Minister Fajon attending 10th Anniversary Berlin Process Summit

Minister Fajon at the 10th Anniversary Summit of the Berlin Process | Author MZEZ

"Looking back at what has been achieved, it is clear that the road to European integration is paved with shared effort, trust and strong political will. The Berlin Process has not only strengthened the ties between the Western Balkans and the European Union, but has also demonstrated the importance of close cooperation for a peaceful, prosperous and united Europe. Slovenia has been an active supporter of this initiative over the years and will continue to be a strong advocate for further regional cooperation, sustainable development and a future in which the Western Balkan countries are fully integrated into the European Union," said Minister Fajon.

"However, it is important that we look to the future. I sincerely hope that this month, we will see some positive steps. On the one hand, we hope to see concrete achievements within the Berlin Process, which means the lifting of the blockade on CEFTA operations, the gradual integration into the Common Market and the establishment of the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre - a Slovenian initiative of which we are particularly proud. On the other hand, we also need to see positive developments in terms of good neighbourly relations, reconciliation, the future of young people and the establishment of the rule of law. The latter is crucial to ensuring that the countries become resilient to external influences and able to adopt and implement all the rules that participation in the Single Market and the Union's cohesion and structural policies will require. Enlargement is a geopolitical necessity and in the current geopolitical context, the EU must respond more quickly and effectively," said Minister Fajon on the sidelines of the Summit.

The Summit was attended by the foreign ministers of the Berlin Process partner governments - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Austria, France, Croatia, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, Poland, Greece and Bulgaria. Representatives from Hungary, the current EU Council Presidency, civil society, the Regional Cooperation Council, and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office were also invited to attend. Participants reviewed progress in the implementation of already agreed measures aimed at the full realisation of the common regional market. Discussions also focused on how to achieve tangible progress on reforms that pave the way for EU membership for the countries of the region, to intensify efforts to overcome blockages and disputes and to enhance good neighbourly relations. The Summit also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation within the Berlin Process in all areas, from regional economic integration to connectivity in all its aspects, including civil society exchanges, which would improve relations between the countries of the region and contribute positively to further enlargement steps.

Minister Fajon reiterated the importance of EU enlargement to the Western Balkans and supported the rapid advancement of enlargement steps in individual countries. She also stressed the need to implement the necessary reforms, particularly reform agendas such as the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, and outlined Slovenia's role in cybersecurity through the project to set up the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) in Podgorica, which will also contribute to strengthening the cybersecurity pillar within the Berlin Process. She went on to underline the importance of resolving bilateral issues and achieving reconciliation in the region, mentioning the digitalisation of the archival material of the former SFRY as an example of best practice.

The aim of the Berlin Process summits is to keep EU enlargement to the Western Balkans on the European agenda, while bringing the region closer to European and global corridors through infrastructure, energy and economic projects, and to encourage the countries of the region to maintain the positive momentum of reform efforts and to continue resolving outstanding issues.