Tirana, December 16, 2024—Today, the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) presented the results of the SecuriMeter 2024 survey at an event held in Tirana, attended by government representatives, diplomats, international organizations, security professionals and the media.
SecuriMeter 2024 provides an overview of public perception on security, governance and trust in the Western Balkans, providing important information to formulate strategies for the future of the region.
"Today we are not just presenting a report; we are amplifying the voices of thousands of citizens from the Western Balkans. Their stories remind us that security is not just a political priority – it is a shared responsibility. These findings push us to act, not with hesitation, but with urgency and determination," said the General Secretary of the RCC, Majlinda Bregu, at the opening of the event.
The survey, conducted with 6,000 respondents across the region, shows a complex picture:
Only 39% of citizens think that the Western Balkans is a safe place to live, highlighting ongoing security concerns;
48% fear that a war could occur between the economies of the Western Balkans, reflecting ongoing tensions;
59% of citizens feel personally safe, but broader regional insecurity remains;
36% see depopulation as a big problem, while 23% are planning or are in the process of emigrating;
83% believe that corruption is widespread, emphasizing the need for governance reforms.
The results also highlight significant gendered security concerns, with 66% of women identifying domestic violence as a significant threat and 54% seeing sexual harassment as a real concern. According to statistics available in the region, on average one woman is killed every week. “These are not just statistics; they are calls to action. Women's safety is a foundation of any safe and just society," emphasized Majlinda Bregu.
SecuriMeter 2024 data provides a roadmap for addressing these challenges through strengthening regional cooperation, targeted policies and confidence-building initiatives.
The General Secretary of the RCC emphasized the need for:
Visible progress to restore public confidence, with only 31% of citizens believing the region will be safer in the next 12 months;
Effective interventions to address corruption, organized crime and institutional weaknesses;
Comprehensive policies to address depopulation, gender security issues and economic challenges;
Deeper integration into the EU and NATO, as 31% of citizens recognize NATO's role in regional stability.
Majlinda Bregu also reflected on the RCC's achievements during her tenure, highlighting progress in cyber security, arms control and regional cooperation. "By working together, we are not only strengthening security for the Western Balkans, but contributing to a more stable and united Europe."
The presentation included a dynamic panel discussion, moderated by the well-known journalist Lutfi Dervishi.
Present at the panel were: Zhidas Daskalovski, Director of the "Mother Teresa" School of Political Studies; Alida Vračić, Executive Director of Populari; and Agon Maliqi, Political Analyst and Co-Founder of Sbunker.net.
The panel considered practical steps to translate the report's findings into actionable policies, focusing on governance, trust and regional security.
Since its creation in 2021, SecuriMeter has provided invaluable insights into public perceptions, serving as a tool for politicians to create evidence-based responses to emerging challenges. This year's survey underscores the interconnected nature of security issues in the Western Balkans and the critical need for joint solutions. Funded by Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, SecuriMeter is one of RCC's flagship efforts to link perceptions to policy.
For more information on the findings and the full report, visit www.rcc.int/securimeter . (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
