This is the third report produced by Cooperation and Development Institute in the framework of its "Berlin Process Series". Started in 2014 in Berlin, the Berlin process has provided a unique contribution to WB6 regional cooperation, to investments in regional connectivity infrastructure, and to the reforms engaged by WB6. 

More than complementing the Enlargement, the Berlin Process de-facto uses its achievements. As such it is an outcome-oriented process focused on two main pillars: connectivity and regional political cooperation. Its endeavors do not aim specifically the establishment of the rule of law, adoption of acquis communautaire, institution building or market economies in the Balkans.

The Berlin Process builds up on the achievements of the Enlargement and on the advancement of reforms engaged by WB6 countries. The success of Connectivity Agenda or WB6 regional cooperation depends on the progress of each country in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria and on sustaining the reform path. The quality of infrastructure projects submitted to IFI for financing reflects the degree of development of institutions built in the Balkans during the last 20 years. Their successful implementation is an indicator of the state of the rule of law applied in this region. The achievements in regional cooperation reflect the maturity and the alignment of Balkan politicians and policy-makers with the EU policies.

Being an outcome-oriented process, the Berlin Process focuses the attention of Enlargement actors on the tangible results of reforms and on how they impact the situation on the ground. Its success indicators go beyond normative and institutional achievements, to reflect the situation faced by enterprises or citizen in the Western Balkans. Placed in this unique position, the Berlin process allows for thorough debates on the performance of WB6 on their way EU. Those debates have already contributed to streamline the Enlargement approach, as illustrated by the Enlargement Strategy 2018.

The last WB6 Summit in Trieste in July 2017 confirmed the EU perspective of the WB6 countries. The new 2018 Enlargement Strategy has set the year 2025 as a target date for full accession of first WB6 countries. Connectivity projects have broken ground and at least four regional cooperation institutions have been established or are in the process of being set up. Western Balkans Six has become the dimension of reference for business decisions regarding investments or market strategies. On their road to full EU membership, the Berlin Process dynamics is a major contributor of physically linking WB6 through roads and energy systems, as wells as through joint institutions and human relations.