10 years after the Berlin process, the leaders of the Western Balkans gather today in the German capital

2024-10-14 08:08:17Politikë SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
10 years after the Berlin process, the leaders of the Western Balkans gather
Edi Rama and Olaf Scholz

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is gathering today in Berlin the leaders of the Western Balkans on the 10th anniversary of the Berlin Process.

Prime Minister Edi Rama and representatives of 5 other countries of the Western Balkans, from Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia will be present at the summit. 

The initiative launched in 2014 by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel marks its 10th anniversary. Officials and representatives of EU countries will also join the summit, while the focus of the summit will be the further deepening of regional economic cooperation and the green agenda for the Western Balkans.

In an interview with the Reuters agency, before the summit, Prime Minister Edi Rama expresses optimism that the summit will clarify the controversies raised regarding the expanded Central European Free Trade Agreement. 

"Tomorrow it will be important to... fix the CEFTA mechanism, for which there have been some controversial positions in recent months but which have now passed. This is the positive benefit from the Berlin Process, which keeps us all in the rail" said Rama.

The results of the summit will be presented at a joint press conference by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who will also attend the summit on behalf of the EU.

The day starts with the reception by Chancellor Olaf Sholz in the early hours of the morning for the delegations, as the leaders of the Western Balkans will also be present, Prime Minister Edi Rama will also be present. The opening will be made by the German chancellor and will continue at 10:00 with the opening of the first topic, "Regional cooperation and the regional common market".

In the second part, the topic of "Green, Legality and Energy" is discussed. It will be followed by the signing ceremony, to move on at 13:00 to the "Discussion with representatives of the Youth Forum and Civil Society".

At 14:00, the last topic "The Future of the Berlin Process" will be held and finally the press conference.

The last summit of the Berlin Process was held on October 16, 2023 in Tirana, for the first time outside the borders of the EU.

Agenda of the 10th anniversary of the Berlin Process:
-14 October 2024, 09.30, Berlin, Federal Chancellery
-09.30 – 10.00 Arrival of delegations, greeting by Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany
-10.00 – 10.15 Opening and official speech by Chancellor Scholz
-10.15 –11.15 Session 1: Regional Cooperation and Regional Common Market
-11.15 – 11.30 Group photo and coffee break
-11.30 – 12.20 Session 2: Green Agenda, Connectivity, Energy
-12.20 – 12.35 Signing ceremony
Ceremony of signing
-12.35 – 13.00 Discussion with representatives of the Youth Forum and Civil Society
Forum
-13.00 – 14.00 Lunch (only heads of government)
Topic: The future of the Berlin Process
-14.00 – 14.30 Press conference

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