Regional Co-operation Council
Encyclopedia
The Regional Cooperation Council, or RCC, is a regional cooperative framework for countries in South East Europe
, with the stated goal of "promoting mutual cooperation and European and Euro-Atlantic integration of South East Europe in order to inspire development in the region to the benefit of its people".
The RCC succeeded the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe
on 27 February 2008. It is an operational arm of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) and functions as a focal point for cooperation in South East Europe through a regionally owned and led framework. It also acts as a forum for the continued involvement of the international community engaged in the region.
In line with the RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2011-2013, the work of the organization focuses on the following priority areas:
The RCC membership consists of 46 countries, organizations and international financial institutions. The organization has a Secretariat based in Sarajevo
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
, headed by Secretary General Hido Biščević
, who has served since the founding of the Council and was appointed in May 2007 and reappointed in June 2010 by the SEECP foreign ministers. Apart from the Sarajevo headquarters, the Secretariat has a Liaison Office in Brussels with European and Euro-Atlantic institutions.
The RCC meeting format consists of the Annual Meeting and meetings of the RCC Board, held quarterly. The RCC Board provides operational guidance and supervision to the organization. It consists of those RCC members contributing to the budget of the RCC Secretariat as well as the European Union (EU), represented by the Troika consisting of the EU Presidency, the European Commission and the European Council Secretariat.
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} member states; represented by the Troika
, consisting of the EU Presidency, the European Commission
and the Council Secretariat, as well as the European Parliament
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*members of RCC Board
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, with the stated goal of "promoting mutual cooperation and European and Euro-Atlantic integration of South East Europe in order to inspire development in the region to the benefit of its people".
The RCC succeeded the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe
Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe
The Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe was an institution aimed at strengthening peace, democracy, human rights and economy in the countries of South Eastern Europe from 1999-2008. It was replaced by the Regional Co-operation Council in February 2008...
on 27 February 2008. It is an operational arm of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) and functions as a focal point for cooperation in South East Europe through a regionally owned and led framework. It also acts as a forum for the continued involvement of the international community engaged in the region.
In line with the RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2011-2013, the work of the organization focuses on the following priority areas:
- economic and social development
- infrastructure and energy
- justice and home affairs
- security cooperation
- building human capital and parliamentary cooperation
The RCC membership consists of 46 countries, organizations and international financial institutions. The organization has a Secretariat based in Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
, headed by Secretary General Hido Biščević
Hido Biščević
Hidajet Biščević is a Croatian diplomat, currently holding the office of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council...
, who has served since the founding of the Council and was appointed in May 2007 and reappointed in June 2010 by the SEECP foreign ministers. Apart from the Sarajevo headquarters, the Secretariat has a Liaison Office in Brussels with European and Euro-Atlantic institutions.
The RCC meeting format consists of the Annual Meeting and meetings of the RCC Board, held quarterly. The RCC Board provides operational guidance and supervision to the organization. It consists of those RCC members contributing to the budget of the RCC Secretariat as well as the European Union (EU), represented by the Troika consisting of the EU Presidency, the European Commission and the European Council Secretariat.
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“The Regional Cooperation Council works to generate development in South East Europe and create a political climate that will enable implementation of projects of regional character, to the benefit of the people in the region. We focus at enhancing economic and social progress, energy security, infrastructure, human security and rule of law, as well as renewing and building human potential of our part of Europe. Our main political task is to sustain and encourage European and Euro-Atlantic advancement of all of South East Europe.”
- Hido Biščević, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council
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- Members:
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Troika
The general meaning of the Russian and Bulgarian word troika is three of a kind, a collection of three or simply the number three. It may also mean:-Politics:* Troika of judges or political leaders...
, consisting of the EU Presidency, the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
and the Council Secretariat, as well as the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
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- International Organizations
- Council of EuropeCouncil of EuropeThe Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
- Council of Europe Development BankCouncil of Europe Development BankThe Council of Europe Development Bank dates from 1956, when the Council of Europe established the Resettlement Fund for National Refugees and Over-Population in Europe as a Partial Agreement...
- European Bank for Reconstruction and DevelopmentEuropean Bank for Reconstruction and DevelopmentFounded in 1991, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development uses the tools of investment to help build market economies and democracies in 30 countries from central Europe to central Asia. Its mission was to support the formerly communist countries in the process of establishing their...
- European Investment BankEuropean Investment BankThe European Investment Bank is the European Union's long-term lending institution established in 1958 under the Treaty of Rome. A policy-driven bank, the EIB supports the EU’s priority objectives, especially European integration and the development of economically weak regions...
- International Organization for MigrationInternational Organization for MigrationThe International Organization for Migration is an intergovernmental organization. It was initially established in 1951 as the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration to help resettle people displaced by World War II....
- NATO
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and DevelopmentOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and DevelopmentThe Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is an international economic organisation of 34 countries founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade...
- Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
- Southeast European Cooperative InitiativeSoutheast European Cooperative InitiativeThe Southeast European Cooperative Initiative, or the SECI, has been an initiative that, under the auspices of men like Erhard Busek and Richard Schifter, has been successful in providing stability in an unstable region and has found support in international organizations and countries...
- Council of Europe
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- United Nations Economic Commission for EuropeUnited Nations Economic Commission for EuropeThe United Nations Economic Commission for Europe was established in 1947 to encourage economic cooperation among its member states. It is one of five regional commissions under the administrative direction of United Nations headquarters. It has 56 member states, and reports to the UN Economic and...
- United Nations Development ProgrammeUnited Nations Development ProgrammeThe United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP operates in 177 countries, working with nations on their own solutions to...
- United Nations Interim Administration Mission in KosovoUnited Nations Interim Administration Mission in KosovoThe United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo or UNMIK is the interim civilian administration in Kosovo, under the authority of the United Nations. The mission was established on 10 June 1999 by Security Council Resolution 1244...
(UNMIK) on behalf of Kosovo in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244* - World BankWorld BankThe World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
*members of RCC Board