SOFIA (Bulgaria), June 25 (SeeNews) – The European Commission said on Monday it launched a digital agenda for the Western Balkans aiming to support the transition of the region into a digital economy.
The initiative ultimately aims 'to bring the benefits of the digital transformation, such as faster economic growth, more jobs, and better services,” the Commission said in a press release following a meeting on digitalisation processes held in Sofia.
“The aim of the event is to ensure that the citizens of the Western Balkan region can fully reap the benefits of the fast-paced and inevitable digital transformation,” EU commissioner for digital economy and society, Mariya Gabriel said.
The commitment to the digital agenda will ensure that citizens have the skills to match the demands of the new economy and will help modernise public administrations, strengthen cybersecurity, increase connectivity, and improve the business climate, Gabriel added
The Commission together with the six Western Balkan countries - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia and Serbia – agreed to invest in broadband connectivity, increase cybersecurity, trust and digitalisation of industry, strengthen the digital economy and society, and boost research and innovation, the statement reads.
“Given the scale of the investments required, the Commission is strongly committed to closely cooperating with all partners and Western Balkans authorities to explore how the digital agenda can be fully implemented,” the EU's executive body said.
The Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans is a joint effort of the six Western Balkans partners and the European Commission. It was presented in February as one of the six flagship initiatives of engagement objectives in the Communication on a credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans.