TIRANA – Civil society organizations play an important role in the relaunched Berlin process to bring the region closer to the EU, it was said at the opening of the Civil Society Forum launch event of Tirana 2023. This event officially launches the process and presents the objectives and activities of this year’s CFS.
The Forum takes place within the framework of the annual Berlin Process Summit, which is organized for the first time in a Western Balkan country and is hosted by the Albanian government, current holder of the presidency of the Berlin Process. “The event constitutes a pivotal moment for the launch of the Forum, bringing together civil society representatives and experts from the six Western Balkan countries, as well as various European Union Member States such as Greece, Germany , Italy, Austria, Poland and beyond,” said the organizers.
Seven thematic working groups led by civil society organizations from the Western Balkans region will start conversations on key topics such as energy, access to the European single market, digitalization and connectivity, climate and green agenda, mobility and migration, security and geopolitics, and enlargement policy.
These groups will jointly formulate policy recommendations after an extensive consultation process with civil society and regional experts, and engage in advocacy with Western Balkan governments, EU member states and regional and international institutions. According to the organizers, the results will be presented and discussed at the Civil Society and Think Tank Forum, which precedes the Leaders’ Summit.
Ambassador of Germany to Albania, Peter Zingraf, considered that the Berlin Process is an ongoing process, in which civil society organizations play an important role in monitoring and implementing the results. He added that CSOs play a key role in the institutional transformation of the region as part of the EU integration process.
According to him, one of the greatest strengths of the Berlin process lies in its flexibility and non-institutionalization.
“Times have changed since the start of the Berlin process. I still think we need something like this. My government comes to support this process and emphasizes regional connectivity as one of its main objectives, notably in the creation of a common regional market (CRM),” said Zingraf.
Luigi Mattirolo, Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to Albania, said that Italy is a clear and firm supporter of the European integration of the Western Balkan countries. He added that the context in Europe changed after February 24, 2022, when Russia attacked Ukraine.
“We need to look at Europe from a different perspective. The imperative and strategic priority should be the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU. We must use this event as an opportunity to accelerate the integration process. We strongly support the Berlin Process as a crucial instrument to bring the region closer together, foster regional cooperation and promote the region’s European integration,” Mattirolo said.
He stressed that one of the objectives of the Berlin process is to strengthen the economic development of the region.
“We are convinced that by improving living conditions we can also solve many of the problems facing this region, such as brain drain and high emigration. Additionally, by improving economic development, we will attract more investment. This is a round that could bridge the gap between the EU and the Western Balkans,” explained the Italian deputy ambassador.
He mentioned that many reforms have been undertaken in the Western Balkans, but much remains to be done to meet European standards, such as the rule of law and the fight against corruption.
Odeta Barbullushiadviser to the Albanian Prime Minister for Western Balkans and European affairs, said Albania strongly supports the relaunch of the Berlin process last year.
“The DNA of Albanian foreign policy is regional cooperation. This is one of the main pillars of our foreign policy,” Barbullushi said.
According to her, last year the European Union had a greater presence in the Western Balkans politically and economically. She spoke of a clear demonstration during the first EU-Western Balkans summit in the region, the granting of candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the liberalization of visas for Kosovo.
Barbullushi added that in addition to the political connection between the EU and the Western Balkans, it is necessary to add a socio-economic dimension to these ties, which could bring the region closer to the European Union.
Andi Dobrushi, Western Balkans director at the Open Society Foundation, stressed that European integration is the only plan for countries in the region, saying there is no alternative. “The path to the EU may be seen as mere rhetoric by politicians, but for citizens, EU membership remains a very important goal,” he said.
He acknowledged that there was new momentum for enlargement following the war in Ukraine, but stressed that the crucial question was how the region and the EU would respond to this situation.
“Looking at the Eurobarometer data, it is clear that citizens are deeply concerned about the political and security setup. They want a greater EU and NATO presence in the Balkans because of the situation in Ukraine,” Dobrushi said. Regarding the Berlin process, he said the signing of three agreements in Berlin last year could give new impetus to regional cooperation.
The Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans (OSFWB), commissioned by the Albanian government as the current holder of the presidency of the Berlin Process, and in collaboration with the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) and with the Agency for Cooperation and Development Institute (CDI), will organize this year the Civil Society & Think Tank Forum (CSF).
