Thewesternbalkans
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, hosted the special representative of Germany for the Western Balkans, Manuel Sarrazin, accompanied by the Ambassador of Germany in Kosovo, Jorn Rohde.
Preparations for this year’s summit in the Berlin Process, which marks its 10th anniversary, regional cooperation and regional and European issues were the topics of conversation.
During the discussion about the expectations from the next summit, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance that the agreements reached in the Berlin Process are fully implemented, including the agreement on free movement with ID card between Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In February 2023, the Assembly of Kosovo ratified the agreement for free movement with identity cards in the Western Balkans, as part of the agreements within the Berlin Summit. However, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which dоes not recognize Kosovo, had come against this, not accepting the movement with ID.
Comment: The Berlin Process was set up in 2014 as a platform for high-level cooperation between high official representatives of the Western Balkan Six (WB6) and their peers in Berlin Process host countries. The Process also involves the EU institutions, international financial institutions and the region’s civil society, youth and businesses.
The main goals of the Berlin Process are resolution of outstanding bilateral and internal issues, achieving reconciliation within and between the societies in the region, enhancing regional economic cooperation and laying the foundations for sustainable growth.
Kosovo is the strongest supporter of the Berlin Process. Kosovo officials have repeatedly stated that it is the only legitimate international initiative that unites the six countries of the WB and refuse to join other regional initiatives such as “Open Balkan”.
The next Berlin Process Summit will be held in Berlin on October 14.
