Interoperability Is Key to Connecting the Western Balkans and Integrating Them into the EU

Digital transformation is not only about technology, but also about improving how institutions operate and making public services more accessible. Western Balkan countries, which have made progress at the national level, must now establish interoperability at the regional level, with trust among public administrations, common standards and cooperation being essential. Naim Gjokaj, State Secretary at the Ministry of Public Administration, stressed that digital transformation means improving institutional operations, making public services more accessible and easier to use, creating new opportunities for businesses and ultimately improving citizens’ daily lives. Elena de Bortoli, Programme Manager at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST), noted that some countries have already developed portals, registers and electronic identification systems, representing important progress, but that the time has come to enable cross-border cooperation and interoperability. She said that if the goal is to achieve interoperability among all electronic systems in the Western Balkan countries during the EU accession process, this can first be achieved at the regional level and then at the EU level. Erkand Kola, Senior Expert on Trade in Services at the CEFTA Secretariat, said the region has already made progress in establishing interoperability nationally, but is still unable to enable cross-border transactions for citizens and businesses. Goce Armenski, Regional Interoperability Expert in Skopje, said it is essential for countries to develop the capacity needed to establish a common regional market and join the European market, adding that none of this can be achieved without effective cooperation among public administrations.