The Berlin process was set up in 2014 as a platform to increase cooperation between the Western Balkans Six and the Berlin Process host countries as well as the EU. It is first and foremost a consistent and inclusive format for all 6 Western Balkan countries. High official representatives of the Western Balkan Six (WB6) and their peers in Berlin Process host countries meet at least once a year at the Summit and preparatory Ministerial meetings. The Process also involves the EU institutions, international financial institutions and the region’s civil society, youth and businesses. It provides high level political support and broad outreach and visibility to regional cooperation initiatives and respective policies, as well as to EU connectivity projects in the region. Over the years the Berlin Process continuously evolved and currently consists of the Summit itself, Ministerial Meetings (Foreign, Interior, Economy, Roma) and multiple side events (Digital Summit, Business Forum, Youth Forum, Civil Society Forum, Gender Forum, Science Conference, Purchasing Initiative of German Business and Agricultural Policy Forum). These Events are usually spread throughout the months in the run up towards the main summit.
