The Berlin Process was launched on August 28, 2014, by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The goals of the Process were described in the Final Declaration by the German Presidency: “To make additional real progress in the reform process, in resolving outstanding bilateral and internal issues and in achieving reconciliation within and between societies in the region, to increase regional economic cooperation and lay the foundations for sustainable growth”.

In addition to the six countries of the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia), EU member countries, under the leadership of Germany, participate in this process. The process has reached already several agreements, the free movement of citizens being a one, which were signed last year in Berlin.

These agreements are being implemented by the relevant national structures, which clearly shows the added value of the Berlin Process, compared to similar initiatives.

The Berlin process has four objectives stated at the beginning of this process and which remain unchanged: (1) the solution of internal, open bilateral problems between the countries of the Western Balkans, (2) the reconciliation between societies in the region, (3) the improvement of regional economic cooperation and finally (4) the creation of a basis for the sustainable growth of the region. Other achievements of the Berlin Process are the Green Corridors, within the region and between it and EU member states, which have facilitated economic growth and regional integration.

The implementation of the Regional Roaming Agreement is expected to reduce the costs of mobile communication between the countries of the Western Balkans and with the EU member countries and strengthening the connections among people.

Addressing open bilateral and internal problems within the Western Balkans and achieving reconciliation within and between its societies remain challenges for the Berlin Process.

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