EU ambassadors approve talks to end roaming charges with Western Balkans

European Union ambassadors have given the green light to begin negotiations on eliminating roaming charges for mobile users in the Western Balkans. The Council of the EU is scheduled to formally adopt this decision on June 4, initiating separate talks with Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia.

This move aligns with the European Commission's February proposal to implement "Roam Like at Home" for the Western Balkan region. This policy, already successful within the EU and European Economic Area since 2017, allows users to make calls, send texts, and use data at domestic rates while traveling in other member states. The EU has also extended this benefit to Ukraine and Moldova.

Officials anticipate that negotiations could conclude by the end of the year, with the potential for roaming charges to be abolished as early as next year. However, the timeline depends on the willingness of the Western Balkan countries to advance these discussions. The Cyprus presidency of the EU strongly supports the region's European path, viewing the expansion of the no-roaming zone as a clear commitment to the Western Balkans.

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The expansion of the no-roaming zone is a clear sign of our commitment to the region. We look forward to the formal adoption of the decision authorizing the opening of negotiations on agreements.