION, MONITORING AND REPORTINGThe overall coordination for the MAP REA imple-mentation in each WB6 economy is the responsibil-ity of the MAP Coordinator (MAP NC). In addition, each economy has designated the MAP Component Contact Points (CCPs) for each of the four MAP REA components to steer the work of various working mechanisms within Trade, Investment, Mobility and Digital Integration components of the MAP REA. Coordination, reporting and monitoring in each participating economy is ensured at two principal levels - the first between the representatives inthe regional mechanisms and the MAP CCPs, and the second amongst the Component Contact Points and the MAP Coordinator. At the regional level, the coordination role for the Trade component is performed by CEFTA Secretariat, while the Invest-ment, Mobility and Digital Integration components are coordinated by the RCC Secretariat.

Beyond the coordination role, the RCC and CEFTA Secretariats also provide assistance in policy for-mulation, support to internal coordination process-es and cross-sectoral consultations, and support in implementation of actions resulting in regional deliverables.

The coordination mechanisms for MAP REA are es-tablished in each WB6 economy, with the appoint-ments of National Coordinators and Component ContactPointsfinalised.Inadditiontotheinternalmechanism, designated persons for each compo-nent from CEFTA and RCC Secretariats and DG NEAR of the European Commission are appointed to facil-

itate the coordination of work. Regular meetings of the MAP NCs (i.e. Brussels, on 31 October 2017 and 30 January 2018 in Trieste) and MAP CCPs (Brussels, 12 March 2018 and Tirana, 15 May 2018) are held to review the progress on the MAP REA measures and discuss future activities and deliverables. In addition, business-to-government (B2G) discussions were held back-to-back with the MAP NCs meet-ings, organised in cooperation with WB CIF, to en-suregreatersynergiesamongstdifferentactors.

RCC has finalised the StockTaking andNeedsAs-sessment report, in cooperation with the CEFTA Secretariat, undertaking a considerable coordina-tioneffort,bothatnationalandregionallevel,tocomplete the needs assessment process, mainly through self-identification of needs. The reportidentifiesthemajorpolicygapsandneeds,includ-ing assistance through bilateral or regional pro-jects, and proposes a set of measures needed to overcomethemwithaviewofeffectiveandtimelyimplementation of the MAP REA as a whole. The findingsofthereporthavebeenvalidatedthroughthe consultations - meetings held in all WB6 capi-tals during November 2017 and January 2018 – and presented during the second meeting of MAP NCs. Moreover, the report was shared with all coordi-nation mechanisms across WB6 for comments and suggestionswhichweredulyreflectedinthefinalversion. The gaps identified through the processare translated into practical lists of needs across the four areas, categorised as technical assistance/capacity building, analytical support, prospective multi-annual regional project interventions and capital investment support.

The Guidelines on Governance, Coordination and Reporting for the MAP REA and the methodology on MAP REA monitoring and reporting have been endorsed by the MAP NCs. In accordance with the methodology on MAP REA monitoring and reporting, reports on implementation will be prepared twice a year: Annual Report - prepared mid-year to inform the WB6 Prime Ministers Summit; and Abridged Re-port - prepared at the end of each calendar year. Regular reports to the MAP NCs, the PM Sherpas2, European Commission and other international or-ganisations are prepared within the monitoring context.

RCC has supported the regional donor coordina-tion in areas of relevance for MAP REA. The Fourth Meeting on Donor Coordination was held in Brus-sels on 13 March 2018 with particular focus on MAP

2 The last reporting for Sherpa was on 11 April 2018 and 20 June 2018.

REA implementation and regional MAP REA-related needs – the later systematised by RCC for the three components (i.e. Investment, Mobility and Digital Integration) and CEFTA Secretariat for Trade. Ad-ditionally, Economy Fishes with state of play and recommendations were compiled and shared with all the participants of the Fourth Meeting on Donor Coordination.

Other horizontal activities have been undertaken to increase visibility and information sharing on MAP REA. Namely, as part of the RCC Website – MAP REA sub-page3, an online calendar for MAP REA ac-tivities4 has been prepared to allow all actors and partners to get information on the events and ac-tivities.LeafletandvideotopromotetheMAPREAand share information with larger audience on the activities and results have also been prepared5.

3http://www.rcc.int/priority_areas/39/map-rea4 http://www.rcc.int/events_calendar/635 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWBjcNJUWuw&feature=youtu.be

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1.3 TRADE6 Overall state of play/progress TheSofiaandLondonsummitshaveputsomeofthepriorities that had to be accomplished by the CEFTA Parties by July 2018. In this respect the majority of CEFTAPartieshaveratifiedtheAdditionalProtocol5 that entered into force on the 18th of April 2018. The CEFTA Joint Committee acknowledged the importance of discussions amongst CEFTA Parties about the best possible instruments to strengthen the enforcement of CEFTA rules through more ef-fective dispute settlement mechanism. The CEFTA Parties agreed to launch negotiations on a trade dispute settlement mechanism, so far referred as the Additional Protocol on CEFTA Dispute Settle-ment7. The draft text has been prepared and is due to internal procedures for the appointments of the negotiating teams. The statistical Portal has been prepared and launched and Parties are populating the data on trade in goods, services, FATS and FDI. Besides the abovementioned achievements, the CEFTA Parties concluded the nego-tiations on the CEFTA Sec-retariat’s functions, budget andstaffing8. This one is ex-pected to be enforced until the London Summit.

Besides the main outputs, several other activities have taken place in the context of the MAP, such as the desig-nation of the single date of entry into force of the CEFTA Decision on Duty Drawback (1st of July 2019), themonitoring actions for the smooth implementation of the Agreement like public procurement and com-petition assessment.

6 The input for the Trade Component of MAP is provided by the CEFTA Secretariat and is introduced in its integral form, including on referencing the region’s economies7IndifferentframeworkssuchasCEFTAAgreementandtheREA Multi-annual Action Plan8 Pending completion of the internal procedure by Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Parties, on the economy level, have started some of the reforms that would lead to the imple-mentation of the MAP priorities such as the estab-lishment of the National Trade Facilitation Commit-tees which were established in all of the Parties with the objective to enhance the public-private dialog.

The implementation of activities detailed in the MAP is within the realm of responsibility of the CEFTA Parties Authorities, with the support of the regional and international organisations active in thespecificpolicyareas.TheTradeComponentofthe MAP is coordinated by the CEFTA Secretariat for the regional perspective and by the CEFTA Contact Points. CEFTA bodies are involved in the work of all other MAP Components.

Related to the Trade Component, the progress made in the implementation of the MAP was the following as of May 2018 (see Figure below):

Figure 1: Trade – State of Preparedness of MAP Im-plementation in WB6 at the Level of Objectives9

9Scoresatthelevelofobjectivesaresimpleaveragesofactivity-level scores. Scoring is performed on a scale that assesses the stage of preparedness in MAP implementation, and includes the following scores: 1 – early stage (no actions taken), 2 – some level of preparation (preliminary steps undertaken), 3 - moderately prepared (implementation started, structures and mandates in place), 4 – good level of preparation (implementation advanced with preliminary results evidenced), and 5 – well advanced (measure fully implemented). Further information on scoring available in the Methodology on monitoring and reporting on the Multi-annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area in the Western Balkans (MAP).

REVIEW OF IMPLEMENTATION PER COMPONENT

0

01

2

3

4

5

1.1. Facilitation of trade in goods

1.2. Harmonisation of CEFTA Markets

with the EU

1.3. Creating NTMs and

TDM-free Region

1.4. Facilitation of trade

in services

3.2

4.0

2.8

2.9

Policy 1.1. Facilitation of trade in goodsObjective I.1.1. Strengthening the monitoring and enforcement capacity of CEFTADuring the reporting period the CEFTA Parties have discussed the 3 proposed options for the establish-ment of the Dispute Settlement mechanism. The progress was achieved in dismissing the option No 3 and at the moment the 2 remaining options are under consideration. The negotiations have been launched by the Special Joint Committee con-clusion adopted in Pristina on 27 April 2018 that states: “WE acknowledge the importance of discus-sions amongst CEFTA Parties about the best possi-ble instruments to strengthen the enforcement of CEFTA rules through more effective dispute set-tlement mechanism. The CEFTA Parties agree to launch negotiations on a trade dispute settlement mechanism, so far referred as the Additional Pro-tocol on CEFTA Dispute Settlement10. Negotiations will also take into account further legal analysis and opinions provided by the CEFTA Secretariat. The exploratory talks were held under the auspices of the CEFTA Committee of Contact Points by the Sofia Summit until the official negotiation teamsshall be appointed”. As the activity is completed the score is 5.

Objective I.1.2. Adoption of Additional Protocol 5 and start of its implementation

a) Regarding the adoption of validation rules for mutual recognitions, the concept notes have already been prepared. It is expected that the first draft of ImplementingProvision of Mutual Recognition of AEO will be submitted to the relevant CEFTA bodies in June 2018. For the mutual recognition of border documents, the draft decision is expected to be submitted in the 4th quarter of 2018. The score is 3, which is moderately prepared.

b) During the reporting period the Additional Protocol 5 on Trade Facilitation entered into force for Macedonia, Moldova and Montenegro. Albania and Bosnia and HerzegovinahavealsoratifiedtheAdditionalProtocol 5 during the reporting period. The restofCEFTAPartiesareexpectedtofinaliseall the required parliamentary ratification

10IndifferentframeworkssuchasCEFTAAgreementandtheREA Multi-annual Action Plan

inthefirsthalfof2018.Thescoreis5astheAP 5 entered into force for the three CEFTA Parties on 18 April 2018 and is expected to enter into force for all CEFTA Parties by the end of 2018 as planned.

c) Regarding the start of Implementation of Mutual Recognition Programmes, there will be regional piloting project to test the mutual recognition of AEO programmes according to the AP 5. The score is 2, as the piloting project will provide necessary feedback for the timely start of mutual recognition of AEO.

Objective I.1.3. Concluding Party level IT interconnections for data exchange between Agencies at the national level

a) The levels of the investments were provided to the Parties at the Rome meeting of the SEED Steering Committee in June 2017. In the further discussions it is possible that some amounts would be reduced due to the usage of TRACES. The score is 5, as this activity is completed.

b) Each CEFTA Party needs to confirm theamount which has been allocated from either their l budget or through international assistance. The CEFTA Secretariat cannot report this activity. Based on the reports of the Parties the score is 3 as most of the Parties have secured some of the funding for the hardware.

Objective I.1.4. Initiating exploratory talks on joint risk management, border controls and one-stop shop border controls

a) Once the AP 5 enters into force for all CEFTA Parties, the relevant action will start. The CEFTA Secretariat will run a questionnaire to analyse the level of preparedness of SPS Authorities for risk management. The tender for the questionnaire is awarded and the company should start with the activities during the next period. The score is 2.

b) Once the AP 5 enters into force for all CEFTA Parties, the relevant action will start. There are relevant CEFTA Structures which have been created with an appropriate mandate, the score is 2.

Objective I.1.5. Initiating exploratory talks on mutual cooperation between market surveillance control authorities of CEFTA Parties

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a) The CEFTA Secretariat is in the initial phases of the discussions related to the market surveillance authorities and is working closely with the Quality Infrastructure Project which includes Market Surveillance Authorities. The score is 2.

b) The CEFTA Parties have selected two sectors that will be assessed by GIZ. Depending on the results of the GIZ Project one sector will be selected by the CEFTA Parties. The score is 3.

c) Development of the timeframe to conclude MRA is relied on the results of actions under b). The Score is 1.

d) Assessing potential to extend MRA in other supply chains with regional interest will be dependent on the previous actions b) and c). The score is 1.

Policy 1.2. Harmonisation of CEFTA Markets with the EUObjective I.2.1. Initiating the application of SAP+ and Full Cumulation

a) The derogation of PEM Convention is obtained. There are still a number of CEFTA Parties to conclude the relevant FTAs with EFTA or Turkey in order to complete SAP + cumulation. The score is 4.

b) The CEFTA Joint Committee of April 2018 recommended the application of full cumulation to start on 1 July 2019. Thescore is 4.

Objective I.2.2. Potential approximation of CEFTA MFN to EU CETCEFTA and World Bank will prepare a study on impact assessment of the potential approximation of CEFTA MFN rates to EU CET. The results will be presented at the annual ministerial meeting scheduled for November 2018. The score is 4 and further actions will arise from the results of the Study.

Policy 1.3. Creating NTMs and TDM-free RegionObjective I.3.1. Administrative Cooperation between Competition and State Aid Monitoring Authorities

a) The CEFTA has enough legal grounds and a specificMinisterialDecisionregulatingstateaid schemes reporting. There is no concrete progress in other actions. The score is 1.

b) The CEFTA has enough legal grounds and a specificMinisterialDecisionregulatingstateaid schemes reporting. There is no concrete progress in other actions. The score is 1.

c) The EBRD commenced implementation of the regional project on competition. The competition day was organised in Belgrade in April. CEFTA will cooperate with the EBRD regarding establishment of the links between the Competition Authorities and regular cooperation to bring efficiency inthe state aid reporting processes. The score is 2.

Objective I.3.2. Eliminating any remaining discriminatory practices in public procurement markets

a) The CEFTA Secretariat has outsourced a company that will provide the assessment. At the moment the Inception Report is upon revision by the Parties. The full report was delivered in April 2018. The results were provided to the Parties for consideration withaviewtohavethefinalreportapprovedsoon. The results will be presented to the Joint Committee during the next meeting of the JC. The score is 4.

Objective I.3.3. Systemic Monitoring of NTMs in trade in goods and servicesThe CEFTA Market Access Barriers Database (MABD) is up and running, and regularly updated. Modali-ties to improve the identification of NTBs at thelocallevelaretobeexploredforfurtherefficientinputs in the MABD. Furthermore, the CEFTA Parties have been systemically employing bilateral con-sultations to eliminate the NTBs amicably. Regard-ing the elimination of structural NTBs CEFTA needs well-functioning dispute settlement. The score is 3.

Policy 1.4 Facilitation of free trade in servicesObjective I.4.1. Implementation of CEFTA Additional Protocol 6 on Trade in Services

a) The Additional Protocol 6 is pending adoption by the CEFTA Joint Committee, as the issue of denomination of CEFTA Parties

isstillnotresolved.Thefirststepstowardssecuring the future AP6 implementation have been already taken by developing concepts of establishment of contact points forservicestosecurethefulfilmentofthecommitmentstatedinArticle9para3.Thescore is 1.

b) The constraints on the adoption of AP6 are not allowing this activity to start. The Score is 1.

c) The tenders have been prepared for this activity and companies selected. The start of the implementation is expected during the month of June 2018. The score is 2.

d) The activities under this action are planned with GIZ. The first workshop was held inMarch 2018 to assess the project proposal. The proposal was submitted by GIZ to the BMZ and the positive outcome is expected. The score is 2.

e) Not started yet

f) Not started yet

g) Not started yet

h) The CEFTA Secretariat has developed the Reporting System on Trade in Services, FATS and FDI Services and an adequate dissemination platform. The CEFTA Statistical Portal is set up and features widespread data covering all aspects of trade in services statistics, FATS and FDI statisticsaswellas indicatorsdefinedandapproved by the Working Group on Trade in Statistics and Subcommittee on Trade in Services. The portal is accessible via CEFTA Secretariat website, and data can be read and downloaded in professional and user-friendly manner. The score is 4 due to the population of the data by the Parties.

Objective I.4.2. Conclusion of agreements on intra-regional regulatory cooperationIn its Ministerial Conclusions of 27 April 2018, the Parties have considered the importance of trade without regulatory barriers and took steps to-wards negotiating suitable forms of arrangements amongst regulators in charge of services. The sec-tors mutually selected by the CEFTA Parties where the potential conclusion of intra-regional coopera-tion amongst regulatory authorities can be reached included: communication, road transport, tourism and travel, construction and related engineering,

as well as computer related services sectors. The best practice instruments such as harmonisation, sector-specific legallybindingagreementandMu-tual Recognition Agreements proved to be most efficient in increasing efficiency of intraregionaltrade.

Objective I.4.3. Development of disciplines on domestic regulationThe importance of the domestic regulatory envi-ronment as a context for trade has been widely recognised in Article 10 of the Additional Protocol 6 and in the Ministerial Conclusions. The issues should be dealt within the Subcommittee on Trade in Services.

Objective I.4.4. Launching dialogue on regulatory issues in electronic commerceIn accordance with Article 28 of CEFTA and Article 18 of the Additional Protocol 6, regional dialogue on regulatory issues in e-commerce is set to be launched, coupled with the activities of the RCC under Digital Integration Agenda. First actions have been dedicated to the analysis of the existing legal framework, barriers in e-cross border trade as well as geo-blocking measures. CEFTA Subcommittee on Services will serve as an umbrella for the activities related to the Electronic Commerce with recom-mendations and next steps for the trade compo-nent.

1.4 INVESTMENTOverall state of play/progress The objective of the MAP REA investment agenda is to prioritise and implement reforms in investment-related policies in the WB6 to harmonise them with the EU standards and international best practices, and to promote the region as a sound investment destination to the global business community. This effort is complementedwith initiatives toembedsmart growth approaches into WB6 economic de-velopment strategies through introduction of smart specialisation. Finally, a more diversified privatesectoraccesstofinanceisalsoaddressedthroughMAP REA with actions aimed at further regional capital markets development to increase business activitythroughfinancialintermediatorsotherthanbanks.

Theeconomiesareatdifferentstagesofdevelop-ment on the three components of the investment agenda.Thesedifferenceshavebeentakenintoac-

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count when preparing the regional deliverables for MAP REA.

Albania is in thefinal stagesofenacting theUni-fied Investment Law, to be followed by relevantbylaws (including the Investor Grievance Mecha-nism). Along with evolving the investment policy legal framework, there is also a strong need to strengthen the capacities of institutions in charge of implementing the investment agenda. Mixed progress is seen in smart growth with a need to fo-cuseffortsonadoptionoftheStrategyonResearchand Development, further strengthen the capacity of the National Agency for Science, and formalise the governance structure for the smart specialisa-tion strategy.Albania S3 team has identified rel-evant experts for data collection, and completed the first phase of the S3 roadmap, with plannedsupport from JRC on the development of the smart specialisation strategy. Furthermore, the mapping of economic, innovative and scientific potentialis anticipated to be completed by the end of the third semester of 2018. External expertise will be needed in the process and Albania is seeking fund-ing support from donors and JRC on this.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, investment policy and legal framework is in place, but in need of im-provement, with a particular focus on International Investment Agreements and Bilateral Investment Treaties Reforms, along with the need for capacity building in investment promotion. On other parts of the investment component, although the market authorities, regulators and operators are in place and functional on entity levels, Bosnia and Herze-govina would be well advised to further consolidate itsfinancialmarketthroughclosercoordinationofstock exchanges, securities commissions and line ministries.

Kosovo’s* investment policy and legal framework, althoughlargelyinplace,wouldbenefitfromfur-ther upgrading, with a particular focus on Inter-national Investment Agreements. In terms of the financial market development, the establishmentof the stock exchange or other securities trading platform would help expand and diversify access to finance.Goodprogressisseeninsmartgrowth,inparticular with the set of initiatives on innovation policy which need to be fully implemented once adopted through a coordinated inter-ministerial approach. Support to raise awareness on smart spe-cialisation strategies would be important.

Montenegro’s investment framework is in place, but can be subject to further improvements, par-

ticularly on aspects related to modernising the net-work of bilateral investment treaties and updating their investor-state dispute settlement provisions. Given that Montenegro does not have the invest-ment promotion strategy, developing strategic plans for investments would be needed. Investment promotion in Montenegro needs further support by strengthening the currently understaffed invest-ment promotion agency.

UNCTAD has launched the e-procedures portal in Montenegro to map out all administrative proce-dures from business establishment to registering an employee, getting an electricity connection, etc. Asforthefinancialmarkets,Montenegrohasadopt-ed the new Law on Capital Markets introducing fur-ther compliance with EU acquis in this area and setting the basis for further alignment with imple-menting directives and regulatory technical stand-ards. Good progress is noted in smart growth, with a set of initiatives on innovation policy that are to be adopted in a coordinated inter-ministerial ap-proach.ThenewStrategyofScientificResearchAc-tivity (2017–2021) with the Action Plan was adopted by the Montenegrin Government in December 2017 and the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) is under preparation. Within the S3 development, Monte-negro started with the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) in May 2018 and is currently carrying out a second round of consultations with private, public, academic and civil sectors regarding S3 pri-ority sectors. The Ministry of Science implemented the Pilot Call for Innovative Projects in November 2017 and plans to publish the call for larger innova-tive grants 2018-2020 by the end of June 2018. Fur-thermore, Montenegro co-signed, along with other (wider SEE) economies a Declaration of Intent for Establishment of the Scientific Institute in SouthEast Europe, which is anticipated to stimulate the education of young scientists and engineers based on knowledge and technology transfer from Euro-pean laboratories like CERN and others, and would enable international competitive research in South East Europe.

In case of Serbia, although no input has been re-ceived as of yet, it can be noted that the legis-lation pertinent to investments is in place, along with the new Investment Promotion Strategy, with further reform to be undertaken within the RIRA context. Serbia has made considerable progress in capital markets development by having in place an advanced trading platform/stock exchange as well as functional and effective regulators,with someadditional needs for policy and technical level im-provements. In case of smart specialisation, Serbia

is placed amongst the advanced economies in the region, having S3 platform in place.

The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has adopted the new programme for investment sup-port as well as the new Law for Financial Support to Investments (Law on Investments) accompanied with the respective by-laws for its implementation. Inthefinancialmarketsarea,TheFormerYugoslavRepublic of Macedonia has the institutions (regula-tors and operators) in place, with planned upgrades through policy interventions and technical support underpinned by regional-level dialogue.

Across the region, a strong need is evident for bet-ter coordination at the level of individual econo-mies – namely amongst the MAP REA National Co-

ordinators, Component Contact Points and line ministries and relevant institutions. To ensure quality of deliberations and sustainability of the regional dialogue, regional platforms for MAP REA implementation must include adequate represen-tation with clear decision-making mandates from the relevant institutions. In addition to the regional level (via RCC-supported platforms and communi-cations channels), the work of the regional plat-forms (i.e. working groups on investments, capital markets, and others) must be channelled back into the domestic context and coordinated amongst representatives in the regional platforms with MAP REA National Coordinators. This is necessary so as to align the vertical and horizontal coordination processes of MAP REA implementation.

Figure 2: Investment - State of Preparedness of MAP REA Implementation in WB6 at the Level of Objectives

0

1

2

3

4

5

II.1.3. Implement

and monitor investment

reforms in WB6

II.1.2. Formalize

the regional investment

reform agenda through

appropriate instruments

II.1.5. Diversification

of financial systems to

boost investment

II.1.6. Smart

Growth

II.1.4. Promote

WB6 region as a unique investment destination

II.1.1. Develop and

establish a regional investment

reform agenda

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2.5 2.53.0

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On the overall state of play, the region stands on a moderate level of preparation in the investment component of the MAP REA. WB6 has advanced in preparing the regional investment reform agenda, building/upgrading the smart specialisation plat-form, as well as establishing the regional platform

on capital markets and agreeing on the need for a regional strategic approach to this part of the agenda (see Figure 2). The regional deliverables have been agreed upon at the existing/newly es-tablished platforms as follows:

Table 2: State of play of the RCC facilitated regional deliverables

Deliverables Output indicatorConsensus on regional investment reform agenda (RIRA) with pertinent set of policies

RIRA endorsed through consultations at individual economy level, and structural regional dialogue through SEEIC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Investments, SEEIC plenary and ultimately SEEIC ministerial meeting

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Deliverables Output indicatorReaffirmedmandateofSEEIC-CEFTAJointWorkingGroup on Investments

Terms of Reference of SEEIC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Investments amended with a focus on MAP REA and adopted, with mandated participants in charge of investment policy, investment promotion, investment agreements and CEFTA contact points

Established regional capital markets platform Working Group on Capital Markets established and official, comprised of representatives fromMinistries of Finance, Central Banks, Securities Commissions and Stock Exchanges, with adopted Terms of Reference with a focus on MAP REA

Regional project initiative for financial marketscoordination and diversification of access tofinancethroughcapitalmarkets

Multi-annual regional programme proposal for capital markets developed under the guidance of the Working Group on Capital Markets

Initiation of introduction of Smart Specialisation to strategic industrial development documents

S3 teams established and S3 roadmaps drafted in 5 economies

State of implementation at objective levelII.1. Investment policyThe WB6 as a region is on a good track in imple-mentation of the investment component of the MAP REA. During the reporting period, all economies delivered necessary inputs and took part in prep-aration of RIRA, both through individual economy consultations and the regional dialogue (through sessions of SEEIC-CEFTA Working Group on Invest-ments and SEEIC plenary and ministerial fora). Fur-thermore, the region has focused on the agenda for the diversification of finance through the capitalmarkets, by establishing a new regional platform – Working Group on Capital Markets – and develop-ing a multi-annual regional programme proposal for capital markets development.

RIRA has been developed under the guidance of the SEEIC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Invest-ments and technical support of the World Bank Group through an EU-funded regional programme on investment policy and promotion. It sets out the pathway for creating a dynamic investment space in the WB6, according to the MAP REA, within the context of the SEE 2020 Strategy and CEFTA legal framework, and pursuant to the individual econo-my SAAs. It puts the priorities of the private sector at the centre stage while recognising the individual development priorities of the WB6 economies.

In line with these twin objectives, the agenda fo-cuses on core areas of investment policy as well as related policies that matter most to the private sector and the governments of the region. RIRA is

intended to contribute and add value to individual investmentreformeffortsundertakenbytheecon-omies of the region. The agenda acknowledges the differing reformbaselinesaswellas implementa-tion capacities across the economies of the region, as well as the different stages of EU integrationprocess. RIRA ensures transparent and fair compe-tition amongst the economies by mitigating a “race to the bottom” whilst not hindering the interests of the WB6 economies. The ultimate goal of the agen-da is to improve the attractiveness of the region as a whole for foreign and intra-regional business, and hence facilitate higher inflowof investments andgenerate higher entrepreneurial activity, trade, and ultimately jobs. Hence, the WB6 are commit-ted to design and implement a regional investment reform agenda which will lead to greater harmoni-sation of regional investment policies aligned with EU and international standards and best practices, andwill provide significant newopportunities forthe private sector.

The WB6 succeeded to implement the MAP REA measures prescribed for the 1st half of 2018 under the investment component, as follows11:

Objective II.1.1. Develop and establish a regional investment reform agendaThe region has implemented the MAP REA measures forthisspecificdimensionwithinthetimeframeforthefirsthalfof2018.Detailedmappingofforeign

11 MAP REA Investment component measures not mentioned under this heading are intended for the later stage, after the WB6 Summit in London and are taken into consideration under the Next Steps heading

investments in the WB6 region has been performed, with the input and access to FDI-relevant data pro-vided by the WB6 economies. Based on this data, a comprehensive inventory/database of key invest-ment policy barriers and inhibitors has been iden-tified and compiled, and best practices outlined.This work has been performed through in-depth consultations with the private sector and review of existing analysis, with economies providing neces-sary data on existing policies, laws, and regulations pertaining to investment, relevant system of incen-tives as well as legal and other comprehensive pro-tection of the acquired rights of investors12. With this, and other data taken into account, a regional investment reform agenda proposal has been for-mulated and this agenda has been consulted with the participating WB6 economies on the individual economy level.

Given that the RIRA is comprised of heterogeneous mixofpoliciespertinenttoinvestments,differentinstitutions in charge of those policy areas took part in the consultations and provided their inputs, under the coordination of the MAP REA Investment Contact Points. Individual-economy consultations were used to help align the proposed measures with different investment context in each of theWB6 economies, as well with the diverse priorities contained in individual economy strategic objec-tivesandreformefforts(i.e.EconomicReformPro-grammes). Following the consultations, RIRA was further discussed through the SEEIC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Investments, both in direct work-ing group sessions as well as continuous online con-sultations throughout the reporting period. As the Working Group on Investment operates under the auspices of the SEE Investment Committee (SEE-IC), thefinalproposaloftheRIRAwasauthorisedat the SEEIC Plenary meeting on 27 April 2018 and ultimately endorsed by the Ministers of Economies at the SEEIC Ministerial meeting on 11 May 2018. Basedonthefinalministerialdecision,RIRAwillbeforwarded to the region’s Prime Ministers for adop-tion at the upcoming WB6 Summit.

RIRA entails measures on the following policy areas:

I. Investor Entry and Establishment

1. Enhancing entry and establishment opportunities for investors

2. Improving business establishment policies and procedures

12 More than 750 multinational corporations have been surveyedinordertofindoutwhatmotivatesinvestors’decision-making, with access to new markets (including regional) or new customer being the top priority rather than just the domestic market of one host economy.

II. Investment Protection and Retention

3. Aligning the legal frameworks for investment, including IIAs, with in-ternational good practice and EU standards

4. Strengthening investment retention mechanisms in the region

III. Investment Attraction and Promotion

5. Developing a regional investment promotion initiative

6. Streamlining incentives, and im-proving their transparency and gov-ernance

Objective II.1.2. Formalise the regional investment reform agenda through appropriate instrumentsActions under this objective are planned for the secondhalfof2018andnospecificactivitiescanbe reported to date.

Objective II.1.3 Implement and monitor investment reforms in WB6 as per established regional investment reform agendaThe regional dialogue on RIRA has been strength-ened and guided under the existing RCC’s SEEIC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Investments. The regional platform has developed and endorsed an updatedTermsofReference,withaspecificfocusgiven to the implementation of MAP REA Invest-ment component. The updated ToR requires con-tinuous participation in the Working Group by the economies’ representatives in charge of investment policy, investment promotion, investment agree-ments and CEFTA contact points. This work is sup-ported by the MAP REA Investment Contact Points, appointed by the MAP REA National Coordinators. Sofar,severaleconomieshaveclearlydefinedandmandated representation of the relevant public in-stitutions with appropriate decision-making power in implementation of the agreed regional invest-ment reform agenda, while others are anticipated to do so in the upcoming period.

Objective II.1.4. Promote WB6 region as a unique investment destination RIRA also includes a joint investment promotion ini-tiative for WB6 in priority sectors. This initiative, also stipulated by the SEE 2020 Strategy, includes identifying and selecting additional priority sec-torsunderthesmartspecialisationeffortthatwill

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have the priority focus in the investment promotion activities in the upcoming period. The operational platform for investment promotion already exists under the RCC’s SEEIC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Investments and its participants mandated by the investment promotion authorities will take the lead in implementing this part of MAP REA. The work on the regional investment promotion takes into account the development of the online region-al platform for promotion of the WB6 undertaken by the Chamber Investment Forum – CIF.

Objective II.1.5. Diversification of financial systems to boost investment All measures planned to be implemented under this objective during the reporting period have been executed. The RCC supported establishment of a Working Group on Capital Market set up in Decem-ber 2017, comprising policymakers (Ministries of Finance and Central Banks), capital market regula-tors (Securities Commissions) and operators (Stock Exchanges) with the objective of spearheading cap-ital market development matters and enhancing co-ordination on regulatory and supervisory regimes in the region and beyond. Terms of Reference for the Working Group have been adopted, with a focus on implementation of capital markets measures under MAP REA, intended to expand and diversify access tofinancebeyondthebankingsectorandcontrib-ute to the creation of a more dynamic investment space in the region. Capital markets development needsidentifiedinthefirstMAPStocktakingReportwerealsoconfirmedbythegroup,whichalsoputforward other measures and activities, beyond the stipulations of MAP REA, including:

� Determining detailed gaps, barriers, and needs of development of capital markets, and articulating them into concrete reform proposals: regional strategy for development of capital market

� Addressing the barriers and challenges to capital market development through targeted policy interventions by integrating them into individual-economy strategic documents and implementing the proposed reforms on the individual-economy levels

� Establishingnewplatformsforaccesstofinances(i.e. crowdfunding, venture capital, etc.)

� Increasing capacity of existing capital market structures and initiating establishment of capital market structures where non-existing

� Upgrading joint regional trading platforms

These proposals have been consolidated into a con-cept note for multi-annual regional programme for capital market development that is currently being proposedforconsiderationforfinancingandfutureimplementation.

Objective II.1.6. Smart GrowthResearch and innovation policy frameworks and ini-tiatives have been very dynamic in all economies of the region over the past year. Majority of econo-mies have started to engage in developing policies, instruments and institutions to directly support in-novation in the private sector, enhance cooperation between the academia and industry, and promote technology transfer and commercialisation of re-search.

Development of smart specialisation strategies has been placed on the agenda as one of the priorities for 2018 by all economies. Montenegro and Serbia have progressed in the development of the smart specialisation strategies, while the other four economies have initiated the process of the devel-opment of smart specialisation strategies by ap-pointing the coordinating institution and the team to work on the preparation of the smart specialisa-tion in early 2018. RCC and the Directorate-General Joint Research Centre (DG JRC) of the European Commission co-organised a joint Workshop on the Governance of Smart Specialisation and Training on the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) in the Western Balkans, which was held at the Ljubljana Technology Park in April 2018.

During the course of the workshop, Albania, Bos-nia and Herzegovina, Kosovo* and The Former Yu-goslav Republic of Macedonia have completed the firstdraftsoftheRoadmapsfortheDevelopmentofthe Smart Specialisation Strategies, while Montene-gro and Serbia have started to prepare operational plans for the implementation of the EDP process. AlbaniahasfinalisedthefirstphaseoftheS3road-map having obtained a letter of intention from the JRC regarding the collaboration on the develop-ment of smart specialisation strategy. Also, the in-stitutional capacity building phase of the roadmap was concluded, and the desk research of existing policiesandstrategiesrelatedtoS3hasbeenfinal-ised. The decision to have a S3 - while also piloting the Region 2 - was taken in close collaboration and consultation with the RDA2. The Albanian S3 team is working closely with JRC following the steps foreseen in the jointly agreed roadmap. Montene-gro started with Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) in May 2018 and is now holding the second round of consultations with private, public, aca-

demic and civil society sectors regarding S3 priority sectors.

The Western Balkan region has significantly im-proved innovation performance in the last ten years. However, in catching up with other European regions, the focusof innovationefforts shouldbeenhanced. Although some Western Balkan econo-mies have seen increases in patent activity, patent intensity in the region is still low, while, on the oth-erhand,scientificpublicationproductiondisplaysa stable growth trend. Exports are still far more focused on medium- and low-technology products. Innovative effortsmostly accommodate tradition-allystrongsectors,whichdonotnecessarilyreflectthe ideal competitiveness paths for economies in the region13.

According to the 2018 Balkan Barometer Business Opinion Survey, almost every fourth company in SEE has reported introducing new products and/or services and every third company has improved production and/or service delivery process in the past three years. In terms of sectors, companies fromeducational-scientificsectortendtoinnovatemore, while those in transport, trade and tour-ism seem to innovate the least of all compared to othersectors.Only9%oftheintroducedinnovationcomes from cooperation with the universities in the region.

A multi-country IPA project aimed at supporting technology transfer and innovation in the Western Balkans – EU4Tech – managed by DG NEAR and DG Joint Researcher Centre was launched at the begin-ning of 2016. Fifteen organisations in the ecosys-tem for TT capacity building in the WB6 have been identifiedwithintheprojectandtargetedcapacitybuilding and trainings are to commence in 2018.

Furthermore, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is conducting a feasibility study for a regional Centre of Excellence which should propose institution(s)/hub(s) with highest potential for Centre of Excel-lence based on research agenda, capacity to inte-graterelatedfields,enableindustrialconnectivity,and ensure visibility and sustainability. Due to de-lays, the study has not yet been made available, but it is expected to be published later in 2018.

Investments to support innovation, as well as com-mercialisation of public research are of crucial im-portance. Serbia has set up a functional innovation fund, as did The Former Yugoslav Republic of Mace-

13 Supporting Innovation Agenda for the Western Balkans: Tools and Methodologies, EU (2018). Available at http://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/bitstream/JRC111430/2018-04-24_western-balkans-report_online.pdf

donia.AlbaniaalsoofferspublicgrantstoSMEsthatfocus on innovation and technology by supporting audit of innovation and technology needs, partici-pation in innovation and technology national and international fairs, procurement of technology-intensive/innovative equipment/machinery, etc. Other economies have started introducing differ-ent innovation voucher schemes on a smaller scale. Under the Western Balkans Enterprise Development and Innovation Facility (WB EDIF), the World Bank is implementing technical assistance to support de-velopment of an enabling venture capital ecosys-tem and assist with investment readiness of SMEs. Investment readiness pilots are being implemented throughout the region.

The EU4Tech project, mentioned above, has re-viewedexistingavailableTTfinancial instrumentsinregion.Basedontheidentifiedgaps,JRC’sthe-maticexpertiseandEIB’sfinancial know-howwillbe used in a synergetic way to launch a small-scale WB6 pilot initiative funded through the multi-coun-try IPA, which will represent the next, and firstpractical,stageintheeffortstocoverthesocalled“valley of death” between research and industry.

Obstacles and challenges The implementation of the investment component of the MAP REA encounters some difficulties andrisks that need to be addressed both at individual-economy and regional level. The main challenges relate to capacity of public administration to com-ply with this demanding agenda, as well as coor-dination amongst the relevant institutions at the level of each individual economy. Although some technical assistance to support implementation of one part of the measures put forward in MAP REA Investment component has been available, further assistance is needed, particularly on the legal side of RIRA, more comprehensive investment promo-tion, and implementation of the measures devel-oped under the capital markets segment.

The challenges in implementing investment compo-nent measures entail:

� The level of harmonisation of the domestic legislation with the respective EU acquis is uneven across WB6 as economies are at differentstagesofEUintegrationprocesswithown plans for legislative harmonisation process. This may in certain areas collide with the need to have regional positions or deploying regional actions. Due consideration is to be given to this, alongwiththeattentiontothedifferentlevels

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of development and reform priorities in each of the participating economies.

� Both the available expertise and human capacity is a challenge across the region. The administrations are usually understaffed(particularly investment promotion agencies, but situation is not much different in theministries either) or lack technical and expert capacity and need support in designing and implementing the activities dedicated to regional cooperation, as this usually represents work on top and beyond the usual scope. Thus, technical assistance is needed at several levels to support the administrations in implementing MAP REA measures.

� Administrative and bureaucratic obstacles to the implementation of the measures may hinder the process of implementation of agreed MAP REA measures at individual economy levels and dilute the quality of reforms. The effective implementation of reforms willentail a complexed chain of decision-making at the individual economy levels. For this reason, dedicated and effective coordinationand communication amongst the relevant stakeholders in each of the economies will be needed amongst to successfully implement the measures.

� There is a clear need to integrate WB6 closer into the EU programmes and initiatives, as there are several actions intended to facilitate the participation of WB6 in EU programmes, initiatives and institutions. This also requires a proactive and positive response by EU institutions and other potential partners involved, and a need for DG NEAR to coordinate this process.

Recommendations and next stepsThis section provides a blueprint for next steps to be undertaken in the coming period so as to reach the set objectives under the MAP REA Investment component. The recommendations represent a nat-ural sequence of implementation of the Investment component, taking into account that the measures foreseen for the reporting period have been ful-filled.

II.1.1. Develop and establish a regional investment reform agenda

� Formulate individual-economy action plans reflecting the regional investment reformagenda and streamlining the individual-economy reformefforts

� Adopt individual economy action plans, reflecting the regional investment reformagenda and streamlining the individual economy reformefforts

II.1.2. Formalise the regional investment reform agenda through appropriate instruments

� Conduct analysis and propose options for appropriate instrument(s) acceptable to WB6 economies based on the content of the agreed regional investment reform agenda

� Decide on the feasibility, format, and scope of appropriate instrument(s) for implementation of the regional investment reform agenda

� Initiate and conclude negotiations on regionally suitable instrument(s), depending on the decision reached.

II.1.3. Implement and monitor investment reforms in WB6 as per established regional investment reform agenda

� Establish individual-economy focus groups in charge of implementation of agreed investment reforms on individual economy level

� Review the progress of implementation of the regional investment reform agenda and conduct impact assessment through a regular regional dialogue under the RCC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Investment Policy and Promotion meetings and reports

� Report on the implementation and impact of the regional investment reform agenda through the RCC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Investment Policy and Promotion and SEE Investment Committee Ministerial Platform and the WB6 summit

II.1.4. Promote WB6 region as a unique investment destination

� Implement a small set of focused investment outreach activities in core sectors targeted by the SEE 2020 Strategy

� Dedicate part of the individual activities of investment promotion agencies to promoting the region as a sound investment destination

1.5 MOBILITYOverall state of play/progressRetention and subsequent leveraging of human intellectual capital is of fundamental importance for developing knowledge-based economies in the Western Balkans. In an increasingly global econo-my, the extent to which international high-skilled mobility channels are formed within the region and between the region and the EU is a question of great importance. Better integration of high-skilled professionals and academics into professional and research networks, the European Research Area and the European Higher Education Area, will yield significant benefits for the migratory region ofWestern Balkans.

The Western Balkan Enlargement Strategy empha-sised the need to ensure full integration of the WB6 into the European Research Area and the European Higher Education Area to support integration of the students, researchers and academics into the ex-isting European networks. Furthermore, the SofiaDeclaration of the EU – Western Balkans Summit callsforincreasedeffortsonrecognitionofquali-fications.

AlloftheWB6economieshavesteppedupeffortsto prioritise and remove obstacles to mobility of researchers, resulting in overall good progress in this area. The WB6 have prioritised mobility of re-searchers in their respective strategic frameworks. In response to the identified obstacles to mobil-ity of researchers, which include financial barri-ers, majority of the economies have created grant schemes to support mobility of researchers at the level of individual economies. All of the WB6 par-ticipate in Horizon2020 with varied success rates, as well as the Marie Curie Sklodowska Actions where success rates of the WB6 researchers are low. For thefirsttimesomeofthe2018EUProgressReportshaveflaggedtheparticipationratesoftheWB6inthe MCSA. In the past year majority of WB6 have conducted specific capacity building measures tosupport active participation and increased success rates in available EU programmes. In the light of the preparations of the next generation of the EU programmes, inparticulartheFP9,theWB6havean opportunity to formulate joint positions and propose concrete measures to tackle the challeng-es currently faced.

With regards to actions aimed at supporting re-search infrastructure and the development of cen-tres of excellence in the region, progress has been

slower and variation between economies more prominent. All the WB6 economies apart from Ko-sovo* have representatives in the European Strat-egy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI). Montenegro completed mapping of research infra-structureandfinalisedtheResearchInfrastructureRoadmap in line with ESFRI, while Serbia is in the finalstageofcompletingthemappingexerciseandthe Research Infrastructure Roadmap. Additional resources and technical expertise is needed to sup-port the mapping of RI and the development of RI Roadmaps in other four economies.

Despite initial delays, technical preparations for opening of the negotiations on the Mutual Recog-nitionAgreementofProfessionalQualificationsforDoctors of Medicine, Dentists, Architects and Civil Engineers have been completed marking good pro-gress on removing obstacles to recognition of pro-fessional qualifications. The joint Working Groupon Recognition of Professional Qualifications hasagreed on the 7th of May 2018 to recommend the opening of the negotiations on the Mutual Recog-nitionAgreementofProfessionalQualificationsforDoctors of Medicine, Dentists, Architects and Civil Engineers in a multilateral framework. Based on the recommendation of the Joint Working Group on Recognition of Professional Qualifications thegovernments of the WB6 are expected to provide the mandates and to appoint the Lead Negotiator, Deputy Lead Negotiator and the negotiation teams. Provided that all governments complete their pro-cedures and inform the RCC Secretary General thereof,thefirstmeetingofthenegotiatingteamscould take place during July 2018. In addition, the Joint Working Group on Recognition of Professional Qualifications also agreed to recommend to thegovernments to appoint a coordinator for the Da-tabase on ProfessionalQualifications inWB6witha mandate to coordinate the data collection and submit the data to the Database on Professional Qualificationsbythe30thofJune2018.

One of the key conclusions of the JWG on MRPQ was to ensure the alignment of the recognition models proposed in the MRA to the EU recognition model as established in the Directive 2005/36/EC on Pro-fessional Qualifications. Therefore, the regionalnegotiationsandeffortstotransposetheDirective2005/36/EConProfessionalQualificationsaremu-tually reinforcing. Significant differences in pro-gress in the transposition of the Directive are no-ticeable amongst the WB6. To ensure this potential is fully captured, additional resources to support institutional capacity building and ensure expert supportonthespecificitiesoftheDirectivethrough

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active support of the relevant line DGs (DG GROW) throughout the negotiations are indispensable.

The planned actions on removing obstacles to rec-ognition of academic qualifications are ahead ofscheduled timeline; therefore, advanced progress in the region can be noted. The regional and do-mestic efforts to remove the obstacles to recog-nition of academic qualifications are particularlytimely from an EU perspective as well. The Euro-pean Higher Education Area Ministerial Conference which took place in May 2018 has reinforced the importance of recognition of academic qualifica-tions. Furthermore, the EU is preparing a Commu-nicationofRecognitionofAcademicQualificationsto be endorsed by the EU Council during the Aus-trian Presidency of the EU.

The Working Group on Recognition of Academic Qualifications has agreed during December 2017to launch a joint exercise to identify similarities/differences in recognition of foreign degrees andto suggest further joint action to decrease the dif-ferences based on which Joint Guides on Recogni-tion ofAcademic Qualifi-cations will be prepared. An initial set of principles for recognition of aca-demic qualifications hasbeen discussed and is to be finalised at the nextmeeting of the Working Group on Recognition of Academic Qualifications.In addition, to facilitate information exchange and increase transpar-ency and cooperation in recognition of academic qualifications, a regional dialogue and regularmeetings of the ENIC/NARIC centres and the Qual-ity Assurance Agencies in the WB6 have been estab-

lished. Finally, the Working Group on Recognition ofAcademicQualificationshasagreedonaninitialconcept of the joint online system to share infor-mation, including on higher education institutions, qualificationsanddecisionstaken.Thisinformationwould thus be available to all ENIC/NARIC centres and ministries responsible for higher education in theWB6whichputstheprocesssignificantlyaheadof the proposed schedule.

The deepened regional cooperation on recognition of academic qualifications was reinforced by ad-ditional domestic efforts to shorten, simplify andcreate “student-friendly” procedures for recogni-tion of academic qualifications. The new legisla-tive frameworks adopted across WB6 in the last year open multiple opportunities for MAP actions to contributesignificantlytothemodernisationofthehigher education systems in the region.

Figure 3: Mobility - State of Preparedness of MAP REA Implementation in WB6 at the Level of Objec-tives

The regional deliverables have been agreed upon at the existing/newly established platforms as fol-lows:

0

1

2

3

4

5

Objective: III.1.1.Removal of obstacles

tomobility of researchers


to recognitionof professionalqualification


to recognitionof academicqualification

3.0 3.0

4.0

Table 3: State of play of the RCC facilitated regional deliverables

Deliverables Output indicatorSupport integration of the WB6 into the EU initiatives on R&D and Open Science policies in the WB6

WB6 participated in the EU Member States Meeting of the National Contact Points for Open Science as observers

EUReportonOpenSciencewillforthefirsttimeinclude a chapter on Western Balkans

Deliverables Output indicatorCompleted technical preparations for the opening of the negotiations on the Mutual Recognition Agreement on Recognition of Professional Qualifications for Doctors of Medicine, Dentists,Architects and Civil Engineers

Recommendation on opening the negotiations on the Mutual Recognition Agreement on Recognition of Professional Qualifications for Doctors ofMedicine, Dentists, Architects and Civil Engineers agreed by the Joint Working Group on Mutual RecognitionofProfessionalQualifications

Draft legal text of the Mutual Recognition Agreement on Recognition of Professional Qualifications forDoctors of Medicine, Dentists, Architects and Civil Engineers prepared

Structured approach on Recognition of Academic QualificationsinSouthEastEuropewasagreedandendorsed

Initiated work on technical preparation for a model ofautomaticrecognitionofacademicqualificationsin the WB6

Initiated work on the joint information system, i.e. regional on-line system to facilitate recognition of academic qualifications was prepared anddiscussed with the WG on RAQ

Kicked-off the network of ENIC/NARIC and QAagencies in the WB6

Formalised the Working Group on Recognition of Academic Qualification which adopted Terms ofReference and Work Plan for 2018

Comparative study which included policy recommendations on removing obstacles to recognition of academic qualifications after acomprehensiveconsultationprocesswasfinalised

Principles of a model of recognition of academic qualificationspresentedanddiscussed

Joint Exercise on Recognition of Academic Qualifications outlining the objectives,methodology, results and next steps to facilitate recognitionofacademicqualificationswasinitiated

First concept of the joint information system, i.e. regional on-line system to facilitate recognition of academic qualifications was prepared anddiscussed with the WG on RAQ

Network of ENIC/NARIC and QA agencies met for thefirsttimeinMarch2018

State of implementation at objective levelPolicy: III.1. Mobility of Researchers

Objective: III.1.1. Removal of obstacles to mobility of researchersAlloftheWB6economieshavesteppedupeffortsmarking overall good progress on removing obsta-cles to mobility of researchers. All WB6 have pri-oritised mobility of researchers in their respective strategicframeworks.AdditionaleffortsweremadebyAlbaniawheretheNationalAgencyforScientificResearch and Innovation prepared a report for Min-istryofEducationwiththemainfindingson legalbarriers to mobility of researchers, as well as on-line version of the Incoming Researchers Mobility

Guide. In Bosnia and Herzegovina establishment of the Registry of third-country nationals for the purposes of research, studies, training, volunteer service, schemes or educational projects was initi-ated; together with Ministry of Security and Service forForeigners’AffairsofBosniaandHerzegovina.Serbia has identified legal barriers tomobility intheStrategyforScientificandTechnologicalDevel-opment of Serbia for the period from 2016 to 2020 - “Research for innovation” – and prepared an Action Plan be adopted in 2018. In response to the identi-fiedobstaclestomobilityofresearchers,whichin-cludefinancialbarriers,majorityoftheeconomieshave created grant schemes to support mobility of researchers. In Kosovo* the Ministry of Education and Science has allocated EUR 60,000.00 for mo-bility for 2018; in 2017, 84 researchersbenefited

26 27


from this mobility fund. The 2018 Mobility Call has also been announced, and will remain open from February until October 2018 - 23 researchers have been supported during April-May.14 In The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia the Ministry of Edu-cation and Sciences provides financial support toyoungscientific-researchstaffwithgrantingschol-arshipsfortheacademicyear2018/2019forsecondand third cycle of studies at the top 10 ranked uni-versitiesinallscientificfieldsofstudyandatoneof thefirst100 rankeduniversities in thefieldoftechnical sciences according to the Academic Rank-ing of World Universities (ARWU).

All WB6 economies participate in Horizon2020 with varied success rates, as well as the Marie Curie Sk-lodowska Actions where success rates of the WB6 researchers seem to be low. According to EU’s Pro-gress Report in Albania the applicants to H2020 pro-grammehadincreasedto249from146in2016,butthesuccessrateremainscomparatively low(7.9%compared to 14.7% overall for Horizon 2020). Fur-thermore,participationinMarieSkłodowska-CurieActions have been increasing steadily over the last years, counting a total of 21 funded talented re-searchers since 2014. Regarding the participation inH2020,BosniaandHerzegovinahassofar29suc-cessful projects with 45 participants from BiH, and has received EUR 4.1 mil, with success rate 14.4 versus 14.7 EU average. Bosnia and Herzegovina participates in all EU mobility schemes, particular-ly in MSC Actions. So far, BiH had 1 application in IF, 11 applications in ITN, 16 in RISE, and 2 researches involved in COFUND. Progress report for Kosovo* states that so far Kosovo* has participated 10 times in H2020 projects (2 new ones in 2016 and 1 new in 2017)andhashadthefirstexperiencedresearcherfundedthroughtheMarieSkłodowska-CurieActionslast year.15 During 2018, Kosovo* approved a regula-tionforthedefinitionandfunctionalisationoftheNCP seeking to increase Horizon 2020 participation. Montenegro’s participation in the framework pro-gramme Horizon 2020 (H2020) is quoted in progress report to be 13 projects; however it is underscored that the success rates have improved and are close to the European average.16 According to EU’s pro-gress report Serbia continues to be active and suc-cessful in the EU research programme Horizon 2020 as well as in EUREKA, COST and the NATO Science

1419participatingintheinternationalconferences,and4othersinscientificresearchers.15 https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/20180417-kosovo-report.pdf16 https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/20180417-montenegro-report.pdf

and Peace for Security programmes. It also empha-sises that the number of early-stage or experienced researchersparticipatinginMarieSkłodowska-CurieActions has increased steadily over the last years, counting a total of 126 funded talented researchers since 2014.17 The progress report for The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia cites that annual participation in the Horizon 2020 programme has doubled in 2016 and preliminary figures for 2017show a continuation of this very positive trend. Overall, the Horizon 2020 success rate is low at 9.7%.18

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have been participating successfully in COST actions which support integration of researchers into Eu-ropean networks and raise their capacity. Albania has joined COST only this year (2018) while Ko-sovo* joined COST as a Near Neighbour Country. To support participation of WB6 (and others) in Horizon2020 the EU has opened special sub-pro-grammes - Widening measures, including Twinning, ERA Chairs and Widening Fellowships – in which the WB6 participate.

MatchingeffortshavebeeninstigatedbytheWB6economies which have in the past year conducted specificcapacitybuildingmeasurestosupportac-tive participation and increased success rates in available EU programmes. In Albania the Ministry of Education and Science through the National Agency forScientificResearchandInnovationhasforeseento train a group of 100 researchers on accessibil-ityandbenefitopportunitiesfromtheHorizon2020programme. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Na-tional Contact Points for Horizon 2020 organised 20 info days, workshops and seminars in cooperation with universities, development agencies and cham-bers of commerce. Also, within the same structure, the Guideline for the Horizon 2020 programme was prepared and a grant scheme in the amount of BAM 444,000 was disbursed by the Ministry of Civil Af-fairs both in 2016 and 2017 as a support to research and academic institutions, SMEs and other R&D in-stitutions for preparing and submitting H2020, COST and EUREKA applications. In Montenegro training to improve the development of project proposals was providedwhiletheH2020NationalOffice,nationalfocal points, and the system of delegates to the H2020 Programme Committees were reorganised,

17 https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/20180417-serbia-report.pdf18 https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/20180417-the-former-yugoslav-republic-of-macedonia-report.pdf

and awareness raising measures resumed accord-ing to this year’s progress report. In The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia an action plan for enhancing participation in Horizon 2020 and MSC actions respectively has been prepared foreseeing promotional activities and capacity building activi-ties.

In the light of preparations for the next generation oftheprogrammes,theso-calledFP9programme,the experience of the WB6 should be taken into ac-count when designing particular instruments and measures of the programme, particularly as the WB6 experiences are not unique and are shared with many Central, Eastern and Mediterranean countries of the EU. Experiences of the FP7 where particular calls were directed at the WB research-ers and institutions were highlighted as particularly useful for the capacity building of the WB institu-tions and have had significant positive impact onthe increased success rates of the WB institutions in competing with EU member states on a more equal footing. These actions should be considered for replication in FP9 and possibly the remainingcalls under Horizon2020.

Western Balkan economies’ active participation in the Programme Committees of Horizon 2020 is im-portant, given the perspective of EU membership highlighted by the European Commission’s new en-largement strategy. As concluded at the last meet-ing of the Western Balkan Platform on Research and Development and Innovation19, the Western Balkan ministers might wish to consider addressing a joint letter to the European Commission proposing full voting rights in the Programme Committees to con-tribute to the discussions undertaken in the com-mittees.

Furthermore, each government has signed several bilateral agreements with economies of the region and outside the region to promote research coop-eration. However, the implementation of the bilat-eralagreementsisstalledduetolimitedfinancialresources. Therefore, some of the MAP mobility contact points have initiated discussions on a po-tential multilateral agreement which may elevate someoftheexistingfinanciallimitations.

With regards to actions aimed at supporting re-search infrastructure progress has been slower and variation between economies more prominent. All the WB6 economies apart from Kosovo* have representatives in the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI). Montenegro

19Seefullconclusionshere:https://wbc-rti.info/object/news/17083

completed mapping of research infrastructure and finalised the Research Infrastructure Roadmap inlinewithESFRI,whileSerbiaisinthefinalstageofcompleting the mapping exercise and the Research Infrastructure Roadmap. Albania and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have announced preparation of the mapping of research infrastruc-ture in the upcoming period. Only Serbia has ERIC (European Research Infrastructure Consortium) contact point and is one of the founding members of the Central European Research Infrastructure Consortium (CERIC-ERIC) and participates in Digi-tal Research Infrastructure for Arts and Humanities ERIC (DARIAH-ERIC20) and European Social Survey ERIC (ESS-ERIC21).

The Working Group on Open Science (WGOS) was formed under the auspices of the Regional Coop-eration Council (RCC) with the aim of accelerat-ing policy reforms in favour of Open Science in the Western Balkan economies and in particular to en-sure synergies between planned and new domes-tic e-infrastructures to support Open Access and Open Data policies in the region. Ensuring synergies amongst e-infrastructures at European and global level and designating a National Point of Reference for Open Access is essential for integration of the WB into the European Research Area. To support the process of Opening Science in the Western Balkans the DG R&D invited the WB6 to attend as observ-ers the regular meetings of the network of National PointsofReferenceonScientificInformation(NPR)of EU member states as well as included them into the upcoming cycle of regular EU reporting on Open Science.

The regional initiative, led by Montenegro, to es-tablish a South East European International Insti-tute for Sustainable Technologies (SEEIIST) aims

20 DARIAH is a European Research Infrastructure Consortium(ERIC), a pan-European infrastructure for arts and humanities scholars working with computational methods. It supports digital research as well as the teaching of digital research methods. Currently DARIAH has 17members: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, as well as cooperating Partners with eight non-member countries: Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. https://www.dariah.eu/21 The European Social Survey (ESS) is an academically driven cross-national survey that has been conducted across Europe since its establishment in 2001. Prior to the award of ERIC status, the ESS was funded on a round-by-round basis. The central coordination and design was funded through the European Commission’s Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Framework Programmes, the European Science Foundation (ESF) and national funding councils in the participating countries.

28 29


to build a regional centre of excellence centred around a research nucleus with the newest tech-nologywhichwouldofferafirst-classresearchandhave long-term effects on economic growth. Theinitiative has gained wide regional support whereby the Declaration of Intent to establish SEEIIST was signed on 25 October 2017 at CERN by Ministers of Science and other representatives of the respective economies.ThefirstmeetingoftheSEEIISTSteer-ing Committee took place on 30 January 2018 in Sofia,duringtheBulgarianPresidencyoftheCoun-cil of the EU.

All of the WB6 economies, with an exception of Ko-sovo*, have established the EURAXESS Service Cen-tres and associated EURAXESS Jobs Portals, yet lit-tle information on researcher job vacancies in the region is available through the EURAXESS portal. Majority of the economies are investing additional resources to raise capacities of their respective EU-RAXESSoffices.

Policy: III.2. Mobility of Professionals

Objective: III.2.1. Removal of obstacles to recognition of professional qualificationsDespite initial delays, technical preparations for opening of the negotiations on the Mutual Recog-nitionAgreementofProfessionalQualificationsforDoctors of Medicine, Dentists, Architects and Civil Engineers have been completed marking good pro-gress on removing obstacles to recognition of pro-fessionalqualifications.

The Working Group on Recognition of Professional Qualifications has agreedon the 7th ofMay 2018to recommend the opening of the negotiations on the Mutual Recognition Agreement of Professional QualificationsforDoctorsofMedicine,Dentists,Ar-chitects and Civil Engineers in a multilateral frame-work. Based on the recommendation of the Joint Working Group on Recognition of Professional Qual-ificationsthegovernmentsoftheWB6areexpectedto provide the mandates and to appoint the Lead Negotiator, Deputy Lead Negotiator and the nego-tiation teams8. To facilitate the internal govern-mental procedures the RCC has provided the draft legal text of the Mutual Recognition Agreement of ProfessionalQualificationsforDoctorsofMedicine,Dentists, Architects and Civil Engineers.

Once the governments have completed the inter-nal governmental procedures they are to inform the RCC Secretary General. Once all WB6 have completed the procedures and have informed the RCCSecretaryGeneralthefirstmeetingofthene-gotiating teams will be called by the RCC where

the Rules of Procedures for the negotiations will be discussed. If all the governments complete their procedures and inform the RCC Secretary General thereof by the 30th of June 2018 as agreed, the firstmeetingof thenegotiating teamscould takeplace in July 2018.

In addition, Working Group on Recognition of Pro-fessionalQualificationsalsoagreedtorecommendto the governments to appoint a coordinator for the DatabaseonProfessionalQualificationsinWB6witha mandate to coordinate the data collection and submit the data to the Database on Professional Qualifications. To facilitate the establishment oftheDatabaseonProfessionalQualificationsinWB6the RCC has contracted a service provider to create the Database on Professional Qualifications. Theinitial data for the Health and Construction sectors has already been collected by the RCC. Therefore, once the governments have appointed the coordi-nators for theDatabaseonProfessionalQualifica-tionstheverificationofthedata,uponwhichthelaunching of Database depends, will be possible.

One of the key conclusions of the JWG on MRPQ was to ensure the alignment of the recognition models proposed in the MRA to the EU recognition model as established in the Directive 2005/36/EC on Pro-fessional Qualifications. Therefore, the regionalnegotiations and individual economies ‘efforts totranspose the Directive 2005/36/EC on Professional Qualificationsaremutuallyreinforcingandenablebuilding technical capacities of the administrations to conduct the negotiations and transpose and prepare for the implementation of the Directive 2005/36/EC on Professional Qualifications at thesame time. However, to ensure this potential is ful-ly captured additional resources to support institu-tional capacity building and ensure expert support onthespecificitiesoftheDirective2005/36/EConProfessional Qualifications through active supportof the relevant line DGs (DG GROW) throughout the negotiations are indispensable.

Albania aims to amend the Law No. 10171 (of 22.10.2009.)onRegulatedProfessions toapproxi-mate it with the Directive 2005/36/EC on Profes-sionalQualifications.Tothisend,aworkinggroupwas established by the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth which will conduct a wide consulta-tions process and analyse the current procedures to identify possible issues to address by developing concrete mitigation measures.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has prepared a Roadmap for implementation of EU Directive on Regulated

Professions 2005/36/EC adopted by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Coordination institution and the contact point for the implemen-tation of the Directive on regulated professions at the level of BiH, as well as sub-coordination insti-tution and sub-contact points at entity, canton and Brcko District BiH were nominated in late last year in accordance with the Decision adopted by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina22. Two meetings of the coordinator, contact point, sub-coordination institution and sub-contact points were held (December 2017 and March 2018). To support capacity building of all relevant BiH insti-tutionstheMinistryofCivilAffairsappliedforTAIEXproject Capacity-building for relevant institutions in BiH for transposition of EU Directive on regulated professions in the area of architecture and medi-cine to be held by the end of the year pending the necessary approvals.

In Kosovo*, on 28 October 2016, the Parliament of Kosovo* has approved the Law on Professional Qualifications(no.05/L-066)whichisalignedwiththe Directive 2005/36 / EC on professional quali-fications. The Law on Regulated Professions ap-proved in 2016 has created the legal bases to open the negotiations on mutual recognition agreements ofprofessionalqualificationsbetweenKosovo*andthe other WB economies for Doctors of Medicine, Dentists, Architects and Civil Engineers in a mul-tilateral framework. Even though the need for in-stitutional capacity building on the recognition of professionalqualificationsandtherelevantEUDi-rectives has been recognised, no institutional ca-pacity building has been secured in the past year.

In Montenegro, the draft version of the Law har-monised with Directive 2005/36 and amended Di-rective 2013/55 has been completed. The Law is to be adopted by the Parliament of Montenegro in the second quarter of 2018. The Law will enter into force with the accession of Montenegro into the EU. In accordance with the draft version of the Law a single point of contact will be established by the state administration authority competent for the economicaffairs.Creationofthelistofregulatedprofessions will be carried out by the Ministry of La-bourandSocialAffairs,usingexerciseoftranspar-ency forms, in close cooperation with all relevant ministries which are obliged to deliver suggestions regarding the list of their regulated professions.

Having in mind the importance of the regional co-operation and following up on the agreed conclu-

22 Only nomination of sub-contact point from the Ministry of Education and Culture of Republika Srpska is missing.

sions of the Joint Working Group on Mutual Rec-ognitionofProfessionalQualifications,Montenegrohas already conducted initial consultations on the negotiation teams with the relevant ministries and professional chambers. For the time being the rec-ognition of all diplomas and qualifications, regu-lated or not, permanent stay or temporary stay, is carried out in accordance with the uniform Law on the Recognition of Foreign Educational Credentials andQualificationsEquivalence.

Serbia has prepared a Draft Law on Recognition of ProfessionalQualifications23. Serbia prepared a pre-liminary list of regulated professions and the data-base for mutual recognition of professional quali-fications has been developed, based on an opensource solution that can be installed on any future platform. Furthermore, in order to ensure a system that shall provide minimum training conditions for occupations where an automatic system has been envisaged, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development has sent a factsheet to all relevant institutions so that they may harmonise their curricula with the prerequisites laid down in Directive 2005/36/EC. Analysis of this document is under way.

In The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia the Law on Recognition of Professional Qualificationwas adopted in 2010. A draft Law and draft by-laws onMutualRecognitionofProfessionalQualificationsaligned with the Directives 2005/36/EC, 2013/55/EU have been prepared, as well as recommenda-tions for harmonisation of the relevant legislation and alignment of the domestic educational pro-grammes with the minimum training requirements for the professions that are automatically recog-nised. The draft list of regulated professions has been completed. The database and software (web-site) for mutual recognition of professional quali-ficationshavebeendeveloped,basedonanopensource solution that can be installed on any future platform. The registry at this moment is incom-plete, but the input of the information into the database is planned to start after the transfer of the website into the Ministry’s data centre. Fur-thermore, the institutional capacities of the Inter-Ministerial Group and other relevant actors in the implementation process of the Law on Mutual Rec-ognition of Professional Qualifications have beenstrengthened through extensive awareness and training activities; including a production of video

23 The Working Group has 16 members (of which 12 are representatives of relevant ministries and 2 are representatives of the Bureau of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development).

30 31


recorded training materials for an online e-learning platform for future generations of newly recruited staffininstitutionswithanactiveroleintheimple-mentation of the Law and bylaws on Recognition of ProfessionalQualifications.

With regards to the preparations for the opening of the negotiations on the MRA, the Ministry of Educa-tion and Science has continuous coordination with all relevant institutions and professional organisa-tions, especially with those professional organisa-tionsresponsibleforthefiveregulatedprofessionsthat are stipulated by the JWG MRPQ for the future Mutual Recognition Agreement.

Policy: III.3. Mobility of students and highly skilled

Objective: III.3.1. Removal of obstacles to recognition of academic qualifications The planned actions on removing obstacles to rec-ognition of academic qualifications are ahead ofscheduled timeline. The deepened regional coop-eration on recognition of academic qualificationswas reinforced by additional domestic efforts toshorten, simplify and create “student-friendly” procedures for recognition of academic qualifica-tions. Therefore, advanced progress in the region can be noted.

The regional and domestic efforts to remove theobstaclestorecognitionofacademicqualificationsare particularly timely as the European Higher Edu-cation Area Ministerial Conference that took place during May 2018 reinforced the importance of rec-ognitionofacademicqualifications24 and as the EU is preparing a Communication of Recognition of AcademicQualificationstobeendorsedbytheEUCouncil during the Austrian Presidency of the EU.

At the regional level, the Working Group on Recog-nitionofAcademicQualificationshasbeenformal-ised in December 2017. The Working Group on Rec-ognitionofAcademicQualificationsoperationalisedand set forward an ambitious timeline to achieve the objectives set out by the MAP REA ahead of the initial schedule.

Since December 2017, the Working Group on Rec-ognitionofAcademicQualificationshasagreed tolaunch the joint exercise on recognition of aca-demicqualificationswithanobjective to identifysimilarities/differences in recognition of foreigndegrees;toanalyseanddiscussthedifferencesand to suggest further joint action to decrease the dif-

24 http://www.ehea2018.paris/Data/ElFinder/s2/Communique/EHEAParis2018-Communique-final.pdf

ferences based on which Joint Guides on Recogni-tion ofAcademicQualificationswill be prepared.Differentmodels for the recognition of academicqualificationshavebeendiscussedbytheWorkingGroup on Recognition ofAcademicQualifications.An initial set of principles for recognition of aca-demicqualificationshasbeendiscussedandistobefinalisedatthenextmeetingoftheWorkingGrouponRecognitionofAcademicQualifications.

In addition, to facilitate information exchange and increase transparency and cooperation in recogni-tionofacademicqualifications,aregionaldialogueand regular meetings of the ENIC/NARIC centres and the Quality Assurance Agencies in the WB6 have been established.

Furthermore, the Working Group on Recognition ofAcademicQualificationshasagreedonaninitialconcept of the joint online system to share infor-mation, including on higher education institutions, qualifications and decisions taken, available toENIC/NARIC centres and Ministries responsible for higher education in the WB6 which puts the process significantlyaheadoftheproposedschedule.

At the domestic level, all of the legislation is aligned with the Lisbon Recognition Convention and all of the ENIC/NARIC centres are members of the European network of the ENIC/NARIC centres apart from Kosovo*. Majority of the economies have been investingadditionaleffortstofurthersimplifyandcreate “student-friendly” recognition procedures over the past year.

In Albania, the secondary legislation on diploma recognition issued by Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth was further improved in January 2018. The number of the required documents for the di-ploma recognition was reduced to just 4 (the same for the PhD) and the procedure of diploma recog-nitionwasfurthersimplifiedbycreatinganonlineapplication procedure for applicants.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the BiH Centre for In-formation and Recognition of Qualifications inHigher Education (CIP) conducted a comprehensive analysis of regulation on recognition of academic qualificationsandfoundthatthepracticeofnostri-ficationcontinuestobeimplemented,contrarytothe Lisbon Recognition Convention. Furthermore, the established legislative framework is incoher-ent, in key recognition issues, and still lacking in other important issues in the area of recognition (for example, joint degrees, regulated professions, non-formal education and informal learning, recog-nitionofqualificationsforrefugeesanddisplaced

persons, etc.). CIP provided several recommen-dations to support the competent recognition au-thoritiestomitigatesomeoftheidentifiedissues.Furthermore, through the EU funded STINT project amodelforrecognitionofacademicqualificationsat public higher education institutions has been de-veloped and presented in all public higher educa-tion institutionstogetherwithtrainingofstaffonrecognitionofacademicqualifications.

In Montenegro, initial discussions have taken place with regards to possible changes to create more ef-fectiveand simplified recognitionprocedures,es-peciallywith regards to the issueofqualificationequivalence. Furthermore, Montenegro is in the process of creation of a database of recognition decisions with a clear overview of all recognition applicationsclassifiedperorigin,typeofHEI,studyprogramme,typeofqualification,etc.Theon-linesystem will facilitate recognition procedures and will be very useful for the planned joint regional online system of cooperation. The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has already established an automatic recognition procedure for some academ-icqualificationsinanefforttosimplifytherecog-nition processes. In this regard the recognition is automaticforqualificationsawardedbythehighereducation institutions in top 500 on the Shanghai ranking list and the Times Higher Education rank-ing. Furthermore, to facilitate the recognition process in WB6 The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has signed Mutual Agreements for Rec-ognition of Qualifications with Serbia, entered inforceon22/09/2016,andwithAlbania,enteredinforce on 16/02/2002.

To support the procedures for recognition within the EHEA, several tools have been developed in the framework of the Bologna process. The National Qualifications Frameworks help to identify “therelationbetweenthedifferentlevelsofanationaleducational system and itsmain types of qualifi-cations and provide generic learning outcomes for all NQF levels.” (EAR HEI 2016: 102). In Kosovo*, Montenegro and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia the NQF has been established through relevant legislation and respective QFs have been referenced to theEuropeanQualificationsFrame-work(EQF)andself-certifiedagainstthequalifica-tions framework of the EHEA. In Albania the Law on theAlbanian Qualifications Framework (AQF)wasadopted in 2010 and is aligned with developments in the EU.25 However, the NQF has not yet been certified and self-referenced towards the EQF. In

25https://www.ehea.info/pid34250-cid101090/albania.html

Serbia the Law on the NQF came into force only recently in April 2018.

In addition, the Diploma Supplement describes the qualification and the education system it belongsto, helping to further understand the qualifica-tion and thus facilitating its recognition (EAR HEI 2016:96).WithregardtotheDiplomaSupplement,it seems that majority of higher education institu-tions in the WB6 are issuing the Diploma Supple-ment, however it remains unclear to which extent are the HEIs issuing DS automatically, free of charge and in English language as agreed within the Bolo-gna framework.

It is important to note that within the Bologna framework an Advisory Group on the Revision of the Diploma Supplement (DS) has been established with a mandate to make recommendations to the Council of Europe, the European Commission and UNESCO in reviewing the Diploma Supplement, in cooperation with stakeholders. The Advisory Group prepared a comprehensive proposal for revision of the Diploma Supplement which aims to streamline the Diploma Supplement to include references to learning outcomes, as well as information on in-ternships and mobility experiences, references to extracurricular learning achievements and the recognition of prior learning, and recommended to the HEIs to embark on the digitalisation of DS and student data exchange, with a commitment to collect student data in a secure, machine-readable format, in line with data protection legislation. The recommendations of the Advisory Group have been endorsed by the European Higher Education Area Ministers in Paris on 25 May 2018. In the light of the European-level developments, the Working Group on Recognition of Academic Qualificationshasagreedtokick-offajointexerciseonDiplomaSupplement implementation in the WB6 to facili-tate preparation for the implementation of the re-vised Diploma Supplement in the region following the Ministerial agreements made in Paris.

Quality assurance of HEIs and study programmes is the underlying foundation of the recognition pro-cess. All of the WB6 have established QA bodies, but currently only CAQA – Commission for Accredi-tation and Quality Assurance of Serbia is registered in European Quality Assurance Register. However, the domestic legislation for higher education has undergone significant changes in thepast year inMontenegro, Serbia and The Former Yugoslav Re-public of Macedonia. In all three economies the new legislation envisages establishment of full-fledgedAgenciesforQualityAssuranceinlinewith

32 33


the European Standards and Guidelines for Qual-ity Assurance. Kosovo* Accreditation Agency (KAA) functions as an independent agency since 2008, and uses Standards and Guidelines for Quality As-surance based on ESG 2015.

Obstacles and challenges The Mobility agenda has seen dynamic progress, in particular in reaching the key milestone in re-moving obstacles to recognition of professional and academic qualifications. Further implementationwill require increased administrative capacities of the authorities involved in the two processes. To support the implementation, technical assistance to build further the domestic institutional capaci-ties will be needed. However, more importantly, the two processes open possibilities to support syn-ergies with the European processes, domestic ef-forts to transpose the relevant EU acquis and to integrate further into the existing European institu-tions. To enable the positive spill-overs and release thepotentialofthemultiplyingeffectscontainedin these two agendas it is essential to ensure addi-tionalfinancialresourcesandtechnicalassistanceto add on activities which would enable these ef-fects (for instance in supporting the development of the QA systems, their alignment with the ESG and registration of QA bodies from the WB in the EQAR).Therecognitionagendabenefitedfromtheexisting operationalised work plans, a similar joint work plan is missing in the agenda on the Mobility of Researchers. This is partly due to the nature of the actions, which are predominantly in domain of individual economies.However, benefits could bedrawn from a joint work plan which would support furthertheeffortsmadeatthelevelofindividualeconomies. The main challenges to the implemen-tation of the actions outlined in the Mobility of Re-searchers of MAP relate to availability of technical assistance to implement some of the actions put forwardinMAP,asspecifiedbelow,andlackofcap-ital investment into research infrastructure.

The challenges in implementing mobility compo-nent measures entail:

� The research systems are specific and variedacross the region. This poses challenges to creating a joint operational action plan to address the identified challenges as majority of theactions outlined in the Mobility of Researchers requires targeted domestic measures. However, the potential for joint actions where they can reinforce the measures undertaken at level of individual economies should not be missed.

� The level of harmonisation of the domestic legislation with the respective EU acquis on recognition of professional qualifications isuneven across WB6. This poses challenges to the dynamics of the planned negotiations in particular if the EU model of recognition is to be fully applied in the WB. On the other hand, it creates an uneven level playing filled withregards to technical preparation and capacity of the relevant institutions to conduct the negotiations.

� The pace of change of the European and domestic strategic and legislative frameworks across all three policy areas of the Mobility component of MAP is extremely high. This provides real opportunities for MAP actions to reinforce the individual efforts to modernisetheir research and education systems and contributes significantly to full integration ofthe WB6 into the EU and European frameworks. This also creates additional pressures to ensure that the MAP actions are always fully aligned and up to date with all the developments.

� WB6 need to increase their exposure to EU programmes and initiatives – there are actions intended to facilitate the participation of WB6 in several EU programmes, initiatives and institutions. In relation to the next generation of EU programmes, there are ample opportunities to formulate joint positions and the existing regional fora should be used by the governments. However, to ensure that the full potential of these opportunities is used, a proactive and positive response by EU institutions and other potential partners is essential.

Recommendations and next stepsThis section provides main recommendations and next steps for all objectives under the MAP REA Mobility component. The recommendations repre-sent the next steps needed to implement the Mo-bility component and are aligned with the agreed operationalised work programmes and conclusions of operational Working Groups responsible for the implementation of the MAP Mobility component. The recommendations also take into consideration that the measures foreseen for the reporting period havebeenfulfilled.

Policy: III.1. Mobility of Researchers

Objective: III.1.1. Removal of obstacles to mobility of researchers

� Consider operationalisation of a regional work programme on Mobility of Researchers to ensure the full potential of regional cooperation is utilised to reinforce the continuing domestic efforts.

� Consider preparing a joint Western Balkan positiononthenextgenerationoftheEUFP9programme.

Policy: III.2. Mobility of Professionals

Objective: III.2.1. Removal of obstacles to recognition of professional qualifications

� Complete internal governmental procedures to open negotiations and appoint negotiating teams by 30 June 2018. Inform the RCC Secretary General of their position on opening negotiations and of the composition of their negotiating teams by the 30th of June 2018.

� Following the information on the appointments of the negotiating teams the RCC will convene thefirstmeetingofthenegotiators.

� Following the appointment of the negotiating teams the JWG on MRPQ will seize to exist.

� Ensure technical support of the relevant line DGs (DG GROW) throughout the negotiations.

� Explore possibilities to support institutional capacity building on the relevant EU acquis (the Directiveonprofessionalqualifications)toensuretechnical capacity to conduct the negotiations andreinforceeffortstotransposetheEUacquisat the level of individual economies.

Policy: III.3. Mobility of students and highly-skilled

Objective: III.3.1. Removal of obstacles to recognition of academic qualifications

� Finalise the concept of automatic recognition model for the WB6 by the end of 2018.

� Finalise the concept and launch the joint information system on recognition of academic qualificationsbytheendof2018.

� Continue the joint exercise on recognition of academicqualifications.

� Kick-off the joint exercise on DiplomaSupplement implementation by the end of 2018.

� Ensure technical support of the relevant line DGs (DG EAC) throughout the process to ensure alignment with the EU developments on recognitionofacademicqualifications.

� Explore opportunities for a comprehensive action to support the development of quality assurance systems across WB6 as an underlying condition for fast track and automatic recognitionofacademicqualifications.

1.6 DIGITAL INTEGRATIONOverall state of play/progress The objective of the MAP REA digital agenda-relat-ed actions is to integrate the region into the pan-European digital market on the basis of a future-proof digitisation strategy, an updated regulatory environment, improved broadband infrastructure and access as well as digital literacy. Embracing digital transformation, ensuring greater availability of digital infrastructure, and enabling better regu-latory frameworkand levelplayingfieldcanhelpour region grow, increase the convergence rates with the EU, improve the business environment and encouragecross-borderservices;thusofferingbet-ter life for the citizens.

The Western Balkan Enlargement Strategy puts great emphasis on WB6 Digital Agenda - being one of itsflagships -andreconfirmed interestand in-volvement of EC in implementing this agenda. Moreover, the unprecedented dedication and work of Commissioner Gabriel and EC services has put the WB6 Digital Agenda in focus of EC work, making significantstridesinintegratingWBinEU’scurrentinitiatives and frameworks such as the Western Bal-kans Investment Framework, the Broadband Com-petence Office Network, the Cross-border DigitalInternship Scheme, the Digital Skills and Jobs Coa-lition, EU’s Code week initiative, etc.

The EU-Western Balkan Summit declaration reaf-firmedthe importanceof theWB6DigitalAgendafor the regional integration, having digital agenda includedintheSofiaPriorityAgendaandtheState-ment of support for the Digital Agenda of WB6 en-dorsed by the WB6 Leaders. Moreover, during the WesternBalkansSummitinSofiaEUannouncedfol-low-up actions in the area of connectivity, includ-ing €30 million in technical assistance for digital projects in the region. The Western Balkan Digital Agenda was launched during the Digital Assembly on 25-26 June 2016 to support the digital transfor-mation of the WB6 and prepare the region to inte-grate better into the EU Digital Market.

The MAP REA digital agenda is aligned to a great extent with strategic documents in particular with

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the Economic Reform Programmes, as the key mid-term economic policy coordination documents. However, the EC assessment of ERPs highlights the need for WB6 economies to further focus on digi-tal agenda-related reform measures within ERPs. Some of the WB6 economies have prioritised digi-tal investment projects within their national single project pipelines (NSSPS).

The recently launched OECD Competitiveness Out-look 2018 recognises the positive steps undertaken by WB6 in expanding broadband and increasing access to e-business and e-commerce. Moreover, the analyses show that WB6 rank closely alongside the Central Europe and Baltics (CEB) in the Net-work Readiness Index of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

In addition, Network Readiness Index (NRI)26 for WB6 ranges from the lowest 3.0 points to the high-est 4.4 points in the Global Information Technol-ogy Report 2016; Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) - index 2017 - measured by Serbia is 0.3658, ranking it at 27 place; Cybersecurity Index 201727 shows that Bosnia and Herzegovina is at initiating stage while Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are at ma-turing stage.

The Balkan Barometer 2018 shows that half of the WB6businesscommunityissatisfiedwiththedigi-tal services across WB6 and compared to the last year there is a notable improvement in this con-text. On the contrary, in comparison with 2016 sur-vey results, public satisfaction with social life and accessibility of public services via a digital channel (online services, website, smartphone app) is sig-nificantlylower.For38%ofthepublicacrossWB6the skills needed to be learnt or improved are pri-marily those related to digital/ICT competences.

The 2018 EU Enlargement report underlines that Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Mac-edonia are at moderate level of preparedness in chapter 10 of the EU ac-

26 World Economic Forum – Network Readiness Index measure the performance in leveraging information and communications technologies to boost competitiveness, innovation and well-being, on a scale from 1 to 7 points27 ITU Global Cybersecurity Index 2017

quis with Kosovo* and Bosnia and Herzegovina fol-lowing behind.

TheWB6DigitalSummitwhichtookplaceon18-19April2018, inSkopje - thefirsteverorganised inthisformat–reconfirmedtheexpressedwillingnessand commitment of WB6 to work on a regional digi-talagendaforthebenefitsof itscitizensandtheregion as a whole. The conclusions of the Digital SummitreaffirmedthecommitmentofWB6toworkon: digital skills, trust and security, digital connec-tivity and digital economy and society.

The reporting from WB6 on MAP REA state of im-plementation in the Digital Integration Component shows that WB6 are at a varied level of implemen-tation and preparation in the digital agenda (please seefigure4), lessprepared indevelopingdigitalsskills and more advanced in roaming policy coordi-nation and promotion of the uptake of smart tech-nologies – although the scoring of the later is posi-tivelyaffectedbythesuccessfulcompletionoftheWB6DigitalSummitandfinalisationoftheindustry-led study “The Impact of Digital Transformation on the Western Balkans – Tackling the Challenges to-wards Political Stability and Economic Prosperity” rather than by any more comprehensive digitisation advances in WB6.

The results of the study suggest that the process of digital transformation of societies is growth-en-hancing for WB6. Hence, 10 percent increase in the digitisation index is associated with 0.63 percent of GDP growth; 1 percent increase in the digitisation index corresponds to 0.67 percent and 2.12 percent greater productivity in services and manufacturing; 1 percent digital transformation corresponds to 1.16 percent increase in employment.

Figure 4: Digital Integration - State of Preparedness of MAP REA Implementation in WB6 at the Level of Policies/Objectives

0

01

2

3

4

5

IV.1. Digital environment networks and

services connectivity and access

IV.2. Trustand security indigital services

IV.3. Digitaleconomy

and society

IV.4. Digitaleconomy andsociety, data

economy, standards and interoperability,

innovation

2.5 2.52.0

2.9

WB6 have moderately advanced in harmonising do-mestic legislation with the respective EU acquis in the area of electronic communications, as part of the EU integration agenda. However, the monitor-ing of MAP REA implementation does not asses the level of compliance with the respective EU acquis but only takes note on completion of the legislative process.

The regional deliverables in digital agenda, facili-tated by RCC and jointly agreed by WB6 to be com-pleted prior to the upcoming high-level Summits inSofiaandLondon,aresuccessfullyimplemented(please see Table 4).

Table 4: State of Play of the RCC-facilitated regional deliverables

Deliverables Output indicatorStructured high level regional political dialogue on WB6 digitisation through Annual WB6 Digital Summits based on full WB6 ownership and government-industry collaboration

Western Balkans Digital Summit held in Skopje, on 18-19April2018.

Strengthened cybersecurity capacities and enhanced regional cooperation amongst WB6 CSIRTs

RCC networked the CSIRTs from the Western Balkans and extended capacity building to their representatives. A regional project proposal on cybersecurity capacity building is prioritised in the SEE 2020 Programming Document 2018-2020 and presented in the Fourth Meeting on Donor Coordination.

Commitment to reduce roaming prices (intra WB and WB-EU)

Statement of support for the digital agenda for the Western Balkans endorsed at the occasion of the EU-WB6 Summit: “WB Leaders have agreed to support and facilitate the processes of lowering the roaming costs for the full coverage of consumers in the Western Balkans region”and“To support the implementation of a roadmap to facilitate lowering the costs of roaming, between the Western Balkans and the European Union” RCC commissioned Study to assess the impact of lowering roaming prices

Western Balkans is integrated in EU programmes and initiatives

Technical assistance for digital projects within WBIF

Western Balkans is integrated in Broadband CompetenceOffice,digitalcross-bordertraineeshipinitiative, EU’s Code week initiative;

At theEU-WBSummit inSofiaEUannounced€30million in technical assistance for digital projects, including broadband within WEBIF/IPA

Annual ICT regulatory dialogue WB6-EC launched First meeting of Western Balkan Regulators and BEREC was held on 15 June 2018

Digital Agenda for Western Balkans Launched on 25 June 2018 during the Digital Assembly

Scaled-up regional interventions on digital literacy and skills

To be announced during the London Summit

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State of implementation at objective levelPolicy IV.1. Digital environment networks and services, connectivity and access

Objective IV.1.1. Boost digital infrastructure development and regional connectivity, while creating a level playing field for digital networks and services to flourishThe progress in transposing the EU Broadband Cost Reduction Directive is uneven; Albania and The For-mer Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have already transposed it while the other three economies are at preparation stage. Montenegro plans to advance with the transposition during 2018 and adopt it by 2019,Kosovo*haspreparedafirstdraftandTAIEXmission is foreseen to be held during 2018 to sup-port with the screening and Serbia is at preparation phase.

The preparation of the broadband infrastructure mapping is ongoing in all economies. Albania is in the process of updating the atlas of broadband in-frastructure; Montenegro started the process of mapping and advancement is expected in 2018; Serbiacompletedthemobilemappingandthefixedbroadband mapping, as part of the new Law on Elec-tronic Communications, currently in the process of adoption; Kosovo* extended the broadband infra-structure – 4 pilot projects launched and contracts signed - 3 additional pilots expected to be launched by mid-2018 and Electronic Atlas on Broadband Tel-ecommunication Infrastructure is in the process of updating; in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Mac-edonia, the National Operational Broadband Plan is expected to be completed during 2018 and the mapping of current NGA infrastructure and identi-fying the areas for intervention (white zones) are finalised.Thereisgoodprospectforthebroadbandmapping to have mature advancement during 2018 in all WB6 economies although the action is to be completed by 2020.

Digital connectivity necessitates outstanding capi-tal investment in broadband, both from the national budgets as well as from private investors. There are someeffortsunderwayinAlbaniaandSerbiatoas-sess overall capital investment needs in broadband infrastructure while in The Former Yugoslav Repub-lic of Macedonia the efforts are concentrated onassessing future public investment in areas where no commercial interest exists (so-called white are-as). Moreover, digital has become an eligible sector for WBIF funding as of its last Steering Committee

meeting,withthefirstdigitalapplicationendorsedat the WBIF SC meeting in June 2018. The EU an-nounced EUR 30 million support to develop digital projects, including broadband.

The regional dialogue and exchange on business and PPP models to address low connectivity and commercialisationofthesparefibreopticassetsisat an early stage. On the annual International Regu-latory Conference 201828 dialogue for strengthening cooperation amongst the regulatory authorities in the region related to the latest developments in the ICT sector and boosting broadband access was established. Although there are developments in each economy in this regard, there is a need to fur-ther improve regional cooperation to share experi-ence and similarities amongst the WB6 economies. In Serbia, the EBRD-led project launched in 2016 will support identificationofcostneeded for fur-ther broadband development – including potential business/financing models for development. TheFormer Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia intends to establish BCO to improve broadband connectivity in rural areas. In addition, the economy-level intra-sectoral dialogue has been established, especially in view of the ongoing World Bank’s study. Mapping ofpotentialspareopticfibreinalmostallecono-mies has been undertaken and awareness on the need to optimise their use has increased. There is a need though to establish a proper regional dia-logue upon the completion of the World Bank study, which should provide information and identify com-mercialmodels for addressing sparefibre capaci-ties.

Four out of six regulators from WB6 have an ob-server status to BEREC and their dialogue within the context of BEREC is improving. There is a need thoughtodefinepropermechanismsforBosniaandHerzegovina and Kosovo* to become associated in this dialogue. Ways to strengthen the regional di-alogue amongst WB6 regulators as part of BEREC need to be explored and further strengthened. The firstBEREC-WesternBalkanmeetingwasheldinthemargins of the BEREC plenary session on 15 June 2018 discussing the possible cooperation between BEREC, EU National Regulatory Authorities and WB National Regulatory Authorities. The first meet-ing focused on regulatory issues and may lead to follow-up activities aiming to share knowledge, ex-pertise and the best practice.

28 http://www.aec.mk/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2247&Itemid=465&lang=mk - organised by The Former Yugoslav Republic of Republic of Macedonia, on 15-16 of May 2018

The regional interconnection and integration into pan-European GÉANT is not complete - Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo* are not integrated in GÉ-ANT yet while in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia only one university is integrated in the network - two more state universities are to be connected through MARNET to GÉANT in 2018. Al-though regional interconnection and integration is to be completed by 2023, advancement/improve-ment can be reached through regional actions. To this end, a proposal on cross-border connectivity of WB NRENs is prioritised in the SEE2020 Program-ming Document 2018-2020 – to be further devel-oped should assistance be secured.

Objective IV.1.2. Harmonise spectrum policy to ensure timely and efficient availability and boost deployment of standardised 5G networksWB6 economies are at an uneven level of prepara-tion in spectrum policy harmonisation. Regulatory and institutional frameworks that provide for ef-ficientoverallspectrummanagementareinplaceacross the region – with uneven development in freeing up frequencies. Albania, Bosnia and Her-zegovina and Kosovo* have not completed the DSO process; in Albania, it is expected that 70% of the population will be covered with digital service by mid-2018; in Montenegro -700 MHz is free and available for mobile radio communication service; in Kosovo*, the tendering to allow the use of cur-rently unused mobile spectrum is underway.

Broader coordination on radio spectrum issues takes place within RSPG regional group, SEDDIF as wellaswithinWRC-19preparatoryprocess.Amul-tilateral framework agreement between all SEDDIF members (with the exception of Albania) is already signed in December 2017. Initial regional dialogue on spectrum policy harmonisation took place at the Western Balkans Roaming Policy Meeting, held in April 2018 in Brussels. Good progress is being made in 5G in Montenegro – speeds for 5G prepared and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – sec-ondary legislation to implement 5G technology prepared. Upon request from Albania, a dedicated meeting on spectrum policy harmonisation and WB6 readiness for 5G networks was held on 12 June 2018 in Prague, back-to-back with ITU Regional Develop-ment Forum for Europe.

On World Radio Conference (WRC) participation and cooperation, economies participate indepen-dently in WRC’s work. Kosovo*, not part of WRC, has expressed interest to participate in its work

and other regional groups related to spectrum policy management. Yet, no regional discussion has started on having potential regional positions on aspects of joint interest on WRC, CEPT/ECO. WB6 part-took for thefirst timeat theCOM-ITU/CEPTMeeting, held in Prague on 12 June 2018.

Objective IV. 1.3. Coordinate roaming policies towards a roaming free economic areaGood progress is being made in harmonising region-al roaming policies. Regional Roaming Agreement amongst 4 economies (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and The Former Yugoslav Re-public of Macedonia) is successfully implemented29. The WB6 Roaming Policy meeting held in Brussels on 5th April 2018 underlined the trends in the 4 participating economies, highlighting the need to focus more on data rather than voice. Moreover, theWB6confirmedtheirwillingnesstoextendthescope of the agreement and work on a new succes-sor agreement, potentially with provisions of RLAH within WB6. Experience of EU in particular for RLAH model will be further explored and used. Al-bania and Kosovo* have expressed their willingness to join RRA and official letters to inform other 4economies are submitted. Technical and procedural consultations will follow in this regard. Moreover, WB6 have committed to support and facilitate the processes of lowering the roaming costs for the full coverage of consumers in the Western Balkans re-gion and implementation of a roadmap to facilitate lowering the costs of roaming between the Western Balkans and the European Union30.

WB6 economies discuss coordination of roaming policy in regular regional meetings and there is an expressed willingness and need to continue this di-alogue, in the future, with the help and facilitation of RCC and EU.

RCC has commissioned a study to assess the impact of abolishment of roaming charges with the EU, with theconsultancyprocurementfinalisedandthefirstfindingsand resultsalreadyprepared.ARoadmapto facilitate lowering the costs of roaming, based on voluntary commercial agreement and made in an inclusive approach, as part of the Enlargement Strategy’s WB6 Digital Agenda will be prepared by

29Thewholesaleandretailpriceswerereducedatthelevelof Roaming III Regulation (i.e. Regulation (EU) No 531/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2012 on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union Text with EEA relevance)30 The Statement of support for the digital agenda for the Western Balkans endorsed at the occasion of the EU-WB6 Summit

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EC. There are series of roundtables and discussions organised by Commissioner Gabriel with the opera-tors to support the process of roadmap preparation. The Digital Agenda for Western Balkans, launched on 25 June 2018, will cover lowering the cost of roaming, deployment of broadband, development of e-Government, e-Procurement, e-Health, and digital skills, capacity building in digital trust and security, inparalleltoeffortstoenhancedigitali-sation of industries, adoption, implementation and enforcementoftheacquis(seealsothefigurebe-low).

Policy IV.2. Trust and security in digital services

Objective IV.2.1. Enhance Cyber Security, trust services and data protectionThe WB6 economies have adopted relevant policies and legislation for privacy (Directive (2002/58/EC), data protection and digital security. Albania, Ko-sovo*, Montenegro and Serbia have adopted dedi-cated cybersecurity strategies while The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is at final stagesof approval. No uniform progress in implementa-tion of the strategies amongst WB6 is noted. The EU Network and Information Security Directive (NIS) is transposed in Albania and Serbia. Montenegro partially implemented NIS Directive31 whilst other economies are in process of preparation and/or in public consultation phase. WB6 lacks the capaci-ties to implement the requirements of Annex 1 of the NIS Directive, thus a proposal on capacity build-

31 CSIRT Team was established, Law on Information Security has been adopted, critical information infrastructure was definedandtwocybersecuritystrategieshavebeenadopted,1st 2013-2017, 2nd 2018-2021

ing in the area of cybersecurity is prioritised in the SEE2020 Programming Document 2018-2020.

Process of critical IT infrastructure identificationand the respective legislative approval is ongoing: Albania and Kosovo* already adopted the legisla-tive acts on critical IT infrastructure; Serbia has identified and adopted the list of ICT systems ofparticular importance for the public interest, and adopted and implemented internal procedures to reportsignificantincidents;inTheFormerYugoslavRepublic of Macedonia many of the critical infra-structure operators were identified, but there isno official decision on identification of critical ITinfrastructure; and in Montenegro the Methodology and its Action Plan for selecting critical informa-tion infrastructure have been adopted - critical sectors and services as well as critical information systemsweredefined,theDecreeonmeasuresforthe protection of critical information infrastructure in accordance with the Amendments to the Law on Information Security is to be adopted in the third quarter of 2018. There is no explicit input from the economies on the level of protection of critical IT infrastructure.

All WB6 have established Computer Security In-cident Response Teams (CSIRTs). Although under-developed and lacking capacity, CSIRTs from WB6 haveparticipatedindifferentbilateralorregionalevents in the area of cybersecurity. CSIRT from The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has signed memorandums of understanding with the CSIRTs from Kosovo* and Albania and regarding other gov-ernment CSIRTs from WB economies the signing of MoUs is ongoing. Albania is also working on having MoUs with other CSIRTs.

RCC networked the CSIRTs from the Western Bal-kans and provided capacity building to their rep-resentatives. The discussion in this regional format will continue and the discussion will be further for-malised through the establishment of permanent groups in the area of cybersecurity with members from ICT ministries and Regulators. A Regional Con-ference of CSIRTs proposed by The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is to be organised in Octo-ber 2018, during the European Cybersecurity month and will gather representatives and heads of all the CSIRTs from the broader region, including all WB6 economies.

Following on the WB6 Digital Summit conclusions, RCC has recently established communication with ENISAinanefforttofacilitateWB6participationinENISA activities.

FOCUS AREAS OF THEDIGITAL AGENDA FORWESTERN BALKANS

LOWERINGROAMING CHARGES

CONNECTIVITY

CYBERSECURITY, TRUSTAND DIGITALISATION OFINDUSTRY

DIGITAL ECONOMY &SOCIETY

RESEARCH &INNOVATION

Policy IV.3. Digital economy and society, Inclusive digital society

Objective IV.3.1. Develop and strengthen supply of digital skills

The need to address digital skills development is commonly recognised by WB6. The digital economy allows and encourages remote work and it opens up a world of opportunities for young people, wom-en and disadvantaged groups and the society as awhole.Theeffortshouldbefocusedto identifyskills necessary for government leaders, civil serv-ants, and other citizens, especially women, youth and disadvantaged groups and private sector to ac-quire digital economy competencies.

The progress in developing digital skills across WB6 is uneven although some attempts to develop digi-tal skills programmes exist. Hence, Serbia is at the finalstageofapprovaloftheDigitalSkillDevelop-ment Strategy and the Action Plan for IT Industry Development is approved; Kosovo* has undertaken a study on digital skills with the support of the World Bank aiming to develop a programme focus-ing on young people; Albania has addressed digital skills as part the Strategy for Secondary Education. In The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, National Comprehensive Education Strategy 2018-2025 was adopted in January 2018, where one of the priorities is ensuring widespread use of ICT in education, training and digital literacy at all lev-els (i.e. pre-school, primary education, secondary education, vocational education and trainings, uni-versity, etc.) and a new Law on Mathematics and Information Gymnasium was adopted in April 2018. A proposal on digital skills and competences is pri-oritised within the SEE2020 Programming Document 2018-2020. WB6 Digital Summit also recognised the need to work on digital skills programmes - reaf-firmingtheinteresttowardsintegrationwithintheEU Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition, by endorsing the objectives and principles of the Coalition.

Some of the economies have invested efforts intraining and increase of knowledge in digital skill for targeted groups. In Kosovo*, Ministry of Eco-nomic Development supported by the World Bank implemented the project Women in Online Work (WoW) – trainings were carried out for unemployed and under-employed young women in 5 munici-palities, and additional trainings are carried out through the support of USAID and Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, with plans of the Government to scale up the work; Serbia is at an advanced stage of preparing a dedicated Digital Skills Strategy; The

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is prepar-ingaNationalICTStrategy–roadmaptobefinal-ised in August 2018 and the draft of the strategy by December 2018 – and has conducted trainings for basic IT skills and advanced IT skills for the unem-ployed.

There are also mature projects targeting digital skills to be implemented in some economies: in Ko-sovo* a 3 MEUR EU IPA 2017 project is being rolled out to develop capacities for digital economy and support for digital businesses; in The Former Yugo-slav Republic of Macedonia trainings for advanced IT skillsunderIPAprojectsareongoing-thefirstcen-tre in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the region, HubIT, under USAID Social Inclusion Project,wasopenedinSkopje,offeringservicestoyoung people with disabilities and enabling them to start careers in the IT sector; in Serbia the Gov-ernmentoffersincentivestoNGOsprovidingdigitalupskilling for women – as part of the IT Industry De-velopment Strategy and is funding projects to train retireesinICTduringthefirsthalfof2018.Finally,the World Bank is currently mobilising resources to implement a WB6 wide project dealing with digital skills and scaled-up regional interventions in digital literacy and skills to be launched during the London Summit.

Policy IV.4. Digitization, Data economy, Standards and Interoperability, Innovation

Objective IV.4.1. Promote uptake of Smart Technologies and Accelerate DigitizationThe WB6 High-level Digital Summit organised on 18-19April2018, inSkopje-thefirstever inthisformat–reconfirmedwillingnessandcommitmentof WB6 to work on a regional digital agenda for the benefitofitscitizensandeconomies.ThisSummitestablished a structured high-level regional politi-cal dialogue on WB6 digitisation - based on full WB6 ownership and government-industry collaboration and reconfirmed the commitment to engage in apermanent dialogue in this area. Prominent speak-ers from the region, EU institutions, international organisations, academia, civil society and success-fulbusinessesofferedagreatplatformfordiscus-sion on all aspects of digital transformation of the WB6 and underlined the challenges ahead. Through the Digital Summit conclusions, the WB6 commit-ted to work on digital skills, trust and security, digi-tal connectivity and digital economy and society. The next Digital Summit will be held in Serbia and RCC will support its co-organisation.

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The industry-led study The Impact of Digital Trans-formation on the Western Balkans –Tackling the Challenges towards Political Stability and Economic Prosperity was presented during the WB6 Digital Summit. The extent to which the study’s recom-mendations will be translated in domestic policies or regional actions will be discussed within regional mechanisms.

With respect to Data Economy, except for Koso-vo*, all WB6 economies are members of the Open Government Partnership initiative. Discussion on regional coordination on OPG can be further pro-moted through regional mechanism, such as the e-Government Working Group operating under ReS-PA’s auspices, with a view of jointly formulating fu-ture activities in areas that include e-Government/Open Government/Open Data, and e-Participation.

Currently, all WB6 economies have established forms of central portals for open data and regular updates of data are carried out. The data in the upgraded central open data portal of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia can be exchanged with the Central Europe open data portal and may be available to any interested WB6 economy; in Al-baniathecentralportaloffers550onlineservicesto businesses and citizens, a policy on open data is adopted in February 2018 and a special agency on open dialogue established during 2017; Kosovo* has already established a central portal that aims to improve public services and increase public integri-ty. No regional dialogue exists as of yet on potential regional exchange of data.

All WB6 economies have adopted e-authentica-tion frameworks and made progress in improving their e-authentication schemes. In addition, WB6 economies have different level of harmonisationof domestic legislation with eIDAS regulation, with Albania, Serbia and Montenegro having already transposed eIDAS in new laws, and in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia the new draft law is in the process of public consultation. E-govern-ment services are gradually being aligned with the National Interoperability Frameworks which are functional in Albania, The Former Yugoslav Repub-lic of Macedonia, recently approved in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to a certain extent in Serbia where e-government services are not yet deployed on the e-NIF framework. A regional project intervention onthecross-borderrecognitionofthecertificateswith e-signature is jointly prioritised by WB6 in the SEE 2020 Programming Document 2018-2020.

Across the region there are several digital hubs and innovation parks. Most have been developed with

donor funding (including EU, the World Bank, GIZ, USAID and other bilateral donors), private sector funding, or both. The pan-European network of Dig-ital Innovation Hubs Catalogue Project lists around 20 hubs from the region and provides opportunities for cooperation, as do Horizon 2020 and EU Ter-ritorial and Cross-border Programmes. The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has a Fund for Inno-vation and Technology Development for supporting innovative projects; feasibility study for establish-ment of Science and Technology Park in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has started. Addi-tionally, the project innovation ecosystem in the cross-border area has commenced as part of the IPA 2 Cross-Border Programme between The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania. Ser-bia has also set up an innovation fund while other economieshavestartedintroducingdifferentinno-vation voucher schemes on a smaller scale.

Obstacles and challenges The implementation of the digital component of theMAPREAencountersdifficultiesandrisksthatneed to be addressed both at domestic and region-al level. The main challenges relate to capacity of public administration to comply with this demand-ing agenda, availability of technical assistance to implement many of the actions put forward in MAP REA and capital investment mainly for broadband infrastructure.

The challenges in implementing digital integration component measures entail:

� The level of harmonisation of the legislation with the respective EU acquis is uneven across WB6aseconomiesareatdifferentstagesofEUintegration process, associated with differentdynamics of the legislative harmonisation process. This may in certain areas collide with the need to have regional positions or regional actions and therefore due attention should be given.

� Administrative capacities and capacity of the domestic structures are not at the level necessary to successfully implement some of the measures. Strengthening the capacities of the structures across all areas of the digital agenda is jointly recognised by the WB6 economies. In particular, in the area of cybersecurity (i.e. WB6 CSIRTS), WB6 digitisation (i.e. agencies dealing with open data, e-services and e-government) require dedicated capacity building programmes to ensure effective implementation of theactions put in MAP REA.

� General level of knowledge and skills in the area of digital integration needs to be increased. Although MAP REA anticipates regional training programmes for several target groups, namely citizens, IT specialists, women and people from disadvantaged groups, etc. a holistic approach to digital skills and competences is needed. Private sector and government digital skills needs should also be addressed and tailor-made training programmes need to be prepared.

� Having regional positions in many areas of the WB6 digital agenda is essential. This is particularly important in the area of cybersecurity, where the impact across the region will be high, and in spectrum policy coordination. There is no specific mechanism or instrument to achievethisandthereforeadditionaleffortsshouldbeinvested to explore prospective regional tools to be used in this respect.

� WB6 needs to increase its exposure to EU programmes and initiatives – there are actions intended to facilitate the participation of WB6 in several EU programmes, initiatives and institutions. It is unclear how this can be achieved as it involves a broader group of economies than just the WB6. This also necessitates a proactive and positive response by EU institutions and other potential partners involved.

Recommendations and next stepsThis section provides in a blueprint the main rec-ommendations and next steps for all objectives un-der the Digital Integration Component. The recom-mendationsintendtoofferasolutiontothemainfindings and/or needs anticipated in the state ofimplementation section.

IV.1. Digital environment networks and services, connectivity and accessIV.1.1. Boost digital infrastructure development and regional connectivity, while creating a level playing field for digital networks and services to flourish

� Advance with the transposition of EU Directive 2014/61/EU in all WB6 and complete the broadband infrastructure mapping.

� Launch the regional dialogue on business incentive models and PPPs to address low connectivity. Organise a regional workshop during the second half of 2018.

� Participate in the new EU Broadband CompetenceOffice(BCO)Networkinitiativeandestablish BCOs.

� Intensify the regulatory dialogue amongst all WB6 regulators and intensify the launched WB6-EC regulatory dialogue.

� Complete regional interconnection and integration into the pan-European GÉANT.

� Utilise the available technical assistance in relation to digital connectivity projects, including broadband infrastructure mapping, zoning and identification of most suitablebusiness models or through WBIF.

IV.1.2. Harmonise spectrum policy to ensure timely and efficient availability and boost de-ployment of standardised 5G networks

� Finalise DSO in the whole region, i.e. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo*.

� Improve regional cooperation on spectrum coordination with a view to address spectrum coordination needs in WB6.

� Launch regional discussion amongst regulators ahead of ECO, CEPT meetings as well as before WRCs to align regional positions for issues of joint interest.

IV. 1.3. Coordinate roaming policies towards a roaming free economic area

� Continue the processes of lowering the roaming costs for the full coverage of consumers in the Western Balkans region.

� Support the implementation of a roadmap to facilitate lowering the costs of roaming, between the Western Balkans and the European Union.

IV.2.Trust and security in digital servicesIV.2.1. Enhance Cybersecurity, trust services and data protection

� Complete the transposition of the EU Directive 2016/1148/EU.

� Complete the identification of the critical ITinfrastructures and seek technical assistance to support the WB6 economies in implementing the requirements of Annex of the EU NIS Directive.

� Build CSIRTs capacity and strengthen the regional CSIRT network, as well as promote regional cooperation on NIS dialogue and information exchange amongst WB6 CSIRTs.

� Organise the Regional Conference of CSIRTs with a view to share experience amongst WB6 CSIRTs and other advanced CSIRTs from EU or other partners.

42 43


� Establish cooperation with ENISA including on NIS alignment process and preparation of cybersecurity strategies.

� Establish forms of cooperation to ensure transfer of knowledge amongst WB6 economies and coordination with partners/organisations active in the area of cybersecurity.

IV.3. Digital economy and society, Inclusive digital societyIV.3.1. Develop and strengthen supply of digital skills

� Engage in regional discussion to define waysin developing digital skills; pilot a regional intervention aimed at enhancing basic digital skills for citizens to engage online; support the WB6 to implement the EU Digital Competence Framework.

� Pilot a regional intervention aimed at enhancing skills for IT specialists and IT skills for government officials.

� Scale up pilots already implemented in the region such as WoW, aiming to mobilise and upskill youth, women, and people with disabilities.

� Scale up the British Council’s pilot project on digital literacy and skills.

� Explore ways how to better integrate WB6 economies in the EU New Skills Agenda for Europe and the EU Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition initiative.

IV.4. Digitisation, Data economy, Standards and Interoperability, InnovationIV.4.1. Promote uptake of Smart Technologies and Accelerate Digitisation

� Advance with the preparations of the National Interoperability Frameworks in the economies that have not done it so far. Exchange experience and ensure peer-to-peer learning from advanced economies.

� Coordinate regional activities on interoperability standards and facilitate alignment of standards, complementarity of interoperability frameworks and introduce a pan-European dimension, in line with the European Interoperability Framework (EIF).

� Involve private sector to assess the multi-faceted benefits of the online platforms andonline services.

� Launch a structured dialogue amongst the appropriate regional authorities responsible

for harmonisation and implementation of legislation with eIDAS regulation.

� Launch a structured dialogue amongst the appropriate regional authorities to standardise and improve the quality of open data portals and explore potentials to regionally exchange of available data.

� Start preparations to organise the up-coming WB6 Digital Summit in Belgrade. Re-convene the Steering Committee meeting to contribute to an early and structured multi-stakeholder dialogue in this respect.

Conclusions and recommendationsThe MAP REA implementation is an ambitious en-deavour and a credible monitoring and reporting function is essential, both in demonstrating the progress being made, as well as in maintaining the momentum across WB6.

MAP REA actions are increasingly internalised in domestic strategic documents and implementa-tion is in progress. While political commitment is present, the complexity of MAP REA necessitates strong cooperation between MAP Coordinators and Component Contact Points and line ministries, and efficient intra-governmental coordination. This isnot always the case – this report does not include inputs from all WB6.

The Western Balkans Enlargement Strategy rec-ognised the importance of the Regional Economic Area, putting it in the core of the EU accession pro-cess. The Enlargement Strategy’s Action Plan em-beds a considerable number of MAP REA measures. Thus, pro-active involvement, advice and guidance of line DGs and DEUs in the implementation of MAP REA will be needed. Furthermore, technical assis-tance, capacity building and direct implementation support extended through EU-funded actions will be instrumental in achieving MAP REA goals. The Declaration made at the Western Balkans Summit inSofiaon17May2018callsforurgentactiontoimplement the Multi-annual Action Plan for the Development of a Regional Economic Area and an-nouncesthecontinuedEUsupportintheeffortsin-vested by Western Balkans. Moreover, the Vienna Economy Ministerial meeting and London Summit are also expected to take stock of progress on REA andreaffirmfuturecommitmentstowardsfullim-plementation of REA Roadmap.

Several actions planned under MAP REA are sched-uled to begin implementation at a later date, or their start is dependent on other processes, out-

side of the scope of MAP REA. This depreciates the overall scores as well and it should be taken into consideration when assessing the level of progress made by the WB6 economies so far.

Coordination at economy level needs to be im-proved, so as to ensure adequate representation at theregionalplatformsandeffectivechainofdeci-sion making, which is to contribute to more success-ful implementation of the agreed measures on the individual economy level and consequently regional level. Moreover, where needed, experts should be properly mandated to ensure decision making.

Regional investment reform agenda has been adopted with the next step of translating it into na-tional action plans. The South East Europe Invest-ment Committee (SEEIC) will continue to be the main platform for supporting the regional invest-ment reform agenda, nevertheless economies still need to establish focus groups on the domestic lev-el which will discuss and steer proposed concrete policy reforms. The capacities of the relevant insti-tutions should be increased especially when talking about Investment Promotion Agencies, both human andfinancial.WesternBalkaneconomieswillhavetoagreeonspecificsectorstheywanttopromoteinternationally and work jointly towards develop-ment of Joint Investment Promotion Initiative with the aim of promoting WB6 as a single investment destination. What is evident in most of the econo-mies is that investment laws are in place, but what is missing is adequate implementation. There is ev-identneedforfurthersupportofdiversificationoffinancialmarkets,particularlycapitalmarketsanddevelopment of alternative financing instrumentsin all economies. Needs assessment should be car-ried out for development of a regional strategy for capital markets development.

The Western Balkan Enlargement Strategy empha-sised the need to ensure full integration of the WB6 into the European Research Area and the European Higher Education Area to ensure integration of the students, researchers and academics into the exist-ing European networks providing additional impe-tus to the Mobility component of MAP.

The Mobility agenda has seen dynamic progress, in particular in reaching the key milestone in re-moving obstacles to recognition of professional and academicqualifications.Theseeffortsareparticu-larly timely as the European Higher Education Area Ministerial Conference reinforced the importance of recognition of academic qualifications and asthe EU is preparing a Communication of Recogni-tionofAcademicQualificationstobeendorsedby

the EU Council during the Austrian Presidency of theEU.Furthermore,theSofiaDeclarationoftheEU – Western Balkans Summit calls for stepping up workonrecognitionofqualifications.

Further implementation will require increased ad-ministrative capacities of the authorities involved in the two processes. To support the implementa-tion, technical assistance to build further the insti-tutional capacities of the relevant authorities will be needed. However, more importantly, the two processes open possibilities to support synergies with the European processes, domestic efforts totranspose the relevant EU acquis and to integrate further into existing European institutions. To en-able the positives overspills and release the poten-tial of themultiplying effects contained in thesetwoagendasitisessentialtoensureadditionalfi-nancial resources and technical assistance of the line DGs, in particular DG GROW and DG EAC.

Therecognitionagendaprofitedfromtheexistingoperationalised work plans, a similar joint work plan is missing in the agenda on the Mobility of Re-searchers. This is partly due to the nature of the actions, which are predominantly in the domain of eacheconomy.However,benefits couldbedrawnfrom a joint work plan which would support further the domestic efforts. The potential to influencethe next generation of EU programmes for the WB6 should not be missed. The joint activities and the existing regional cooperation for R&D would enable aneffectivepreparationofjointpositionsifthere-gion wished to do so.

The Digital Integration Component envisages a regional approach to the Digital Agenda for WB6 economies, reinforced further by the Enlarge-ment Strategy and its flagship, to support digitalinfrastructure development and improved regional connectivity, harmonised spectrum policies, coor-dinated roaming policies, enhanced cybersecurity, trust services and data protection, and cooperation in policies that stimulate the data economy. WB6 record a mixed level of preparedness in the digi-tal integration. The EU reports 2018 underline that Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and The Former Yugo-slav Republic of Macedonia are at a moderate level of preparation in digital agenda while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo* are lagging a bit behind. The reporting from WB6 on MAP REA state of im-plementation in the Digital Integration Component shows that WB6 are at a varied level of implemen-tation and preparation in the digital agenda, less prepared in developing digitals skills and more ad-vanced in roaming policy coordination and promo-tion of the uptake of smart technologies.

44 45


WB6 have implemented all regional RCC facili-tated deliverables in digital integration. Hence, WB6DigitalSummitheld inSkopjeon18-19April2018, co-organised by RCC, reconfirmed politicalcommitment to work on a regional digital agenda. Moreover, a structured high-level regional political dialogue on digitisation is established, based on full WB ownership and government-industry col-laboration; Regional Roaming Agreement has been successfully implemented leading to substantial decrease of the roaming prices and WB6 have ex-pressed the commitment to continue the processes of lowering the roaming costs for the full coverage of consumers in the Western Balkans region. This effortwillbecomplementarytotheEU-ledeffortson Roadmap for lowering roaming costs between Western Balkans and EU.; cybersecurity capacities have been strengthened and regional cooperation amongst WB6 CSIRTs enhanced through the estab-lished network of CSIRTs from the Western Balkans.

Finally, the monitoring of the MAP REA implementa-tion poses particular challenges listed as follows:

i. Measures that are continuous in nature are not action oriented or where tangible outputs are difficult to define or quantifyrequire a more systematic effort withinthe regional structures to properly defineintermediary measures and milestones, to articulate the desired outputs, as well as to identify the outcomes and impact, within a coherent logical framework. Moreover, these measures are not properly reported from the economies nor adequately scored, as the progress assessment for these meas-ures is usually “on-going”. To this end, regional mechanism should address the concerntofindfeasibleandappropriateso-lutions;

ii. Non-actionable measures need further de-tailing – many of the measures put forward by MAP REA require additional activities/milestones/steps in order for the action to be implemented. For example – “Coor-dinate regional positions….”; “Initiate re-gional cooperation…”; “Foster cooperation ….”, etc. There is a need for these types of actions to be further detailed;

iii. Reporting from the economies does not re-late in full and directly to the implemen-tation of MAP REA measures (i.e. activities and steps undertaken from July 2017) but it ratheroffersthestateofplayunderallactions. This does not allow monitoring the

progressandriskstoreplicatethefindingsof the MAP REA Stock Taking and Needs As-sessment Report. The reporting from the WB6 economies should be improved to al-low monitoring of progress, and RCC will work with MAP NCs and MAP CCPs to assist in providing further details/methodologies to streamline the inputs;

iv. Limited availability of technical assistance – almost all measures of MAP REA, except for some of the measures in the Investment Component, require technical assistance for successful implementation. RCC facilitated theprocessofidentificationoftheregionaltechnical assistance needs, preceded by a self-identificationofneedsfromeachWB6economy and validated through the consul-tation processes in all WB6 during February 2018. This has been further digested and systematised into practical regional inter-ventions projects included in the SEE2020 Programming Document 2018-2020 and pre-sented during the Fourth Meeting on Donor Coordination. Regional interventions can be further developed should the financial as-sistance be secured;

v. Use of existing funds – for some of the iden-tifiedneeds,inparticularcapacitybuildingon all MAP REA components, the existing TAIEX instrument could be more proactively used, especially in terms of outlining a pre-dictable pipeline of capacity building ac-tivities.

vi. Scores at the level of objectives are cal-culated as simple averages of all meas-ures-level scores within a given objective. Hence, in objectives where the progress of each measure therein varies the approach used for the scoring may create mispercep-tions in regard to the implementation sta-tusofaspecificmeasure.

ANN

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cilit

atio

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de b

etw

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CEFT

A Pa

rtie

s

2017

-201

8Th

e CE

FTAStructuresareavaila

bletoprovide

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officialplat-

form

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top

ic in

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upc

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con

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plia

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on

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sele

cted

sup

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chai

n2018-2019

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bletoprovide

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for

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upc

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d. A

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tent

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to

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nd M

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up-

ply

chai

ns w

ith

regi

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inte

rest

2019-2020

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upc

omin

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Obj

ecti

ves

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ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

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at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.I.

2. H

arm

onis

atio

n of

CEF

TA M

arke

ts w

ith

the

EUI.

2.1.

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suri

ng

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appl

ica-

tion

of

SAP+

an

d Fu

ll Cu

mul

atio

n

a. S

usta

inin

g un

inte

rrup

ted

appl

icat

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of S

AP +

2017

-201

8CE

FTA

Part

ies

regu

larl

y at

tend

the

PEM

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ings

and

em

phas

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ce o

f un

inte

rrup

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impl

emen

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of

SAP+

cum

ulat

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4

b. S

tart

of A

pplic

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l cum

ulat

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and

duty

dra

wba

ck in

CEF

TA2019-2019

1July2019ad

optedby

the

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startof

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emen

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f fu

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mul

atio

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ty d

raw

back

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I.2.

2.

Pote

ntia

l ap

prox

i-m

atio

n of

CE

FTA

MFN

to

EU

CET

a. Im

pact

ass

essm

ent

of a

ppro

xim

atio

n of

CEF

TA

MFN

rateswiththeEU

Com

mon

Externa

lTariff

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e pr

epar

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evan

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twee

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mpe

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and

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id M

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hori

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men

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or in

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chan

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etw

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peti

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te A

id

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orit

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2019-2020

The CE


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and

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mes

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The

legi

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or s

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1

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nhan

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18-2

023

TheCE


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upc

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I.3.

2.

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inat

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and

rem

ain-

ing

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crim

inat

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prac

tice

s in

pu

blic

pro

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ent

mar

kets

a. M

onit

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imin

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aini

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inat

ory

prac

tice

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pub

lic p

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ent

mar

kets

20

17-2

018

The resultsofthe

CEF

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nced

projectform

onitoringthe

publ

ic p

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rem

ent

will

be

avai

labl

e so

on.

4

48 49


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

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egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.I.

3.3.

Sy

stem

ic

Mon

itor

ing

of N

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in t

rade

in

good

s an

d se

rvic

es

a. E

mpl

oyin

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terr

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mon

itor

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and

enfo

rce-

men

t m

echa

nism

s to

elim

inat

e an

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mai

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N

TBs

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-202

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e CE

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ket

Acce

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ilita

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ser

vice

s

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e-m

enta

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of

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Add

itio

nal

Prot

ocol

6

on T

rade

in

Serv

ices

a. A

dopt

ion

of t

he A

ddit

iona

l Pro

toco

l 6 b

y ne

go-

tiat

ing

Part

ies

2017

-201

8Ad

diti

onal

Pro

toco

l 6 a

wai

ts a

dopt

ion

by t

he C

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nt C

om-

mit

tee

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tex

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agr

eed,

den

omin

atio

n is

sue

to b

e so

lved

)1

b. E

nsur

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tim

ely

entr

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to f

orce

of A

ddit

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otoc

ol 6

2018-2019

Ratific

ation ofthe

AP6

ispen

dingado

ptionby

JC

1

c. D

evel

opm

ent

of t

he s

usta

inab

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echa

nism

fo

r m

onit

orin

g tr

ade

in s

ervi

ces

polic

ies,

incl

ud-

ing

scre

enin

g of

legi

slat

ion

and

map

ping

of

pro-

jectsan

destablishm

entofthe

efficien

tdispute

sett

lem

ent

mec

hani

sm

2017-2019

CEFTAStatisticalP

ortalsetup,in

dicatorsdefi

nedan

dap

proved

2

d. E

stab

lishm

ent

of t

he c

onta

ct p

oint

for

ser

-vi

ces

2018-2019

Conc

ept

on c

onta

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oint

s fo

r se

rvic

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nder

pre

para

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e. E

stab

lishm

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nten

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gion

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pare

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plat

form

on

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pol

icie

s fe

atur

ing

chan

nels

of

com

mun

icat

ion

to p

riva

te

sectorand

widercircleofben

eficiaries

2018

-202

3

Elem

entsofregion

alplatformforservicespa

rtially

defi

ned.

n/a

f. R

evie

w o

f co

mm

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in n

on-l

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ecto

rs w

ith

a vi

ew t

o de

epen

the

mar

ket

open

ing

in t

hese

sec

tors

2022

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3Ac

tion

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endi

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ull i

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emen

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valu

atio

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vest

men

t gr

owth

, G

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labo

ur

mar

ket

2020

-202

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tion

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endi

ng f

ull i

mpl

emen

tati

on o

f AP6

n/a

h. E

stab

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and

mai

nten

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of

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plat

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rm f

or s

tati

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in s

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FA

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17-2

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Repo

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rati

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an

d av

aila

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sers

4

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

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egio

nal l

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.

I.4.

2.

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gree

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on

inte

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2017

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appi

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in c

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tent

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arri

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gst

sele

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ulat

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iden

tifie

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rm

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gion

2018

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tand

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alys

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ongs

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2018

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dec

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ulat

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esti

c re

gu-

lati

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tra

de in

ser

vice

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2022

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3

First review

exp

ectedinNovem

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xpec

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in 2

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b. D

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eces

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nece

ssar

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de t

he s

uppl

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ser

vice

s ac

ross

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reg

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2020

-202

3Ac

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willfollowresultsofthefirstreviewtobe

com

pleted

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50 51


Obj

ecti

ves

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ons

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elin

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ate

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I.4.

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mer

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roni

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vest

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t an

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nova

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ntiv

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t th

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me

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e

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yon

geo

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ared

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aunc

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paym

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etc

.)

and

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tion

on

e-Co

mm

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arks

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low

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res

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and

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t pr

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and

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-202

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fol

low

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res

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and

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ts

2018

-202

3

Acti

on w

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ollo

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esul

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rrie

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legi

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f.Estab

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sig

natu

re a

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acili

tati

on o

f cr

oss-

bord

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certification

services

2018

-202

3SC

on

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ices

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ser

ve a

s um

brel

la f

or t

he a

ctiv

itie

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late

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th

e El

ectr

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mer

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nsur

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sed

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ompl

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ddre

ss t

reat

men

t of

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ited

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nic

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mun

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2018

-202

3Ac

tion

will

fol

low

the

res

ults

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e region

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implem

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licy,and

intim

elyman

nerforthefirsthalfof2018,as

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e M

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ent

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indu

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II.1.

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elop

and

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tabl

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a re

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inve

stm

ent

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, re

inve

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ents

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tc.)

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ank

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withfin

ancialsup

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rope

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mission

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e W

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ve d

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ered

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ping

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ort

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vest

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lised

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iew

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ith

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se in

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re-

gion

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lised

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para

tion

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osal

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iew

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het-

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eneo

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olic

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ix o

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gion

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vest

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form

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nda

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gh in

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dual

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nom

y co

nsul

tati

ons

and

regi

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alog

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int

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king

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up o

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vest

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has

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n en

dors

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ecis

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ing

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esse

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ance

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y SE

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ary

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iste

rial

pl

atfo

rms

and

put

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ard

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tion

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s.

3

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enti

fy a

nd c

ompi

le a

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preh

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ve in

ven-

tory

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abas

e of

key

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stm

ent

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y ba

rrie

rs

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bito

rs,

as w

ell a

s be

st p

ract

ices

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roug

h in

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th c

onsu

ltat

ions

wit

h th

e pr

ivat

e se

ctor

an

d re

view

of

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ting

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lysi

s, w

ith

econ

omie

s to

pro

vide

rel

evan

t da

ta o

n ex

isti

ng p

olic

ies,

la

ws,

and

reg

ulat

ions

per

tain

ing

to in

vest

men

t,

rele

vant

sys

tem

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ince

ntiv

es a

s w

ell a

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gal

and

othe

r co

mpr

ehen

sive

pro

tect

ion

of t

he a

c-qu

ired

rig

hts

of in

vest

ors

2018

c. F

orm

ulat

e a

regi

onal

inve

stm

ent

refo

rm

agen

da b

y pr

iori

tisi

ng a

nd s

eque

ncin

g is

sues

in

inve

stm

ent-

pert

inen

t po

licie

s to

be

addr

esse

d th

roug

h a

regi

onal

dia

logu

e in

sho

rt-t

erm

, m

ediu

m-t

erm

and

long

-ter

m t

imef

ram

e

2018

d. F

orm

ulat

e in

divi

dual

-eco

nom

y ac

tion

pla

ns

refle

ctingtheregion

alin

vestmen

treform

ag

enda

and

str

eam

linin

g th

e in

divi

dual

-eco

nom

y reform

efforts

2018

e. A

dopt

indi

vidu

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cono

my

acti

on p

lans

, re

-fle

cting theregion

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vestmen

treform

agend

aan

d st

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linin

g th

e in

divi

dual

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nom

y re

form

eff

orts

2018

52 53


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.

II.1.

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alis

e th

e re

gion

al

inve

stm

ent

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rm

agen

da

thro

ugh

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opri

ate

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rum

ents

a. C

ondu

ct a

naly

sis

and

prop

ose

opti

ons

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rum

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s) a

ccep

tabl

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onom

ies

base

d on

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con

tent

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ed

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onal

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ent

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rm a

gend

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re a

ctiv

ity,

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edul

ed f

or a

fter

Jul

y 20

18 e

ndor

sem

ent

by

the

PMs

and

beyo

nd.

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is r

ecog

nise

d as

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ostl

y ac

tivi

ty t

o be

executed

byateam

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xpertsand

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dad

dition

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ncialsup

port.

1b.

Dec

ide

on t

he n

eces

sity

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rmat

, an

d sc

ope

of

appr

opri

ate

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rum

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s) f

or im

plem

enta

tion

of

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regi

onal

inve

stm

ent

refo

rm a

gend

a20

18

c. In

itia

te a

nd c

oncl

ude

nego

tiat

ions

on

regi

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prop

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e in

stru

men

t(s)

, de

pend

ing

on t

he

deci

sion

rea

ched

und

er b

)20

18-2

020

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3.

Impl

emen

t an

d m

onit

or

inve

stm

ent

refo

rms

in

WB6

as

per

esta

blis

hed

regi

onal

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vest

men

t re

form

ag

enda

a. S

tren

gthe

n th

e re

gion

al d

ialo

gue

on t

he

agre

ed in

vest

men

t re

form

age

nda

unde

r th

e RC

C (S

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vest

men

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mm

itte

e) b

y re

visi

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he

Term

s of

Ref

eren

ce o

f W

orki

ng G

roup

on

Inve

st-

men

t ac

cord

ingl

y

2017

Region

alIn

vestmen

tRe

form

Agend

a(RIRA)fina

lised

,by

revised

an

d ad

opte

d Te

rms

of R

efer

ence

of

the

SEEI

C-CE

FTA

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t W

ork-

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up o

n In

vest

men

ts,

focu

sing

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impl

emen

tati

on o

f M

AP

REA

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enta

iling

man

date

d pa

rtic

ipat

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of in

divi

dual

eco

nom

y offi

cials incha

rgeofin

vestmen

tpo

licy,promotion,and

agree

-m

ents

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hils

t in

clud

ing

coor

dina

tion

wit

h ot

her

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vant

line

m

inis

trie

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ell a

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FTA

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act

poin

ts.

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e pr

ogre

ss s

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in s

ome

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he e

cono

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till

this

act

ivit

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e pr

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ly e

stab

lishe

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econ

omie

s. B

ette

r co

ordi

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tion

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cha

in o

f de

cisi

on m

akin

g fr

om t

he in

divi

dual

eco

nom

y le

vel i

s ne

eded

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rtic

ular

ly in

coo

rdin

atio

n be

twee

n th

e M

AP

REANCswithlin

eministriesincha

rgeofdifferen

tpo

licyarea

sun

der

the

inve

stm

ent

com

pone

nt.

Som

e pr

ogre

ss s

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in s

ome

of t

he e

cono

mie

s, s

till

this

act

ivit

y ne

eds

to b

e pr

oper

ly e

stab

lishe

d in

all

econ

omie

s.

2.5

b. M

anda

te r

epre

sent

atio

n of

the

rel

evan

t pu

blic

in

stit

utio

ns w

ith

appr

opri

ate

deci

sion

mak

ing

pow

er in

impl

emen

tati

on o

f th

e ag

reed

reg

iona

l in

vest

men

t re

form

age

nda

2017

c. E

stab

lish

indi

vidu

al-e

cono

my

focu

s gr

oups

in

char

ge o

f im

plem

enta

tion

of

agre

ed in

vest

men

t re

form

s on

indi

vidu

al-e

cono

my

leve

l20

18

d. R

evie

w t

he p

rogr

ess

of im

plem

enta

tion

of

the

regi

onal

inve

stm

ent

refo

rm a

gend

a an

d co

nduc

t im

pact

ass

essm

ent

thro

ugh

a re

gula

r re

gion

al

dial

ogue

und

er t

he R

CC-C

EFTA

Joi

nt W

ork-

ing

Gro

up o

n In

vest

men

t Po

licy

and

Prom

otio

n m

eeti

ngs

and

repo

rts

2018

-202

0

e. R

epor

t on

the

impl

emen

tati

on a

nd im

pact

of

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regi

onal

inve

stm

ent

refo

rm a

gend

a th

roug

h th

e RC

C-CE

FTA

Join

t W

orki

ng G

roup

on

Inve

st-

men

t Po

licy

and

Prom

otio

n an

d SE

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vest

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mm

itte

e M

inis

teri

al P

latf

orm

and

the

WB6

su

mm

it

2018

-202

0

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.

II.1.

4.

Prom

ote

WB6

reg

ion

as a

uni

que

inve

stm

ent

dest

inat

ion

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evel

op j

oint

inve

stm

ent

prom

otio

n in

itia

tive

fo

r W

B6 p

rior

ity

sect

ors

and

esta

blis

h an

ope

ra-

tion

al p

latf

orm

of

inve

stm

ent

prom

otio

n to

ols

and

tech

niqu

es

2018

The

inve

stm

ent

prom

otio

n ag

enci

es a

re in

clud

ed in

the

reg

iona

l pl

atfo

rm t

hrou

gh t

he w

ork

of t

he J

WG

I, in

itia

l pro

posa

l mad

e as

a p

art

of R

IRA,

and

end

orse

d, w

ith

deta

iled

acti

vity

pla

n to

fo

llow

. Re

gion

al in

vest

men

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omot

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cies

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ore

of

tech

nica

l (ca

paci

ty b

uild

ing)

sup

port

for

impl

emen

tati

on o

f jo

int

region

alactivities,given

the

irund

erstaff

edand

und

erbud

geted

situ

atio

n at

indi

vidu

al e

cono

my

leve

ls.

2.5

b. Im

plem

ent

a sm

all s

et o

f fo

cuse

d in

vest

men

t ou

trea

ch a

ctiv

itie

s in

cor

e se

ctor

s ta

rget

ed b

y th

e SE

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20 s

trat

egy

2018

-202

0

c. D

edic

ate

part

of

the

indi

vidu

al a

ctiv

itie

s of

in

vest

men

t pr

omot

ion

agen

cies

to

prom

otin

g th

e re

gion

as

a so

und

inve

stm

ent

dest

inat

ion

2018

-202

0

II.1.

5.

Div

ersi

fi-ca

tion

of

finan

cial

sy

stem

s to

bo

ost

in-

vest

men

t

a.Asafirststepinthisarea

,crea

tearegiona

lCa

pita

l Mar

ket

Deve

lopm

ent

Task

For

ce c

om-

pris

ing

polic

ymak

ers

and

regu

lato

rs t

o sp

ear-

head

cap

ital

mar

ket

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lopm

ent

mat

ters

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en

hanc

e co

ordi

nati

on o

n re

gula

tory

and

sup

ervi

-so

ry r

egim

es in

the

reg

ion

and

beyo

nd (

incl

udin

g co

ordi

nati

on w

ith

the

Vien

na In

itia

tive

Wor

king

G

roup

on

Capi

tal M

arke

ts U

nion

)

2017

Fina

lised

, W

orki

ng G

roup

on

Capi

tal M

arke

ts e

stab

lishe

d, w

ith

adop

ted

ToR

focu

sing

on

MAP

REA

and

ent

ailin

g re

pres

enta

tive

s of

mar

ket

auth

orit

ies

(Min

istr

ies

of F

inan

ce a

nd C

entr

al B

anks

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regu

lato

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Secu

riti

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omm

issi

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ope

rato

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k Ex

-ch

ange

s).

Inte

rnat

iona

l par

tner

s be

yond

the

reg

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have

bee

n iden

tifie

dan

dinvitedtosup

portthe

process(WorldBan

k,Eu-

rope

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omm

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na 2

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itia

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SEE

Lin

k, a

nd

othe

rs a

s de

emed

nec

essa

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Could be

marke

dasfina

lised

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provision

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mea

surehavebe

enfulfilled.How

ever,thism

easureism

arke

don

tra

ck,

sinc

e th

e ne

ed f

or r

egio

nal s

trat

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ass

esse

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new

ly e

stab

lishe

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orki

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roup

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mul

ti-a

nnua

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iona

l pro

gram

me

conc

ept

prop

osal

is p

repa

red

for

the

July

201

8 Su

mm

it,

enta

iling

pre

pa-

rati

on a

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plem

enta

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of

the

regi

onal

str

ateg

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r ca

pita

l m

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evel

opm

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est

ablis

hmen

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tfor

ms,

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crea

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acit

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iona

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ital

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stru

ctur

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wel

l as

upgr

adin

g re

gion

al t

radi

ng p

latf

orm

s. T

he p

ropo

sal f

or a

region

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mene

edssubstantialfi

nancing.

3b.

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ed o

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alys

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n ca

pita

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kets

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ed a

t id

enti

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ppor

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ss t

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eed

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deve

lopm

ent

of a

reg

iona

l st

rate

gy f

or c

apit

al m

arke

ts d

evel

opm

ent

2018

-202

0

54 55


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

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nal l

evel

Scor

.

II.1.

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t G

row

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a.

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All o

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62 63


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Acti

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ate

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d re

gion

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ce r

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ce p

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y an

d re

gula

tory

m

easu

res

that

wou

ld in

cent

ivis

e in

vest

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ts in

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gh s

peed

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orks

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us

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t a

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vel o

f pr

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reg

ard

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spos

itio

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EU

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nd C

ost

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ctio

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rect

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bani

a an

d Th

e Fo

rmer

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publ

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ansp

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hile

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er t

hree

eco

nom

ies

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repa

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stage.In

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redan

da

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X m

issi

on is

exp

ecte

d to

sup

port

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h th

e sc

reen

ing.

b. T

he p

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rati

on o

f th

e br

oadb

and

infr

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re m

appi

ng

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ngoi

ng in

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econ

omie

s. N

amel

y, A

lban

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as a

n br

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and

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s th

at is

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ular

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pdat

ed –

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plic

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n fo

r th

e fe

a-si

bilit

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udy

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band

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nd-

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sovo

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in t

he p

roce

ss –

ext

ende

d br

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t pr

ojec

ts la

unch

ed a

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ontr

acts

sig

ned

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lect

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mm

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atio

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ture

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dom

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the

proc

ess

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ted

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ce d

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on

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plet

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r ru

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rt o

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64 65


Obj

ecti

ves

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Tim

elin

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ate

of p

lay

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evel

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snia

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onne

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to

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plet

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23 a

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Acti

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Tim

elin

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Har

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lish

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and

st

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then

reg

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vel o

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rmon

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ulat

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t provideforeffi

cien

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ctrumm

anagem

entareinplace

acro

ss t

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n. T

here

is u

neve

n de

velo

pmen

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eing

up

freq

uenc

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Alb

ania

, Bo

snia

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zego

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ovo*

hav

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mpl

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cess

; In

Alb

ania

, it

is e

xpec

ted

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% of

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pop

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will

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red

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20

18,

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for

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MH

z; M

onte

negr

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00 M

Hz

free

; Ko

sovo

* th

e te

nder

ing

to a

llow

usi

ng o

f un

used

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ile s

pect

rum

is in

pro

-gr

ess.

Broa

der

coor

dina

tion

on

radi

o sp

ectr

um is

sues

tak

es p

lace

wit

hin

RSPG

regiona

lgroup

,SEDD

IFaswella

swithinWRC

-19prep

ara-

tory

pro

cess

. A m

ulti

late

ral f

ram

ewor

k ag

reem

ent

betw

een

all S

EDDI

F m

embe

rs (

wit

h th

e ex

cept

ion

of A

lban

ia)

is a

lrea

dy

sign

ed in

Dec

embe

r 20

17.

Init

ial r

egio

nal d

ialo

gue

on s

pect

rum

pol

icy

harm

onis

atio

n to

ok

plac

e at

Wes

tern

Bal

kans

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min

g Po

licy

Mee

ting

, he

ld o

n Ap

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in B

russ

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edic

ated

mee

ting

in t

his

rega

rd t

o be

or

gani

sed

by t

he e

nd o

f M

ay-

begi

nnin

g of

Jun

e 20

18.

Goo

d ad

vanc

emen

t in

5G

is a

lso

note

d in

Mon

tene

gro

and

The

Form

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia.

b. O

n W

RC,

econ

omie

s pa

rtic

ipat

e in

depe

nden

tly

in W

RC’s

wor

k.

Koso

vo*

is in

tere

sted

to

part

icip

ate

in it

s w

ork

and

othe

r re

gion

al

grou

ps r

elat

ed t

o sp

ectr

um p

olic

y m

anag

emen

t.

Yet,

no

regi

onal

dis

cuss

ion

has

star

ted

on h

avin

g a

regi

onal

pos

i-ti

on a

nd s

tand

ing

on W

RC,

CEPT

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2.5

b. C

oord

inat

e re

gion

al p

osit

ions

for

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Wor

ld

Radi

o Co

nfer

ence

(W

RC),

CEP

T/EC

OCo

ntin

uous

66 67


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.

IV.

1.3

Coor

dina

te

roam

ing

polic

ies

tow

ards

a

roam

ing

free

eco

-no

mic

are

a

a. C

onti

nue

regi

onal

coo

rdin

atio

n on

roa

min

g po

licie

s to

war

ds a

roa

min

g fr

ee e

cono

mic

are

a an

d pr

epar

e m

id-t

erm

Act

ion

Plan

for

alig

ning

ro

amin

g po

licie

s w

ith

EU R

LAH

mod

el

2018

a. R

egio

nal R

oam

ing

Agre

emen

t am

ongs

t 4

econ

omie

s (i

.e.

Bos-

nia

and

Her

zego

vina

, M

onte

negr

o, T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia a

nd S

erbi

a) is

suc

cess

fully

impl

emen

ted.

The

WB6

Ro

amin

g Po

licy

mee

ting

hel

d in

Bru

ssel

s on

5th

Apr

il 20

18 c

ase

show

ed t

he t

rend

s in

the

4 p

arti

cipa

ting

eco

nom

ies,

hig

hlig

ht-

ing

the

need

to

focu

s m

ore

on d

ata

rath

er t

han

voic

e; W

B6

confi

rmed

the

willingnessofthe

WB6

toextend

the

scope

ofthe

agre

emen

t an

d w

ork

on a

new

suc

cess

or a

gree

men

t, p

oten

tial

ly

wit

h pr

ovis

ions

of

RLAH

wit

hin

WB6

. Ex

peri

ence

of

EU in

par

ticu

-la

r fo

r RL

AH m

odel

will

be

furt

her

expl

ored

and

use

d.

Alba

nia

and

Koso

vo*

have

exp

ress

ed t

heir

will

ingn

ess

to j

oin

RRA

and offi

cialle

tterstoin

form

other4econo

miesaresubm

itted.

Tech

nica

l and

pro

cedu

ral t

alks

will

fol

low

in t

his

rega

rd.

b. A

mul

ti-s

take

hold

er a

ppro

ach

wit

h re

gard

to

roam

ing

polic

y is

es

tabl

ishe

d th

roug

hout

WB6

. Alb

ania

has

org

anis

ed a

rou

nd t

able

w

ith

oper

ator

s on

25

Janu

ary

2018

whi

le r

egul

ar r

egio

nal m

eet-

ings

am

ongs

t IC

T m

inis

trie

s an

d re

gula

tors

fro

m W

B6 a

re o

rgan

-is

ed.

Regi

onal

dia

logu

e to

dee

pen

coop

erat

ion

in r

oam

ing

polic

y w

as h

eld

duri

ng t

he W

B6 m

eeti

ng o

n ro

amin

g po

licy

harm

onis

a-ti

on (

i.e.

Bru

ssel

s, 5

th A

pril

2018

).

WB6

eco

nom

ies

disc

uss

coor

dina

tion

of

roam

ing

polic

y in

reg

u-la

r re

gion

al m

eeti

ngs

faci

litat

ed t

hrou

gh R

CC a

nd t

here

is a

n ex

pres

sed

will

ingn

ess

and

need

to

cont

inue

thi

s di

alog

ue in

the

fu

ture

, al

so w

ith

the

help

and

fac

ilita

tion

of

RCC

and

EU..

c. R

CC h

as c

omm

issi

oned

the

con

sult

ancy

to

asse

ss t

he im

pact

of

the

roam

ing

char

ges.

The

ToR

has

bee

n pr

epar

ed a

nd t

he c

on-

trac

t w

ith

the

cons

ulta

nt s

igne

d. T

he p

relim

inar

y re

sult

s to

be

read

ypriortoSofi

aSummit.Th

eRo

admap

tofacilitatelowering

the

cost

s of

roa

min

g as

par

t of

the

Enl

arge

men

t St

rate

gy,

whi

ch

is p

art

of t

he W

B6 D

igit

al A

gend

a to

be

deve

lope

d by

EC.

3

b. F

ollo

w a

mul

ti-s

take

hold

er a

ppro

ach

to g

uar-

ante

e tr

ansp

aren

cy a

nd p

redi

ctab

ility

so

that

all

rele

vant

vie

ws

and

expe

rtis

e on

roa

min

g po

licie

s are sufficien

tlyaccoun

tedfor

Cont

inuo

us

c. A

sses

s im

pact

of

abol

ishm

ent

of r

oam

ing

char

ges

in t

he E

U o

n W

B6 in

a r

egio

nal p

osit

ion

pape

r20

18

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.IV

.2.T

rust

and

sec

urit

y in

dig

ital

ser

vice

sEn

hanc

e Cy

bers

ecur

ity,

tru

st s

ervi

ces

and

data

pro

tect

ion:

NIS

Dir

ecti

ve is

tra

nspo

sed

in A

lban

ia a

nd S

erbi

a w

hils

t th

e ot

her

econ

omie

s ar

e in

the

pr

oces

s of

pre

para

tion

and

/or

in p

ublic

con

sult

atio

n. In

Kos

ovo*

pre

para

tion

of

the

conc

ept

note

I pr

ogre

ss e

xpec

ted

to b

e ap

prov

ed b

y th

e G

over

n-m

ent

in a

utum

n; le

gisl

atio

n on

dat

a pr

otec

tion

and

pir

acy

is g

ener

ally

in p

lace

acr

oss

WB6

. Al

bani

a, K

osov

o*,

Mon

tene

gro

and

Serb

ia h

ave

adop

ted

dedicatedcybe

rsecuritystrategieswhileThe

FormerYugoslavRe

publicofMaced

oniaisatfin

alstageofap

proval.Yet,notevenaun

iformprogressin

impl

emen

tati

on o

f th

e st

rate

gies

is a

chie

ved.

Mixed

progressinregardtothe

criticalITinfrastructureid

entific

ationan

dno

exp

licitin

puton

the

levelo

fprotection

.Onthecurren

tstateofim

ple-

men

tation

,Ko

sovo*alread

yad

optedthelawoncriticalIT

infrastructure,A

lban

iacom

pleted

the

iden

tific

ationan

dap

provalispen

ding,Serbiahas

iden

tifie

dan

dad

optedthelistofIC

Tsystem

stobeprotected,The

FormerYugoslavRe

publicofMaced

oniacriticalinfrastructureop

eratorrecognised

butno

internalagree

men

ton

the

defi

nition

ofcriticalIT

infrastructures,Mon

tene

growillado

ptthe

Decreeon

mea

suresfortheprotection

ofcritical

info

rmat

ion

infr

astr

uctu

re i

n ac

cord

ance

wit

h th

e Am

endm

ents

to

the

Law

on

info

rmat

ion

secu

rity

in t

he t

hird

qua

rter

of

this

yea

r.

All W

B6 h

ave

esta

blis

hed

CSIR

Ts –

tho

ugh

unde

rdev

elop

ed a

nd n

eces

sita

ting

long

er-t

erm

cap

acit

y-bu

ildin

g pr

ogra

mm

es.

RCC

netw

orke

d th

e CS

IRTs

fr

om t

he W

este

rn B

alka

ns a

nd e

xten

ded

capa

city

bui

ldin

g to

the

ir r

epre

sent

ativ

es.

A re

gion

al C

onfe

renc

e of

CSI

RTs

prop

osed

by

The

Form

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia is

to

be o

rgan

ised

in O

ctob

er 2

018

duri

ng t

he E

urop

ean

Cybe

rsec

urit

y m

onth

. To

fac

ilita

te t

he p

arti

cipa

tion

to

ENIS

A w

ork,

co

mpl

iant

wit

h th

e W

B6 D

igit

al S

umm

it c

oncl

usio

ns,

RCC

has

rece

ntly

sen

t a

lett

er t

o EN

ISA

Exec

utiv

e Di

rect

or s

eeki

ng a

pos

itiv

e st

andi

ng f

rom

EN

ISA

to p

arta

ke in

its

wor

k/ac

tivi

ties

.

IV.2

.1.

Enha

nce

Cybe

rsec

u-ri

ty,

trus

t se

rvic

es

and

data

pr

otec

tion

a. E

stab

lish

and

harm

onis

e cy

bers

ecur

ity,

dat

a pr

otec

tion

, an

d pr

ivac

y re

gula

tion

s on

the

bas

is

ofale

velp

layingfieldaskeyforestab

lishinga

function

ingan

deffi

cien

tDS

Mapp

roach

Cont

inuo

usa.

The

WB6

eco

nom

ies

have

ado

pted

rel

evan

t po

licie

s an

d le

g-is

lati

on f

or p

riva

cy,

data

pro

tect

ion

and

digi

tal s

ecur

ity.

The

NIS

Di

rect

ive

is t

rans

pose

d in

Alb

ania

, Se

rbia

whi

lst

the

othe

r ec

ono-

mie

s ar

e in

pro

cess

of

prep

arat

ion

and/

or in

pub

lic c

onsu

ltat

ion.

Ko

sovo

* ap

prov

ed t

he le

gisl

atio

n on

dat

a pr

otec

tion

and

pir

acy

is

gene

rally

in p

lace

acr

oss

WB6

. Alb

ania

, Ko

sovo

*, M

onte

negr

o an

d Se

rbia

hav

e ad

opte

d de

dica

ted

cybe

rsec

urit

y st

rate

gies

whi

le

TheFo

rmerYugoslavRe

publicofMaced

oniaisatfin

alstageof

appr

oval

- y

et,

unif

orm

pro

gres

s in

impl

emen

tati

on o

f th

e st

rate

-gi

es h

as n

ot b

een

achi

eved

.

2.5

b. Id

enti

fy a

nd e

nsur

e pr

otec

tion

of

crit

ical

IT

infr

astr

uctu

res

Cont

inuo

us

c. S

et u

p re

gion

al d

ialo

gue

and

info

rmat

ion

ex-

chan

ge p

latf

orm

am

ongs

t W

B6 C

SIRT

s (C

ompu

ter

Secu

rity

Inci

dent

Res

pons

e Te

ams)

, ad

vanc

e CS

IRTs

’ ca

paci

ties

and

str

engt

hen

inst

itut

iona

l lin

ks w

ith

EU C

SIRT

s

Cont

inuo

us

d. E

stab

lish

regi

onal

dia

logu

e an

d in

form

atio

n ex

chan

ge p

latf

orm

am

ongs

t au

thor

itie

s in

cha

rge

of N

etw

ork

and

Info

rmat

ion

Secu

rity

(N

IS)

Cont

inuo

us

68 69


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.b.

Mix

ed p

rogr

ess

amon

gst

WB6

in r

egar

d to

cri

tica

l IT

infr

astr

uc-

tureid

entific

ation.ProcessofcriticalIT

infrastructureid

entific

a-ti

on a

nd t

he r

espe

ctiv

e le

gisl

ativ

e pr

oces

s is

ong

oing

; Ko

sovo

* al

read

y ad

opte

d th

e la

w o

n cr

itic

al IT

infr

astr

uctu

re, A

lban

ia

hasiden

tifie

dan

dtheGovernm

entDe

cree

app

rovalispe

nding,

Serbiahasid

entifie

dan

dad

optedthelistofIC

Tsystem

stobe

prot

ecte

d, T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia -

man

y of

thecriticalin

frastructureope

ratorswereiden

tifie

d,butthe

reis

noofficialdecisionon

iden

tific

ationofcriticalITinfrastructure;

Mon

tene

grostartedtheprocessofid

entific

ationan

dexpe

ctsthis

to b

e co

mpl

eted

in t

he n

ext

year

s.

No

expl

icit

inpu

t fr

om t

he e

cono

mie

s on

the

leve

l of

prot

ecti

on

of c

riti

cal I

T in

fras

truc

ture

.

c. A

ll W

B6 h

ave

esta

blis

hed

CSIR

Ts –

tho

ugh

unde

rdev

elop

ed a

nd

nece

ssit

atin

g lo

nger

-ter

m c

apac

ity-

build

ing

prog

ram

mes

. CS

IRTs

from

WB6

havepa

rticipated

indifferen

tbilateralo

rregion

al

even

ts in

the

are

a of

cyb

erse

curi

ty.

d. R

CC n

etw

orke

d th

e CS

IRTs

fro

m t

he W

este

rn B

alka

ns a

nd

exte

nded

cap

acit

y bu

ildin

g to

the

ir r

epre

sent

ativ

es.

The

disc

us-

sion

in t

his

form

of

CSIR

Ts w

ill c

onti

nue.

A r

egio

nal C

onfe

renc

e of

CS

IRTs

pro

pose

d by

The

For

mer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

is

to

be o

rgan

ised

in O

ctob

er 2

018

duri

ng t

he E

urop

ean

Cybe

rse-

curi

ty m

onth

. Th

e m

ain

purp

ose

is t

o ga

ther

rep

rese

ntat

ives

and

he

ads

of a

ll th

e N

atio

nal C

SIRT

s fr

om t

he r

egio

n (1

0 co

untr

ies,

in

clud

ing

WB6

eco

nom

ies)

.

CSIR

T fr

om T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia h

as

sign

ed m

emor

andu

ms

of u

nder

stan

ding

wit

h th

e CS

IRTs

fro

m K

o-so

vo*

and

Alba

nia.

Cur

rent

ly c

omm

unic

atio

n w

ith

othe

r go

vern

-m

ent

CSIR

Ts f

rom

WB

econ

omie

s on

pot

enti

ally

sig

ning

MoU

s.

To f

acili

tate

the

par

tici

pati

on t

o EN

ISA

wor

k, c

ompl

iant

wit

h th

e W

B6 D

igit

al S

umm

it c

oncl

usio

ns,

RCC

has

rece

ntly

sen

t a

lett

er

to E

NIS

A Ex

ecut

ive

Dire

ctor

exp

lori

ng p

rosp

ects

to

part

ake

in

ENIS

A w

ork/

acti

viti

es.

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.IV

.3.

Digi

tal e

cono

my

and

soci

ety,

Incl

usiv

e di

gita

l soc

iety

Dev

elop

and

str

engt

hen

supp

ly o

f di

gita

l ski

lls:

Deve

lop

digi

tal s

kills

is j

oint

ly r

ecog

nise

d by

WB6

and

nee

d to

ups

cale

dig

ital

ski

lls p

rogr

amm

e is

und

er-

lined

.How

ever,theprogressisune

ven.The

reareattem

ptstodevelop

digitalskillsprogram

mes.Hen

ce,Serbiaisatthefin

alstageofap

provalofthe

Digi

tal S

kill

Deve

lopm

ent

Stra

tegy

, Ko

sovo

* ha

s un

dert

aken

a s

tudy

on

digi

tal s

kills

wit

h th

e su

ppor

t of

the

Wor

ld B

ank

aim

ing

to d

evel

op a

pro

gram

me

focussingon

you

ngpeo

ple.Som

eofthe

econo

miesha

vein

vested

effortsin

trainingan

dincrea

seofknow

ledgeindigitalskillfortargeted

group

.InKoso-

vo*,

as

part

of

Wom

en O

nlin

e W

ork

(WoW

), w

omen

wer

e ta

rget

ed in

5 m

unic

ipal

itie

s (U

SAID

and

Sw

is In

terc

oope

rati

on s

uppo

rt)

duri

ng t

he la

st y

ear

– th

e pr

ogra

mm

e w

ill b

e ex

tend

ed t

o al

l mun

icip

alit

ies

in t

he u

pcom

ing

5 ye

ars.

The

For

mer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

has

con

duct

ed t

rain

ing

for

basi

c IT

ski

lls a

nd a

dvan

ced

IT s

kills

for

une

mpl

oyed

peo

ple.

Nat

iona

l Com

preh

ensi

ve E

duca

tion

Str

ateg

y 20

18-2

025

was

ado

pted

in J

anua

ry 2

018,

whe

re o

ne

of t

he p

rior

itie

s is

ens

urin

g w

ides

prea

d us

e of

ICT

in e

duca

tion

, tr

aini

ng a

nd d

igit

al li

tera

cy a

nd in

Apr

il 20

18,

the

new

Law

on

Mat

hem

atic

s an

d In

form

a-ti

on G

ymna

sium

was

ado

pted

. Th

e Fo

rmer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

sti

mul

ated

the

com

pani

es t

o em

ploy

per

sons

wit

h di

sabi

litie

s in

all

mea

sure

s fo

r em

ploy

men

t. A

ddit

iona

lly,

Koso

vo*

thro

ugh

IPA

2017

fun

ds –

3 m

ln E

uro

unti

l 202

1 –

will

dev

elop

hum

an c

apac

itie

s fo

r di

gita

l eco

nom

y an

d su

ppor

t fo

r di

gita

l bus

ines

ses.

In T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia t

rain

ings

for

adv

ance

d IT

ski

lls u

nder

IPA

gran

t pr

ojec

ts a

re o

ngoi

ng a

nd in

Ser

bia,

the

Governm

entoff

ersincentivestoNGOswho

implem

entdigitalskillsprojectsforwom

en–aspa

rtoftheITIn

dustryDevelop

men

tStrategy.A

dditiona

lly,

Governm

entfoun

dedprojecttotrainretired

peo

pleisplann

edduringthefirsthalfof2018.

A pr

opos

al o

n di

gita

l ski

lls a

nd c

ompe

tenc

es is

pri

orit

ised

wit

hin

the

SEE2

020

Prog

ram

min

g Do

cum

ent

2018

-202

0. A

ddit

iona

lly,

WB6

Dig

ital

Sum

mit

rec

-ognisedthene

edtoworkon


mesand

rea

ffirm

edthe

interestofWB6

tointegratewithintheEU

DigitalSkillsand

Job

sCo

alition,by

endo

rsin

g th

e ob

ject

ives

and

pri

ncip

les

of t

he C

oalit

ion

and

othe

r EU

init

iati

ves

in t

he a

rea.

IV.3

.1.

Dev

elop

and

st

reng

then

su

pply

of

digi

tal s

kills

a.In

itiateregiona

lcoo

peration

oncertified

re/

qualification


mes

2018

a. D

evel

op d

igit

al s

kills

is j

oint

ly r

ecog

nise

d by

WB6

and

nee

d to

ups

cale

dig

ital

ski

lls p

rogr

amm

e is

und

erlin

ed.

How

ever

, th

e progressisune

ven.Serbiaisatthefin

alstageofap

provalofthe

Digi

tal S

kill

Deve

lopm

ent

Stra

tegy

, w

hile

the

Act

ion

Plan

for

IT

Indu

stry

Dev

elop

men

t pr

ovid

es f

or a

ctiv

itie

s re

late

d to

hum

an

capa

city

dev

elop

men

t. K

osov

o* h

as u

nder

take

n a

stud

y on

dig

i-ta

l ski

lls w

ith

the

supp

ort

of t

he W

orld

Ban

k ai

min

g to

dev

elop

a

prog

ram

me

focu

ssin

g on

you

ng p

eopl

e. A

pro

posa

l on

digi

tal s

kills

an

d co

mpe

tenc

es is

pri

orit

ised

wit

hin

the

SEE2

020

Prog

ram

min

g Do

cum

ent

2018

-202

0. A

ddit

iona

lly,

WB6

Dig

ital

Sum

mit

rec

og-

nisedthene

edtoworkon


mes-rea

ffirm

ing

the

inte

rest

tow

ards

inte

grat

ion

wit

hin

the

EU D

igit

al S

kills

and

Jo

bs C

oalit

ion,

by

endo

rsin

g th

e ob

ject

ives

and

pri

ncip

les

of t

he

Coal

itio

n. In

The

For

mer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

, N

atio

nal

Com

preh

ensi

ve E

duca

tion

Str

ateg

y 20

18-2

025

was

ado

pted

in

Janu

ary

2018

, w

here

one

of

the

prio

riti

es is

to

ensu

re w

ides

prea

d us

e of

ICT

in e

duca

tion

, tr

aini

ng a

nd d

igit

al li

tera

cy in

all

area

s:

pre-

scho

ol e

duca

tion

, pr

imar

y ed

ucat

ion

(gen

eral

), g

ener

al s

ec-

onda

ry e

duca

tion

, vo

cati

onal

edu

cati

on a

nd t

rain

ings

, un

iver

sity

2

b. P

ilot

a re

gion

al in

terv

enti

on a

imed

at

enha

nc-

ing

basi

c di

gita

l ski

lls f

or c

itiz

ens

to e

ngag

e on

line

Cont

inuo

us

c. P

ilot

a re

gion

al in

terv

enti

on a

imed

at

enha

nc-

ing

skill

s fo

r IT

spe

cial

ists

, th

at w

ould

be

clos

ely

linke

d to

the

dem

and

from

and

coo

rdin

ated

wit

h di

gita

l bus

ines

ses

in W

B6 a

nd E

U;

2018

70 71


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.

d. S

et u

p an

d im

plem

ent

regi

onal

tra

inin

g an

d em

ploy

abili

ty e

nhan

cem

ent

prog

ram

me

aim

-in

g to

mob

ilise

and

ups

kill

un/u

nder

empl

oyed

po

pula

tion

(w

omen

) to

see

k re

venu

e ge

nera

tion

op

port

unit

ies

thro

ugh

onlin

e w

ork

plat

form

s;

wit

h pa

rtic

ular

em

phas

is o

n yo

uth,

wom

en,

and

peop

le w

ith

disa

bilit

ies

2018

educ

atio

n, r

esea

rch

and

inno

vati

ons,

adu

lt e

duca

tion

, as

wel

l as

teac

hers

. Th

e ne

w L

aw o

n M

athe

mat

ics

and

Info

rmat

ion

Gym

na-

sium

was

ado

pted

in A

pril

2018

.

b.Som

eofthe

econo

miesha

vein

vested

effortsin

trainingan

din

crea

se o

f kn

owle

dge

in d

igit

al s

kills

for

tar

gete

d gr

oups

. In

Ko

sovo

*, a

s pa

rt o

f W

omen

Onl

ine

Wor

k (W

oW),

wom

en a

re

targ

eted

in 5

mun

icip

alit

ies

(USA

ID a

nd S

wis

Inte

rcoo

pera

tion

su

ppor

t) d

urin

g th

e la

st y

ear

and

trai

ning

was

con

duct

ed –

the

pr

ogra

mm

e w

ill b

e ex

tend

ed t

o al

l mun

icip

alit

ies

in t

he u

pcom

-in

g 5

year

s; S

erbi

a is

at

an a

dvan

ced

stag

e of

pre

pari

ng a

ded

i-ca

ted

Digi

tal S

kills

str

ateg

y; T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia is

pre

pari

ng a

ICT

Stra

tegy

, ha

s co

nduc

ted

trai

ning

for

ba

sic

IT s

kills

and

adv

ance

d IT

ski

lls f

or u

nem

ploy

ed p

eopl

e. 1

35

peop

le h

ave

been

tra

ined

dur

ing

2017

and

300

mor

e is

tar

gete

d fo

r 20

18.

c. In

Kos

ovo*

, su

ppor

t fr

om IP

A 20

17 –

3 m

ln E

uro

unti

l 202

1 –

to

deve

lop

hum

an c

apac

itie

s fo

r di

gita

l eco

nom

y an

d su

ppor

t fo

r di

gita

l bus

ines

ses.

In T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia

trai

ning

s fo

r ad

vanc

ed IT

ski

lls u

nder

IPA

gran

t pr

ojec

ts a

re o

ngo-

ing.

d.The

firstcentrein

The

FormerYugoslavRe

publicofMaced

onia

and

the

regi

on,

Hub

IT,

unde

r U

SAID

Soc

ial I

nclu

sion

Pro

ject

was

op

ened

inSkopje,offeringservicestoyoun

gpe

oplewithdisabili-

ties

and

ena

blin

g th

em t

o st

art

care

ers

in t

he IT

sec

tor.

By s

up-

port

ing

this

pro

ject

and

thr

ough

the

ope

rati

onal

pla

n, T

he F

or-

mer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

sti

mul

ated

the

com

pani

es t

o em

ploy

per

sons

wit

h di

sabi

litie

s in

all

mea

sure

s fo

r em

ploy

men

t.

InSerbia,the

Governm

entoff

ersincentivestoNGOswho

imple-

men

t di

gita

l ski

lls p

roje

cts

for

wom

en –

as

part

of

the

IT In

dust

ry

Deve

lopm

ent

Stra

tegy

. Add

itio

nally

, G

over

nmen

t fo

unde

d pr

ojec

t totrainretired

peo

pleisplann

edduringthefirsthalfof2018.

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.IV

.4.

Dig

itis

atio

n, D

ata

econ

omy,

Sta

ndar

ds a

nd In

tero

pera

bilit

y, In

nova

tion

Prom

ote

upta

ke o

f Sm

art

Tech

nolo

gies

and

Acc

eler

ate

Dig

itis

atio

n: T

he d

iscu

ssio

n on

dig

ital

tra

nsfo

rmat

ion

and

digi

tal e

cono

my

and

soci

ety

is

laun

ched

.Th

eWB6

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mitorgan

ised

on18-19Ap

ril2

018,in

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at–recon

firmed

the

expressed

willing-

nessand

com

mitmen

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B6toworkon

aregiona

ldigitalagend

aforthebe

nefitsofitscitizensand

the

econo

myasawho

le.Th

econclusion

softhe

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mitrea

ffirm

edthe

com

mitmen

tofW

B6toworkon

:digitalskills,trustan

dsecurity,digitalc

onne

ctivityan

ddigitale

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myan

dsociety.

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cono

mie

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e m

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rs o

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e O

pen

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ernm

ent

Part

ners

hip

init

iati

ve,

exce

pt K

osov

o*. A

ll es

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al d

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gue

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on h

ow t

his

data

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regi

onal

ly e

xcha

nged

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scus

sion

on

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rdin

atio

n on

OPG

can

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her

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nded

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e e-

Gov

ernm

ent

Wor

king

Gro

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embe

rs a

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eSPA

in r

elat

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to e

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ernm

ent

/ O

pen

Gov

ernm

ent

/ O

pen

Data

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d e-

Part

icip

atio

n.

All W

B6 e

cono

mie

s ha

ve a

dopt

ed e

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hent

icat

ion

fram

ewor

ks a

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in im

prov

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thei

r e-

auth

enti

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on s

chem

es.

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ddit

ion,

WB6

eco

no-

miesha

vedifferen

tlevelo

fha

rmon

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esticlegislationwitheIDA

Sregulation

,withAlba

nia,Serbiaan

dMon

tene

groha

vingalrea

dytranspo

sed

eIDA

S in

new

law

s, a

nd in

The

For

mer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

the

new

dra

ft la

w is

in t

he p

roce

ss o

f pu

blic

con

sult

atio

n. T

he in

tero

pera

bilit

y pl

atfo

rm is

fun

ctio

nal i

n Al

bani

a, T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia,

rece

ntly

ado

pted

in B

osni

a an

d H

erze

govi

na a

nd t

o a

cert

ain

exte

nt in

Se

rbia

whe

re e

-gov

ernm

ent

serv

ices

are

not

yet

dep

loye

d on

the

e-N

IF f

ram

ewor

k. E

-gov

ernm

ent

serv

ices

are

gra

dual

ly b

eing

alig

ned

wit

h th

e N

atio

nal

Inte

rope

rabi

lity

Fram

ewor

ks.

Acro

ss t

he r

egio

n th

ere

are

seve

ral d

igit

al h

ubs

and

inno

vati

on p

arks

. M

ost

have

bee

n de

velo

ped

wit

h do

nor

fund

ing

(inc

ludi

ng E

U,

the

Wor

ld B

ank,

GIZ

, U

SAID

and

oth

er b

ilate

ral d

onor

s),

priv

ate

sect

or f

undi

ng,

or b

oth.

The

pan

-Eur

opea

n ne

twor

k of

Dig

ital

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vati

on H

ubs

Cata

logu

e Pr

ojec

t lis

ts a

roun

d 20

hub

s fr

om t

he r

egio

n an

d pr

ovid

es o

ppor

tuni

ties

for

coo

pera

tion

, as

do

Hor

izon

202

0 an

d EU

Ter

rito

rial

and

Cro

ss-b

orde

r Pr

ogra

mm

es.

The

Form

er

Yugo

slav

Rep

ublic

of

Mac

edon

ia h

as a

Fun

d fo

r In

nova

tion

and

Tec

hnol

ogy

Deve

lopm

ent

for

supp

orti

ng in

nova

tive

pro

ject

s; F

easi

bilit

y st

udy

for

esta

blis

h-men

tofScien

ceand

Techn

ologyParkin

The

FormerYugoslavRe

publicofMaced

oniahasstarted

–tobe

fina

nced

und

erthe

Europ

eanUnion

Integration

Faci

lity

(EU

IF)

tool

, av

aila

ble

unde

r IP

A II

2014

-202

0. A

ddit

iona

lly,

the

proj

ect

inno

vati

on e

cosy

stem

in t

he c

ross

-bor

der

area

(CB

C In

nov8

) as

par

t of

the

IPA2Cross-Bo

rderProgram

mebe

twee

nTh

eForm

erYugoslavRe

publicofMaced

oniaand

Alban

iaofficiallystarted

inJan

uary2018an

dwillla

st28mon

ths.

Moreo

ver,Serbiaalsoha

san

inno

vation

fun

dwhileotherecono

miesha

vestarted

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ucingdifferen

tinno

vation

vou

cherschem

esonasm

allerscale.

IV.4

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Pr

omot

e up

take

of

Sm

art

Tech

nolo

-gi

es a

nd

Acc

eler

ate

Dig

itis

atio

n

a. S

et u

p re

gion

al c

oope

rati

ve d

ialo

gue

on d

igi-

tal t

rans

form

atio

n ch

alle

nges

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pro

spec

ts in

W

B i. A

sses

s th

e st

ate

of p

lay

of t

he b

usin

ess

environm

entan

dthemulti-faceted

ben

efitsan

acce

lera

ted

and

regi

onal

Dig

ital

Tra

nsfo

rma-

tion

wou

ld c

reat

e in

the

Wes

tern

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kans

2017

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he in

dust

ry-l

ed s

tudy

The

Impa

ct o

f Di

gita

l Tra

nsfo

rma-

tion

on

the

Wes

tern

Bal

kans

– T

ackl

ing

the

Chal

leng

es t

owar

ds

Polit

ical

Sta

bilit

y an

d Ec

onom

ic P

rosp

erit

y al

ong

wit

h th

e po

licy

brief isfina

lised

and

presented

duringtheWB6

DigitalSum

mit.

Disc

ussi

ons

on t

he e

xten

t to

whi

ch t

he r

ecom

men

dati

ons

will

be

tra

nsla

ted

in d

omes

tic

polic

ies

or r

egio

nal a

ctio

ns s

houl

d be

di

scus

sed

in r

egio

nal m

echa

nism

s.

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ised

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ril2

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the

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mit

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t of

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to

wor

k on

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egio

n-aldigitalagend

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le.Th

econclusion

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ffirm

edthe

co

mm

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ent

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o w

ork

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kills

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ust

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gita

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gita

l eco

nom

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ciet

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2.85

72 73


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aced

onia

the

new

dr

aft

law

is in

the

pro

cess

of

publ

ic c

onsu

ltat

ion.

The

inte

rope

r-ab

ility

pla

tfor

m is

fun

ctio

nal i

n Al

bani

a, T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Re-

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

, re

cent

ly a

dopt

ed in

Bos

nia

and

Her

zego

vina

an

d to

a c

erta

in e

xten

t in

Ser

bia

whe

re e

-gov

ernm

ent

serv

ices

ar

e no

t ye

t de

ploy

ed o

n th

e e-

NIF

fra

mew

ork.

E-g

over

nmen

t se

rvic

es a

re g

radu

ally

bei

ng a

ligne

d w

ith

the

Nat

iona

l Int

erop

er-

abili

ty F

ram

ewor

ks.

d. A

cros

s th

e re

gion

the

re a

re s

ever

al d

igit

al h

ubs

and

inno

va-

tion

par

ks.

Mos

t ha

ve b

een

deve

lope

d w

ith

dono

r fu

ndin

g (G

IZ,

USA

ID,

EU,

the

Wor

ld B

ank,

bila

tera

l don

ors

and

priv

ate

sect

or

com

pani

es).

The

pan

-Eur

opea

n ne

twor

k of

Dig

ital

Inno

vati

on

Hub

s Ca

talo

gue

Proj

ect

lists

aro

und

20 h

ubs

from

the

reg

ion

and

prov

ides

opp

ortu

niti

es f

or c

oope

rati

on,

as d

o H

oriz

on 2

020

and

EU T

erri

tori

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nd C

ross

-bor

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ram

mes

.

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oste

r Da

ta e

cono

my

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a, O

pen

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an

d O

pen

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ernm

ent)

:

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ata

regi

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prov

e qu

alit

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ope

n da

ta p

orta

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hrou

gh r

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nal

coop

erat

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and

best

pra

ctic

e ex

chan

ge

Cont

inuo

us

ii. S

tren

gthe

n re

gion

al c

oord

inat

ion

on u

se,

exchan

geand

safean

drelia

bleflo

w,access

and

tran

sfer

of

data

and

inte

grat

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wit

hin

the

Euro

pean

dat

a ec

osys

tem

and

eco

nom

y

Cont

inuo

us

c. A

lign

stan

dard

s, c

ompl

emen

t in

tero

pera

bil-

ity

fram

ewor

ks a

nd in

trod

uce

a pa

n-Eu

rope

an

dim

ensi

on,

in li

ne w

ith

EIF:

i. C

oord

inat

e re

gion

al a

ctiv

itie

s on

inte

rope

r-ab

ility

sta

ndar

ds a

nd f

acili

tate

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elop

men

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st

anda

rds

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inte

rope

rabi

lity

init

iati

ves

Cont

inuo

us

d. F

oste

r co

oper

atio

n am

ongs

t di

gita

l hub

s:

e. i.

Fac

ilita

te B

usin

ess

Inve

stm

ents

in r

esea

rch

and

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vati

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the

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atio

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rt-U

psCo

ntin

uous

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ecti

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Acti

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Tim

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ate

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lay

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evel

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.

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gst

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rks

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ss d

eman

d an

d pr

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cts

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b-lis

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iona

l dig

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ubs.

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-on-

war

ds

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mos

t ad

vanc

ed a

mon

gst

WB6

– T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

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blic

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edon

ia -

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und

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vati

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and

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nolo

gy D

e-ve

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for

supp

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ng in

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tive

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ject

s; F

easi

bilit

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udy

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esta

blis

hmen

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ence

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hnol

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Park

in T

he F

orm

er

YugoslavRep

ublic

ofMaced

oniahasstarted

–tobe

fina

nced

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der

the

Euro

pean

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on In

tegr

atio

n Fa

cilit

y (E

UIF

) to

ol,

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labl

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der

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ally

, th

e pr

ojec

t in

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eco

syst

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cro

ss-

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rea

(CBC

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v8)

as p

art

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he IP

A 2

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e be

twee

n Th

e Fo

rmer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

an

d Alba

niaoffi

ciallystarted

inJan

uary2018an

dwillla

st28

mon

ths.

The

Fun

d is

in p

artn

ersh

ip w

ith

Euro

part

ners

Dev

elop

-m

ent

from

Alb

ania

(Le

ad P

artn

er),

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iona

l Cen

ter

for

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va-

tion

and

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repr

eneu

rial

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rnin

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velo

pmen

t (N

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U)

from

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e Fo

rmer

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osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

and

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ncy

for

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arch

, Te

chno

logy

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vati

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rom

Alb

ania

(AR

Ti).

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e de

velo

ped

at a

late

r st

age

Securingthe

hum

anand

fina

ncialresou

rcesnee

dedfortheim

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entation

oftheAc

tion

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a. P

repa

re a

nee

ds a

sses

smen

t of

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ourc

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need

ed t

o im

plem

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the

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on P

lan

2017

MAP

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ckta

king

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ds A

sses

smen

t pr

epar

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re-

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nor

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ting

.5

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ong

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4

c. O

rgan

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h M

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ear

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sed

on 1

3 M

arch

201

8.5

74


Ann

ual R

epor

t on

Impl

emen

tati

on o

f th

e M

ulti

-Ann

ual A

ctio

n Pl

an f

or a

Reg

iona

l Eco

nom

ic A

rea

in W

este

rn B

alka

n Si

x

Regional Cooperation Council Secretariat

Trg Bosne i Hercegovine 1/V71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

T +387 33 561 700 F +387 33 561 701 E [email protected]

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RegionalCooperationCouncil

Annual Report onImplementation of theMulti-Annual Action Planfor a Regional Economic Areain Western Balkan Six

Documents

Annual Report on Implementation of the Multi-Annual Action ......Investment, Mobility and Digital Integration components of the MAP REA. Coordination, reporting and monitoring in each