Kosovo may soon start negotiations with the EU to abolish roaming

It remains for the EU Council to approve the decision tomorrow (Thursday), without discussion, after which Kosovo and other countries in the region can begin individual negotiations with the EU for their inclusion in the EU roaming system called "Roam like at home".

On the eve of the European Union (EU) summit with the countries of the Western Balkans region in Tivat, Montenegro, which takes place on Friday, the ambassadors of the EU member states, at their meeting in Brussels, have approved the decision to authorize the launch of negotiations with the countries of the region on the abolition of roaming.

Now it remains for the EU Council to approve this decision without discussion tomorrow (Thursday), after which Kosovo and other countries in the region can begin individual negotiations with the EU for their inclusion in the EU roaming system called "Roam like at home".

The idea is for the negotiations to be concluded before the end of this year, if possible, and after that, Kosovo citizens, when traveling to EU countries, or the diaspora coming to Kosovo from the EU, will not pay for the use of their mobile phones, but will be able to use them as if they were at home.

Such a system already exists among EU countries, and the EU wants to include the Western Balkans in this system.

According to this decision, negotiations would be held separately with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Once the relevant agreements with these countries are finalized, the date of entry into force would be set.

Roaming charges have long been abolished among EU countries. Similarly, countries in the Western Balkan region have reduced or abolished roaming charges among themselves. The EU now wants to abolish these charges between the European Union and the countries of the Balkan region as well.

The European Commission has argued that with this, the EU wants to further integrate the countries of the Western Balkans region. This possibility, through the gradual integration of the region into the EU's common market, is also foreseen in the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, adopted in 2023.

Citizens of the region during visits to EU countries, as well as millions of European tourists visiting the Balkan countries, will benefit from the opportunity to use the telephone without additional charges.

"Today we are taking an important step for partners in the Western Balkans on the path towards inclusion in the EU roaming family. This is good news for citizens, but also for business in the region," said Henna Virkkunen, European Commission Vice-President for Technology.

This news was also appreciated by the Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, when the Commission made the proposal.

"Roaming prices are a problem for people across the Western Balkans. Those costs affect workers or families who regularly cross the border or simply those who want to stay in touch. Surprise bills or increased costs are something that no longer exist in the EU. Today we are proposing to extend this opportunity to the Western Balkans. This will bring easier calls and the possibility of using the internet at costs like at home", said Marta Kos.

The Cypriot Presidency of the EU has also welcomed this decision by the ambassadors of the member states.

"The Cypriot Presidency strongly supports the European path of the Western Balkans. The expansion of the roaming space like at home is a clear sign of our commitment to the region. We await the formal approval of the decision to launch negotiations," said the spokesperson for the Cypriot Presidency.

In Brussels, they estimate that, if there is willingness from partners in Kosovo and countries in the region, the goal of eliminating roaming charges could be achieved as early as next year.