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News archive - [Event Announcement] 2018 Western Balkan Summit (Berlin Process) to be held in London

The Western Balkans Process – also known as the Berlin Process – is a joint initiative of 13 European countries and the European Commission. It supports the efforts to integrate the region into the European Union and foster regional cooperation. The Process covers areas such as resolution of bilateral disputes, endorsement of rule of law, connectivity and economic development as well as strengthening the cooperation in education, science (research and innovation) and inter-societal dialogue. The upcoming Summit is expected to be held on July 10, 2018 in London.

On regional and national level the preparations towards the Western Balkan Summit are ongoing.

So for example, Mr. Goran Svilanovic, Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Secretary General met with UK’s Foreign Office and Commonwealth officials Fiona McIlwham, Peter Bainbridge, Director and Deputy Director of Western Balkans Department (EuD - WBD),  Andrew Page, Western Balkans Summit 2018 Coordinator and Andrew Staunton, Member of the core team for organisation of the Summit to discuss the upcoming Western Balkans Summit in London, hosted by the Foreign Office, as a part of the Berlin Process initiative. 

Svilanovic expressed his appreciation over the UK’s support and commitment to Berlin process and EU enlargement to the Western Balkans: “Upcoming Western Balkans Summit in London in 2018 will reaffirm region’s commitment to continue implementing the reforms undertaken at this year’s summit in Trieste but also review the progress made since then. The Prime Ministers agreed that regional cooperation and stepping up the necessary reforms are the way ahead towards the EU membership. Specifically, they focused on Trade, Investment, Mobility and Digital Integration (MAP), a part of the Multi-Annual Action Plan for Regional Economic Area as a comprehensive set of measures needed for economic and social progress of their societies.”

Mr. Andrew Page underlined that despite the already commenced BREXIT negotiations, the UK will continue its strong support to the Western Balkans economies in their EU integration efforts. Highlighting the progress achieved in the Berlin process so far, UK intends to build upon it seeking for new areas and projects that can bring an added value. By consulting with different stakeholders, UK will be exploring possibilities to complement the activities, which the incoming Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU is envisaging in its ambitious Western Balkans agenda.
 
The two sides reflected on ideas how to set up the London Summit in pursuit of concrete deliverables and increased regional ownership, agreeing to stay in close contact in the run up to the Forum.
 
Source: RCC

Background:

On invitation of the German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel, the launching summit of the Western Balkans Process on the level of heads and state and government was held on 28 August 2014 in Berlin. The following summits were held on 27 August 2015 in Vienna (Austria) and on 4 July 2016 in Paris (France). The 4th Western Balkans Summit convenes on 12 July 2017 in Trieste (Italy), with the United Kingdom planning to host the 2018 summit.

14 parties are currently involved in the Process: Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Kosovo*, FYRo Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia and the United Kingdom as well as the European Commission.

Source and further information about the Berlin Process and in particular Joint Science Conference in this framework:  WBP - Joint Science Conference. You are invited to check also WBC-RTI.info selection of the articles related to Berlin Process / Joint Science Conference so far.

 

Geographical focus
  • Western Balkans
Scientifc field / Thematic focus
  • Cross-thematic/Interdisciplinary
Related articles:

Entry created by Admin WBC-RTI.info on December 27, 2017
Modified on December 29, 2017