Regional Cooperation Council

The Regional Cooperation Council, or RCC, is a regional cooperative framework for countries in South East Europe, with the stated goal of "promoting mutual cooperation and European and Euro-Atlantic integration of South East Europe in order to inspire development in the region to the benefit of its people".

The RCC succeeded the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe on 27 February 2008. It is an operational arm of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) and functions as a focal point for cooperation in South East Europe through a regionally owned and led framework. It also acts as a forum for the continued involvement of the international community engaged in the region.

In line with the RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2011-2013, the work of the organization focuses on the following priority areas:

The RCC membership consists of 46 countries, organizations and international financial institutions. The organization has a Secretariat based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina[1], headed by Secretary General Hido Biščević, who has served since the founding of the Council and was appointed in May 2007 and reappointed in June 2010 by the SEECP foreign ministers. Apart from the Sarajevo headquarters, the Secretariat has a Liaison Office in Brussels with European and Euro-Atlantic institutions.

The RCC meeting format consists of the Annual Meeting and meetings of the RCC Board, held quarterly. The RCC Board provides operational guidance and supervision to the organization. It consists of those RCC members contributing to the budget of the RCC Secretariat as well as the European Union (EU), represented by the Troika consisting of the EU Presidency, the European Commission and the European Council Secretariat.


“The Regional Cooperation Council works to generate development in South East Europe and create a political climate that will enable implementation of projects of regional character, to the benefit of the people in the region. We focus at enhancing economic and social progress, energy security, infrastructure, human security and rule of law, as well as renewing and building human potential of our part of Europe. Our main political task is to sustain and encourage European and Euro-Atlantic advancement of all of South East Europe.”

- Hido Biščević, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council


*members of RCC Board

References

  1. ^ Balkan regional council has big hopes despite political tensions

Entering the Yugosphere (The Economist)

New deal for the Balkans: EU gives € 600 million (Nacional)

External links