The Institute for Development Policies (INDEP) organized a roundtable on the topic “Drivers of Regional Mobility in the Western Balkans: Free Movement of People,” supported by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event brought together representatives from various fields to discuss the progress and challenges of regional cooperation within the framework of the Berlin Process.

The Executive Director of INDEP, Burim Ejupi, said that this meeting is part of a broader regional initiative to evaluate the progress made in implementing agreed-upon agreements. According to him, out of the nine Berlin Process agreements, three are already in force and six are in the implementation phase.

“Today we are holding a meeting, which we have also called the week of meetings. In every Western Balkan country, similar roundtables have already started to review the progress each Western Balkan country has made concerning the Berlin agreements. We have been monitoring from October until April, and out of the nine agreements that needed to be implemented, three have entered into force, six are on the way, which means there is progress. In the legislative aspect, Kosovo has done well by fulfilling its tasks, except for the part related to mediation, as we are waiting for new institutions formed after the February 9 elections, and I believe with the formation of these institutions this part will also be completed. We believe that with the CEFTA agreement, the economy, citizens, and consumers will benefit from the free movement of goods,” said Ejupi.

The German Deputy Ambassador to Kosovo, Matthias Conrad, emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and the inclusion of all parties in this process.

“This is precisely what is needed because we have an excellent process that has already taken shape in its 11th year, and we constantly think about how to improve it, make it better, and more effective. One element that comes to mind is ensuring that there is a discussion in the region among all involved parties because that is what is needed. It is not a process to be addressed, managed, and shaped only by politicians, but it is a process from which all these societies here should benefit. But not only that, it is truly a two-way path. It is a route toward integration with the European Union, and so we need everyone fully on board for this… We are moving forward in 2025; enlargement is at the top of the agenda…  And so, the Berlin Process is part of the growth plan and vice versa,” he said.

He added that Germany is committed to supporting the European integration process.

“The Berlin Process can be characterized as a platform that offers great potential for regional integration, to accelerate, let’s say, the process of joining the EU. You know, but it is absolutely essential to reiterate from time to time that it is an inclusive process for the six Western Balkan countries, and it is a process where Kosovo sits at the table just like all the other partners. But ultimately, it is the region that stands to benefit the most from a success we might have with this Berlin Process. The creation of the Regional Common Market aims primarily to benefit people, businesses, students basically, everyone in this region. And when we look at what was achieved last year at the summit, the progress within CEFTA and all the agreements that were subsequently enabled to move forward, this is a concrete example. As the German government, together with all the partners involved in the Berlin Process, together with the European Union, we are offering a lot in this regard and undoubtedly investing a lot,” he added.

The Berlin Process is an initiative aimed at increasing regional cooperation in the Western Balkans and assisting the integration of these countries into the European Union. It was launched in August 2014 by then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Besides the Western Balkan states, participants in the Berlin Process include EU institutions, international financial bodies, as well as civil society organizations, youth, and businesses within the region. Kosovo is one of the countries that is part of the Berlin Process, reports KosovaPress.