The Berlin Process - Opportunity for a Strong, Modern, and European Public Administration
In Budva, the Meeting of Ministers of Public Administration under Montenegro’s chairmanship of the Berlin Process has concluded, sending a clear and strong message: the future of the Western Balkans depends on the strength of its institutions and the people who lead them.
The Meeting, hosted by the Minister of Public Administration, Mr. Marash Dukaj, represented more than an institutional gathering - it marked the beginning of a new political and developmental momentum.
The joint message delivered by the speakers at the opening ceremony-the Minister Dukaj; the Director for the Western Balkans, Türkiye, the Council of Europe and the OSCE at the German Federal Foreign Office, Mr. Michael Reiffenstuel; the Director of ReSPA, Ms. Maja Handjiska-Trendafilova; and the Director for the Western Balkans at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, Ms. Valentina Superti - was:
“Investing in public administration and knowledge is the only path toward strengthening citizens’ trust and achieving European standards.”
The meeting was attended by the State Minister for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption of Albania, Ms. Adea Pirdeni; the Minister of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Davor Bunoza; the Minister of Public Administration and Digitalization of Kosovo, Mr. Lulëzon Jagxhiu; the Minister of Public Administration of North Macedonia, Mr. Goran Minchev; and the Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government of Serbia, Ms. Snežana Paunović.
Representatives of European Union Member States participating in the Berlin Process were also present, including Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, and Slovenia.
The discussion focused on modern models for implementing reforms, emphasizing that leadership development, talent attraction, and the strengthening of digital capacities are interconnected priorities. Participants agreed that readiness for European Union membership requires not only legal alignment but also strong human resources. It was highlighted that modern public administrations require innovative approaches to recruitment, continuous learning, and leadership development, and that regional cooperation plays a key role in accelerating reform processes.
During the Meeting, the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA) presented a new support instrument for the region - the Regional Mobility Programme for Civil Servants. The programme will enable networking and joint learning among professionals from Western Balkan countries. Through training and exchanges, participants will have the opportunity to gain experience by working in institutions across the region and the EU.
The event concluded in a spirit of strengthened mutual trust and continued regional cooperation, with further steps announced toward the full professionalization and digitalization of public services in the Western Balkans.
Photographs and video you may find here.