Berlin Process
The goals of the Process were outlined in the Final Declaration by the German Chair: “To make additional real progress in the reform process, in resolving outstanding bilateral and internal issues, and in achieving reconciliation within and between the societies in the region”, as well as to enhance “regional economic cooperation and lay the foundations for sustainable growth”.
The Process is taking place with support of the European Commission, international financial institutions and the Member States involved in the Process – Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and the United Kingdom. It is supplementary to the individual countries’ institutional EU integration process, based on the adoption of the acquis communautaire.
The Process’s connectivity agenda refers to linking the people (social dimension), economies (economic dimension) and states (political dimension) of the region. Within this agenda, the Process has thus far yielded initiatives and projects in the fields of transport and infrastructure, economic connectivity, youth cooperation and cooperation among businesses and among the civil societies of the Western Balkans. It also inspired intergovernmental cooperation through entities set up during its course: the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), the Western Balkans Chambers Investment Forum (WBCIF) and the Western Balkans Fund (WBF).
Alongside the meetings of the highest governmental officials (Western Balkan Summit Series), the Berlin Process encompasses the meetings of the representatives of regional civil society organisations (Civil Society Forum of the Western Balkan Summit Series), youth organisations (Youth Forum) and business associations (Business Forum).
Western Balkan Summits
Yearly gatherings of Prime Ministers and other high dignitaries of the Western Balkans’ countries with their counterparts from the European Union and the Member States participating in the Process.
- London 2018
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Chair’s Conclusions of the Heads’ meeting of the London Western Balkans Summit
Chair’s Conclusions of the Foreign Ministers meeting of the London Western Balkans Summit
Chairs’ Conclusions of the Economy Ministers’ Meeting of the London Western Balkans Summit
Berlin Process – Security Commitments Steering Group Terms of Reference
Anti-Corruption Country Commitments – Albania
Anti-Corruption Statement – Bosnia and Herzegovina
Country Commitments of the Government of Kosovo in the Field of Anti-Corruption
- Trieste 2017
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Declaration by the Italian Chair
Treaty Establishing Transport Community
Consolidated Multi-annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area in the Western Balkans Six
- Paris 2016
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Final Declaration by the Chair of the Paris Western Balkans Summit
Western Balkan Sustainable Charter
Agreement on the establishment of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office
- Vienna 2015
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Final Declaration by the Chair of the Vienna Western Balkans Summit
- Berlin 2014
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Final Declaration by the Chair of the Conference on the Western Balkans
Western Balkans Summit Poznań. Chair’s conclusions
Civil Society Forum
A platform through which the Western Balkans civil society provides input in the Berlin Process, by elaboration of regionally relevant issues and policies, and by monitoring of progress in realisation of the Process goals and initiatives. The yearly and interim meetings and workshops, and an on-line consultation interface, provide opportunities for vast consultative processes and for expert-guided formulation of policy recommendations to decision-makers in the region. The Civil Society Forum is coordinated by the European Fund for the Balkans
- London 2018
- Vienna 2018 (Working Groups Meeting)
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CSF Policy Brief No. 04/18 – Gender Issues in the Western Balkans
CSF Policy Brief No. 03/18 – Legacy Issues in the Western Balkans
CSF Policy Brief No. 02/18 – Economic Stability Issues in the Western Balkans
CSF Policy Brief No. 01/18 – Regional Cooperation in the Western Balkans
- Pristina 2017 (interim)
- Trieste 2017
- Tirana 2017 (interim)
- Skopje 2016 (interim)
- Paris 2016
- Belgrade 2016 (interim)
- Vienna 2015
Discussion points from the Think Tank Forum and Civil Society Forum of the Poznan Summit
CSF Policy Brief No. 05/19 – Civil Society and Youth Engagement in the Western Balkans
CSF Policy Brief No. 03/19 – Economic Issues in the Western Balkans
CSF Policy Brief No. 02/19 – Twelve Proposals for EU Enlargement from the Western Balkans
CSF Policy Brief No. 01/19 – Western Balkan Local Communities in the Process of EU Integration
Business Forum
A forum bringing together the representatives of businesses and their associations from across the Western Balkans with distinguished economists and decision-makers from the region, the EU and the Member States. The Forum serves as a platform for consideration of regional challenges and opportunities and for launching joint initiatives.s
Youth Forum
A platform for exchange and dialogue, where young people, youth organisations, academia and decision-makers from the Western Balkans and the EU Member States discuss common challenges and work towards finding joint solutions.