04/04/2019 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 4 April, at the Second Western Balkans Digital Summit in Belgrade, Serbia, Telecommunications Ministers from the Western Balkan countries signed a regional agreement to end roaming in the Western Balkans. This agreement will need to be implemented in two stages: during the first phase, the costs of data transfer, calls and SMS will be reduced by 25% to 30%. From 2021 onwards, roaming charges will then be completely abolished throughout the region. According to the Regional Cooperation Council, this decision will pave the way for further reductions in roaming costs between the economies of these countries and the European Union. The next step, he said, should be an agreement over the mutual recognition of professional qualifications of doctors, dentists, architects and engineers, which is to be signed at the Poznan summit in July. (SPj)