Minister Tone Kajzer received Regional Cooperation Council Secretary General Amer Kapetanović

26. 10. 2026

Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs

Minister Tone Kajzer received the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Amer Kapetanović, for an introductory meeting. The two high officials exchanged views on the current political and security situation in the Western Balkans, the region’s prospects of joining the EU and the role of regional cooperation in the rapprochement of the Western Balkans countries to the EU.

The two people shake hands. — Minister Kajzer received the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Amer Kapetanović | Author Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs

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Minister Kajzer emphasised that the Western Balkans remain a strategic priority for Slovenian foreign policy. Slovenia strongly supports a credible EU enlargement process based on candidate countries fulfilling the criteria and making progress. In this context, he highlighted the importance of the Berlin Process, the implementation of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, establishing a common regional market and strengthening regional connectivity. He placed particular emphasis on the need to create favourable opportunities for young people in the region: “Without security and mutual trust, the conditions for economic cooperation and investment are not met. At the same time, it is important that our projects for young people in the region deliver tangible results.”

Secretary General Kapetanović thanked Slovenia for its consistent support for EU enlargement to the Western Balkans, adding that Slovenia’s in-depth knowledge of the region and long-standing commitment to its European integration make it an important and trustworthy advocate of the enlargement process.

The two high officials also discussed reconciliation, good neighbourly relations and resolving outstanding bilateral issues, including the implementation of the Agreement on Succession Issues. Minister Kajzer said that sincere political dialogue and respect for the rule of law are essential for long-term stability and progress in the region on its path to Europe.

He welcomed the RCC’s contribution to strengthening the region's cyber resilience, particularly within the framework of the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre. Finally, he reaffirmed Slovenia’s continued support for the RCC’s work, emphasising that regional cooperation is an important complement to, rather than a substitute for, the process of integrating the Western Balkan countries into the EU.