Thewesternbalkans.
According to the British government press service, the UK hosted a summit of Western Balkans countries in London on 22 October to promote regional cooperation and deliver security and growth.
The government of UK is engaged to work with the German government as an initiator of the Berlin Process on shared priorities in the Western Balkans. Its aims are to:
- strengthen European security by supporting vulnerable NATO Allies, countering hostile influence and drivers of instability, building resilient communities, addressing the shared threat from irregular migration, serious organised crime and illicit finance
- promote economic growth by unlocking barriers to trade and investment through enhanced regional cooperation, supporting European alignment, and promoting UK expertise and investment opportunities offered by British business and UK Export Finance (UKEF)
The UK hosting of the Berlin Process delivers on the British Prime Minister Plan for Change. The process aims to increase international cooperation to reduce serious and organised crime and irregular migration along key transit routes, help secure the UK’s borders, and keep its streets safe
The UK hosted a series of ministerial-level meetings covering foreign, interior and economic policy, culminating in a Leader’s Summit hosted by the UK Prime Minister in London on 22 October. Multiple side events have taken place in the months leading up to the Summit, including forums on business, civil society, youth engagement and gender equality.
The UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans Dame Karen Piers has been appointed to enhance the UK’s work with regional partners, including delivery of the Berlin Process.
Comments: The Berlin Process is an international platform which brings together governments of all 6 Western Balkans countries, alongside other European partners. Its aim is to increase regional cooperation, support economic development and accelerate its efforts for closer European alignment in the Western Balkans.
Recent Leaders’ Summits have been held in Berlin, Germany (2024 and 2022) and in Tirana, Albania (2023).
It is noteworthy that the message from the British government press office does not mention the European integration of the Western Balkan countries anywhere, and according to the Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, the main priority of the meeting was Balkan infrastructure connectivity.
