THIS year, the roaming agreement should come into effect, according to which we will pay for all mobile phone calls, as well as mobile internet usage, in the Western Balkans and the EU at the same prices we pay in our own countries. The same rule, let us recall, has already been in force among EU member states for some time.

This was announced today on Twitter by MP Bojan Glavašević, who said that the idea has existed for a long time, but is now close to being realized.

“Today, a committee for European affairs was held in parliament, at which State Secretary Andreja Metelko Zgombić said that the main agreement has already been signed, but a few more smaller agreements still need to be signed. When asked when this should be implemented, that is, enter into force, she said – this year,” Glavašević told us, adding that political will for such an agreement has existed for some time.

Which countries will the agreement apply to? 

According to Glavašević, the agreement should include all Western Balkan countries (Serbia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina…) that are in any way involved in the process of accession to the European Union. 

“It is part of a broader idea about the accession process. Work on this was being done while Croatia held the presidency of the European Union. The idea was to create a modified accession process, meaning that when countries meet certain criteria, their citizens can already enjoy some benefits even before entering the Union,” said Glavašević.

When we asked which prices the agreement would apply to, that is, whether it concerns both telephone calls and internet traffic, Glavašević answered in the affirmative. “However, there will also be a safeguard clause, which will prevent, for example, someone from Croatia from taking out a subscription in Serbia and then paying lower, dumping prices,” Glavašević told us.

Source: index.hr