The Western Balkans is set to accelerate economic development through the Growth Plan and a new Action Plan aimed at establishing a common regional market, enhancing living standards for citizens. This was emphasized during the summit celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Berlin Process.
Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and other leaders from the Western Balkans, in collaboration with EU member states, conveyed a strong commitment to regional cooperation and reaffirmed their dedication to EU integration.
At the meeting in Berlin, hosted by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a Declaration on the Common Regional Market was adopted.
The initiative aims to improve the economies of the region by reducing border wait times and significantly speeding up the transit of goods, services, people, and capital among the countries. Spajić noted that these delays have long been a significant barrier to making the Western Balkans a competitive market.
“We believe this commitment will guide our regional cooperation and drive accelerated European integration for the Western Balkans,” Spajić stated.
He expressed optimism that the new Action Plan for the Common Regional Market, a crucial component of the Growth Plan, will effectively narrow the socio-economic gap between the region and the EU, fostering regional economic growth and integration.
The summit also provided an opportunity for EU officials to express their readiness to offer increased support for Montenegro’s upcoming final stage of accession.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban indicated that Hungary plans to close several negotiation chapters with Montenegro by the end of the year.
Montenegro has taken a lead role in fulfilling the requirements of the Berlin Process, having ratified four mobility agreements and is expected to ratify a fifth—an Agreement on Access to Higher Education and Enrollment for the Western Balkans, adopted at the Berlin summit.
Spajić emphasized that regional cooperation and connectivity remain vital for Montenegro, provided they align with European principles, especially regarding infrastructure, green transitions, and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
In this context, the reaffirmation of the Hamburg Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans is crucial, supported by regional leaders and nine participating countries: Germany, Austria, France, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Poland, and Slovenia, as well as EU institutions and the United Kingdom.
“Any attempt to address these issues without considering the regional context would be misguided and a waste of valuable resources. Only by recognizing the growing demand for better connectivity, clean energy, and a green economy can we present profitable and sustainable projects to credible investors. Thus, we must enhance transportation links, remove barriers to mobility, and encourage regional trade to create conditions for political, economic, and social convergence with the rest of Europe,” Spajić noted.
The high-level meeting was preceded by various ministerial discussions, where heads of state supported decisions on a regional declaration regarding the use of infrastructure for research and innovation, regional standards for screening foreign direct investments, and a Declaration reaffirming good-neighborly relations.
During the summit, Spajić highlighted the importance of integrating the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Center (WB3C) into the Berlin Process, emphasizing its role in promoting and positioning the center, based in Podgorica, in both regional and international contexts. The WB3C, as part of the Berlin Process, will serve as a foundation for enhancing cooperation and increasing regional resilience against cyber threats.
