The latest edition of the Balkan Barometer – an annual survey of attitudes, experiences and perceptions across the economies covered by the Regional Cooperation Council’s South East Europe (SEE) 2020 Strategy for Jobs and Prosperity in a European Perspective – was released during a public discussion event at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.

The Balkan Barometer rounds up the views of the general public and also of the business community on the main socio-economic trends in the region, business and investments climate and the expectations of the European integration process. The survey is conducted by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC).

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati and the RCC Secretary General Goran Svilanovic welcomed the survey, noting that the key findings of the Balkan Barometer provide a clearer picture of the view of stakeholders that will be at the heart of decision-making reforms.

In his opening remarks on the presentation of the Balkan Barometer 2016, Foreign Minister Bushati noted that this important survey shows the citizens’ views and perception on the ongoing reforms.

“The country’s democratization and economic development process are of a paramount importance. The EU has expectations of the reforms we have embarked on,” Bushati said.

“The European integration is the transforming and modernization power of the country and the entire region. It is important to share the citizens’ views on the reforms that have direct impact on their lives,” Bushati added.

The RCC Secretary General Goran Svilanovic voiced confidence that EU will launch the accession talks with Albania in a very near future.

“The Balkan Barometer is a powerful monitoring tool. We are closely monitoring the overall developments and the pace of reform in the Western Balkans as well as the key priorities as seen by the region’s citizens and businesses,” Svilanovic said.

The Balkan Barometer, published for the first time in 2015, surveys citizens and businesses in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia and Macedonia, on a wide range of issues dealing with the political, socio-economic, business and investment climate, infrastructure, rule of law and other developments in the region.