The promotion of the regional study "Economic and European Perspectives of Western Balkan Countries"

On 5 February 2013, the regional study about the role of parliaments and governments in promoting economic growth in the Western Balkan countries, titled “Economic and European Perspectives of Western Balkan Countries,” was presented in the National Assembly.

The study is a part of the project supported by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy to support the development of the Network of Parliamentary committees for economy and Finance of Western Balkan countries. The President of the National Assembly, Nebojša Stefanović, MA, opened the gathering and emphasized that the exchange of ideas and positive experiences among the Western Balkan countries in the reforms and European integration process is of excellent importance, whereas economic cooperation is the priority. Aleksandra Tomić, the President of the Committee for the economy, regional development, trade, tourism, and energy industry, said that the study presented a review of the business environment in the region, the practice of regulatory reforms, and desirable plan for future activities which the Western Balkan countries should take over to overcome the economic problems.

Vladanka Avirović, a Chairman of the Network of parliamentary committees for Economy and Finance of the Western Balkan countries, a delegate of the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia, and Aleksandar Damjanović, the President of the Committee for Financial System and public expenditure of the Parliament of Montenegro, also addressed the participants. They indicated the importance of regional cooperation, especially inter-parliamentary cooperation, for making progress and economic development in Western Balkan countries.

Alex Romaniuc, Director of the European program of Westminster Foundation for Democracy, found that regional cooperation, as a critical factor, carried out through the Network of parliamentary committees for Economy and Finance of the Western Balkan countries is created in the region, and it works for the region. This presents the message that the Western Balkan is ready to take over the responsibility and initiative for overcoming the problems.

Slavica Penev, the author of the study “Economic and European Perspectives of Western Balkan Countries,” presenting the regional study, said that it gives the database and the realistic situation of the region. She declared that very successful cooperation was realized among the parliaments in the region.

Milica Delević, the President of the Committee for European Integration, emphasized that the Western Balkan countries are in the process of euro integration and internal reforms and that the study gives a very good adjacent view of realized reforms and the characteristics of each society.

Professor Fikret Čaušević from the Faculty of Economics, Sarajevo, and Professor Vlastimir Vuković from the Institute of Economic Sciences in Belgrade also spoke about the study.

The presentation was attended by parliamentarians, government representatives, and experts from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Macedonia, as well as the representatives of international organizations. The guests were shown the film about the Network of parliamentary committees for Economy and Finance of the Western Balkans countries, which was formed in 2009 at the regional and parliamentary conference in Belgrade to promote cooperation between the parliaments in the region.