The participants in the Berlin Process for the Western Balkans, which the Federal Government launched in 2014, are working together to foster cooperation between the six countries in the region. The aim is to support them in forging closer ties with the European Union.

Seven years after the informal Berlin Process began, Germany is now returning to the role of host. Issues on the agenda for the Foreign Ministers’ meeting on 8 June included concrete approaches to improving connectivity in the region and current negotiations in this regard, reform processes for improving the countries’ EU perspective, unresolved bilateral issues and – inevitably – how health and the economy are faring in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

An initial part of the broad-based civil society forum, another key element of the Berlin Process, was held a few days ago under the motto “Road to Berlin”. Minister of State Michael Roth and State Secretary Miguel Berger took part. This event allowed civil society representatives to develop analyses and concrete proposals which they will now present to the Foreign Ministers. In the coming weeks, further meetings will be held between the Interior Ministers, Health Ministers and Economy Ministers of the participating countries – all in the run-up to the Berlin Process summit on 5 July, which will also take place online. A ministerial meeting dedicated to the situation of the Roma as well as a youth forum will round off the programme of events hosted by Germany.

You can read the speech delivered at the occasion by Heiko Maas here.

Watch the press confererence after the meeting here

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