Skopje, 12 April 2024 (MIA) - The reduction of roaming data prices between Western Balkan countries and the EU are the biggest benefit of the Berlin Process, including the free wireless internet services in public spaces for the Western Balkans, as an initiative of the European Commission within the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

This is the assessment of First Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj made during Friday's meeting with representatives of telecommunication operators, which, according to the Secretariat for European Affairs, was attended by officials of the Ministry of Information Society and Administration, Makedonski Telekom, A1 Macedonia, Agency for Electronic Communications (AEC), and the National Broadband Competence Office.

In a statement after the meeting, Marichikj said the Declaration signed at the EU Western Balkans Summit in Tirana in December 2022, kick-started the process for reducing roaming costs in the region and towards Europe.

"Implementation of the Declaration for roaming data is a promising. Operators from the Western Balkans did not only meet the price range for 2023, but exceeded expectations. They're now offering packages below the price threshold in the 2026 plan, which signals significant progress. Moreover, in North Macedonia, opportunities have opened up for further alignment of prices according to local standards for greater availability and accessibility for consumers. By fostering continuous dialogue and cooperation, we can collectively tackle all new challenges and seize opportunities for further improvement and deliver results to citizens," Marichikj stressed.

He added that as a result of the Growth Plan and the new methodology for accession negotiations, at the last EU Summit with Western Balkans leaders, one of the benefits was the Wi-Fi zone for the Western Balkans, i.e. creating a wireless internet network for public spaces in the Western Balkans.

"It is a measure to encourage local communities in the region to become more connected to citizens, enabling them to benefit from the endless possibilities of digitization, as a concrete step towards a common digital market. For the implementation of this measure, the Government has already adopted the recommendation for the implementation of public Wi-Fi points, in consultation with the Association of the Units of Local Self-Government (ZELS) and local governments. Such steps that cannot be delayed on our path to EU, from which, as you can see, there is no withdrawal, but only the maintenance of continuity," Marichikj noted. ssh/nn/

Photo: Secretariat for European Affairs