RYCO Secretary General Albert Hani participated today at the Regional Summit on Growth and Convergence Plan, organized by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana.
This high-level meeting gathered together political leaders from the region and EU, including European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, to discuss key reforms and investments in WB region under the Growth Plan.
The summit was an opportunity for leaders to exchange views on common regional challenges and argument on key reforms needed in order to access funding under the new Growth Plan worth €6 billion, and progress further in EU path.
Along with reforms and investments, Growth Plan brings great opportunities for youth in the Western Balkan region, facilitating mobility, recognition of academic qualifications, travel and youth exchanges. By improving access to quality education and removing barriers to learning, Growth Plan will enable full participation of the WB in the European Education Area and support further regional and transnational cooperation.
Participation of SG Hani at this Summit confirms important role of RYCO in this process, and it is not the first time that EU recognized RYCO’s role in enhancing cooperation and reconciliation among young people in the Western Balkans, as organization has been previously praised during the EU-WB Summit Declaration in December last year.
For the past seven and a half years, RYCO is promoting spirit of reconciliation and cooperation between the youth in the region through youth exchange programs and numerous others programs and activities.