EU Takes Step Toward Including Western Balkans in 'Roam Like at Home' Framework

Charles Platiau / Reuters

A spokesperson for the European Commission stated that the Commission is assisting Western Balkan countries in aligning with EU roaming regulations, a necessary step toward joining the EU roaming area.

Following the Council of the European Union’s approval of a proposal to integrate the Western Balkan states into the EU’s “Roam Like at Home” framework, the Commission will begin negotiating agreements with the relevant countries.

This initiative represents an important step toward the digital integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union. The pace of implementation, however, will depend heavily on cooperation and coordination between the EU and the individual states involved.

Although limited in scope, the initiative reflects the EU’s continued commitment to advancing the Western Balkans’ integration into the Union. This it yet another effort to gradually integrate Western Balkan countries into the EU: providing practical benefits for citizens and businesses ahead of full membership while remaining consistent with the enlargement process.

The long process of enlargement has many questioning if the EU will ever open its doors to the Western Balkan countries. While EU membership still remains in the distant future for some, EU ‘Roam Like at Home’ is a step in the right direction.