The European perspective of the Western Balkans ahead of the Council summits in June, regional cooperation, implementation of the Multi-annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area in synergy with the European Commission’s Economic and Investment Plan were in the focus of the ministerial meeting within the 2021 Berlin Process German Presidency on Tuesday, attended by Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani.
The meeting, chaired by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, also discussed ongoing processes of drafting regional agreements on recognition of professional and academic qualifications and free movement and work in the region, as well as the initiative for enlargement of the green lanes with the EU, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.
“We have had a long journey together and achieved significant results in mutual cooperation – to be linked from an economic, political, security and social aspect. This agenda that was in the core of the process evolved in broader networking, beyond infrastructure terms. Involvement of the Western Balkans in an active and dynamic accession process will fully engage societies in creating new values, progress and positive competition. Regional cooperation is becoming increasingly important – to demonstrate ownership and common political leadership. We are relatively small economies but we are strong together,” said FM Osmani.
He referred to last year’s Berlin Process joint presidency of North Macedonia and Bulgaria as a positive example of good neighborliness and bilateral cooperation, which culminated at the Sofia Summit that produced a number of initiatives and opened new fields of regional cooperation.
Osmani presented North Macedonia’s idea over exchange of young diplomats in the region, towards networking and strengthened cooperation of the coming generation, with the objective of further reconciliation, building trust and toppling barriers. He also informed on the recent initiative to launch an informal platform for political cooperation – Balkan 6 (B6) in the format of ministers of foreign affairs, focusing on enhancement of cooperation and ties among regional countries in areas of mutual interest.
“Experience has shown that when consulting each other ahead of various meetings, we have a larger influence on issues in our common interest. I sincerely believe that holding regular meetings and coordination will become a rule, not an exception,” noted Osmani.
In addition to Osmani, other participants include foreign ministers of Western Balkan countries within the Berlin Process – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia, and Montenegro, and of EU members Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Poland, Slovenia, France, Croatia, as well as the United Kingdom. European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi also addressed the event.
Conclusions from the meeting should be included in the final declaration of the closing summit of heads of state and government, slated for July 5.
