This year, the focus will be on key issues such as the green agenda, climate, energy and energy security, as well as the development of the regional common market. The six Western Balkan countries have held intensive negotiations on the regional common market in recent weeks at the Federal Foreign Office, under the chairmanship of the special representative of the federal government. Manuel Sarrazin. Their discussions focused on the possible conclusion of regional mobility agreements on the freedom to travel with identity cards and the recognition of university diplomas and professional certificates. These are all important measures that would tangibly improve the lives of people in the region and promote economic development in the region.
Civil society also present
Other participants include the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) and representatives of civil society. Last year, RYCO carried out a large school exchange project (Superschools), in which more than 800 students participated. Some of them will speak about the reconciliation work carried out by young people in the region during the meeting of foreign ministers.
Part of the Berlin process ahead of the November summit
The six Western Balkan countries will be joined by the EU, the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Poland, Slovenia and the United Kingdom during the meeting at the Weltsaal of Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition to the meeting of foreign ministers, there will also be a meeting of interior ministers in Berlin on October 20 and a meeting of economics and energy ministers on October 24. A civil society forum and a youth forum will also be organized. This series of meetings will conclude with a summit meeting hosted by the Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz on November 3.
Process launched in 2014
Launched in 2014, the Berlin Process aims to strengthen and deepen regional integration in and with the Western Balkans. Strengthened regional cooperation remains essential for economic growth and peace in the region. The Berlin Process also aims to help accelerate the closer alignment of the entire region on the EU. In this context, it focuses on areas such as infrastructure development, business, regional youth exchanges, reconciliation and science. Successes of the Berlin Process to date include the creation of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), the regional roaming agreement and the establishment of so-called greenways, which have facilitated expedited customs clearance of important goods at borders during the COVID-19 pandemic. pandemic.
