Berlin Process Summit in Montenegro: Western Balkan leaders gather, with connectivity and EU integration in focus

The Berlin Process Summit brought together Western Balkan leaders and European partners. It was opened by the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajić, and German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz.

• The Berlin Process Summit in Miločer brought together Western Balkan leaders and European partners to focus economic connectivity, security, and EU integration.
• Friedrich Merz said that progress towards EU membership depends on reforms and political will within candidate countries, as well as joint efforts across the region.
• Milojko Spajić stressed that Montenegro remains committed to reforms, the common regional market and the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

This year's Berlin Process Summit, being held in Miločer, near Budva, focuses on stronger economic connectivity across the region, competitiveness, security and EU integration.

At the opening of the Berlin Process Summit, Friedrich Merz said that progress towards EU membership was possible. He added that the EU had fulfilled its part, but that reforms and political will had to come from the countries seeking to join.

He recalled that 12 such meetings had been held so far across the Western Balkans, the highest number in the history of the process.

“This shows that progress is possible and that EU accession is a realistic prospect, provided you are determined and consider it worth the effort. Your motto was: ‘A region in motion, taking ownership of change’ – which clearly indicates that change must come from within, from your countries and your region. This was one of the guiding principles behind the launch of the Berlin Process,” Merz said.

He added that success was possible only if all the countries of the Western Balkans worked together.

“This determines, for example, whether a young dentist from Skopje can start working in Tirana, or whether a company from Novi Sad can open a branch in Sarajevo. A market of eight million people is simply more attractive to investors than six small markets. In addition, this provides excellent preparation for operating within the EU’s single market,” Merz said.

He stressed that divisive rhetoric and growing polarisation would not lead to a safer, freer and more prosperous Europe. History, he added, would not look kindly on “those who sow division in these challenging times”.

According to Merz, to build a better future, we must not “add fuel to the fire” but instead move forward, guided by European values. 

Kos: Decisive weeks and months lie ahead

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said, ahead of the Summit, that the coming weeks and months would be decisive for countries seeking EU membership.

“I am always pleased to see a country making progress when it is determined to become an EU Member State. The weeks and months ahead will be decisive. For Montenegro, the decisive moment will be crossing the finish line in the accession process.”

She added that this is why regional leaders and Berlin Process participants needed to be in Montenegro that day. 

Spajić: Montenegro’s progress is an opportunity for the entire region

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said that, during its chairmanship, Montenegro had placed the region’s shared interests ahead of narrow national priorities.

“Through the Common Regional Market and deeper integration with the European Union, we must translate that conviction into everyday opportunities: faster movement of goods across borders, qualifications that open doors, and businesses reaching new customers. This requires economic reforms, strong institutions, fair competition, as well as investment in skills, infrastructure and clean energy,” Spajić said.

He added that Montenegro was determined to earn its place through reforms and to turn its progress into an opportunity for the entire Western Balkans region.

Source: EUpravo zato