Berlin Process: More Money for Balkans, Less Success History

The Western Balkan Conference, which ended this Friday in Poznan, Poland, did not expect much. The signal that went to the region could be understood as “before awaiting”. Wait until, for example, French President Emmanuel Macron changes his stance on EU enlargement and gives the green light for starting negotiations with northern Macedonia and Albania. Or until it gives its approval for visa liberalisation to Kosovo citizens. These two long-standing promises, the EU so far cannot be fulfilled because of internal disagreements.

This gap must complement the Berlin Process, the joint initiative of several EU countries, six Western Balkan countries and the European Commission. With funds and summits held each year as the Poznañi Summit. Eight new infrastructure projects were approved in this summit, nearly 700m euros, has made the EU available for them, 180 million grand eyes, the rest in credit form: Their “benefits people in the region”, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said at the end of the summit.

Key beneficiary is Northern Macedonia

Three of these projects will go directly to northern Macedonia, which has been waiting for ten years to start membership negotiations and is now considered a bright “example” for the entire region to reach the Prespa Agreement with Greece. .”

Northern Macedonia is also given a new responsibility under the Berlin Process: Together with Bulgaria, it will take over the rotating chairmanship of the Berlin Process. “is a great honour for us, as a candidate country now, together with an EU member state we will coordinate such complex projects”, Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said before journalists.

Added Tensions

Co-ordination of projects in the Balkans is not an easy task: In particular, the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo is increasingly difficult to implement projects. Even in this regard, the Poznan Summit was unable to give a new signal.

The prime ministers of two Serbia and Kosovo brought to Poznan only accusations of each other. Thus, Serbia's prime minister, Ana Brnbabic, reported that because of the 100 per cent customs tariffs imposed by the Kosovo government for goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, “ky is the first year that trade between the two countries has scored “. “This has damaged the overall trust among countries in the region”, Brnatic said. Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj renewed the Kosovo government's already recognised stance on tariffs once again: “They will be removed, only when Serbia recognises Kosovo”.

Less Success History

At least one thing the countries of the Western Balkans agreed on at this summit: recognition of university diplomas. But they failed to agree on recognition of professional qualifications. Inter-regional agreements of this kind, the Berlin Process has created a lot. For example, the creation of a common economic Zone or a business platform. But in their implementation they face political-discreet boundaries. The best agreement is not valid, for example, when a Kosovo citizen still needs a visa to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina. Or if a truck driver loses for hours of follow-up, only the political will is lacking to join the customs points, ” said of Deutsche Welle the Council's secretary for Regional Co-operation, Majlinda Bregu.

“A success story, such as lowering the roting tariffs from July 1st, shows that compromises are possible”, said Bregu, but it expects more success stories of this type, “otherwise we can't keep the light of the European perspective on”.