The Berlin Process - 2020

Mar 3, Skopje

Berlin Process coordination meeting of the WB6 Ministries of Foreign Affairs

• Representatives of the WB6 Ministries of Foreign Affairs
• Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria
• Representatives of civil society organisations
• RCC representatives
• GIZ ORF EU Integration representatives

• Discussion on the draft joint statement for the Foreign Ministers’ meeting

Mar 8-10, Skopje

Western Balkans Think Tank Forum

• Representatives of the WB6 and EU think tanks
• Representatives of the WB6 Ministries of Foreign Affairs
• Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria and Greece
• RCC Deputy Secretary General
• GIZ ORF EU Integration representatives

• Discussions on the new Green Deal and Economic and Social Convergence, regional bilateral disputes, migration issues, hybrid threats and the rule of law

May 19, Online

Meeting of the Western Balkans Ministers of Foreign Affairs

• WB6 Ministers of Foreign Affairs
• Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia
• DG NEAR Commissioner
• EEAS Secretary General
• Director of DG HOME

• Discussion on the emerging pandemic situation and on cooperation in dealing with the economic and social consequences of the COVID-19

Oct 26-28 and Nov 2, Online

3rd Western Balkans Digital Summit and Digital Ministerial

• Ministers and representatives of the WB6 Governments
• Representatives of the EC
• RCC representatives
• Representatives of the regional business communities

• Discussion on the outcomes of the Digital Agenda
• Showcasing of good practices in the region
• Discussion on possible partnership with the private sector in the process of digital transformation

Oct 29, Online

Preparatory meeting for the Western Balkans Summit in Sofia

• Representatives of the WB6 Ministries of Foreign Affairs
• Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria
• Representatives of DG NEAR
• RCC representatives
• GIZ ORF EU Integration representatives

• Final consultations and coordination between WB6 Ministries of Foreign Affairs ahead of the Western Balkans Summit 2020

Nov 5, Online

Meeting of the Western Balkans Ministers of Economy

• WB6 Ministers of Economy
• Ministers of Economy of the EU states involved in the Berlin Process and of the United Kingdom
• DG NEAR Commissioner
• Representatives of international financial institutions

• Discussion on the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, clean energy, Common Regional Market, outcomes of the Digital Summit and the 2020 Enlargement Package

Participants:

• WB6 Prime Ministers and Ministers of Foreign Affairs
• Prime Ministers (and/or representatives) of Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Slovenia and United Kingdom
• EC President
• EU High Representative/Vice-president
• EU NEAR Commissioner and EU NEAR Director
• EEAS Secretary General
• European Commissioner of Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
• RYCO Secretary General
• RCC Secretary General
• Representatives of CEFTA, OECD, EIB, WB and EBR

Topics:

• Challenges of the global COVID-19 pandemic in the Western Balkan
• Economic and Investment plan for the Western Balkans 2020
• Green Agenda for the Western Balkans
• Further support to Roma integration
• The future of the Berlin Process

Commitments:

• 2020 Connectivity Package was put forward with six projects in sustainable transport and clean energy
• Declaration on Common Regional Market was signed
• Declaration on the Green Agenda was signed

Highlights:

• The impact of Chinese presence in the Western Balkans
• Geopolitical issues: environmental pollution and surveillance of citizens
• Goals of the Berlin Process