Michel in front of leaders of the EU and the Western Balkans: Both sides ready for integration by 2030

After the reception ceremony, leaders turned to Pyramid, where the work of the Summit is taking place.

At the summit's entry, Prime Minister Edi Rama stressed the divisions between member states and those not members of the European Union. According to him, the Berlin Process's economic promises have not been realised.

The largest political challenge is the painful division among EU members and not members. Living without the EU is not easy. Can we handle these divisions? The Berlin Process's economic promises have not been realized, especially when compared with the transformational thinking that it has brought”.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, at the same time the Berlin Process, said the Berlin Process summit proved the undeniable importance of the Western Balkans in the union. According to Scholz, the impact of agreements signed last year on the Berlin Process has been concrete and more expected. However, after aggression in northern Kosovo, the time has come to overcome the conflicts that keep the region in the country counting.

European Council President Charles Michel also stressed the importance of integrating the Western Balkans into the European Union. Michel said both sides should be ready for expansion by 2030.

“Enlargement is an investment in the peace and prosperity of the EU and our future members. Your journey started more than 20 years ago in the EU. It's been a very slow road. Disappointing. But now, I think we should be ready on both sides by 2030 to expand. The war in Ukraine has focused our attention on enlargement”.

European Commission Chairman Ursula von der Leyeen showed the aim of the union to provide Western Balkans with access to the common European market.

That's why I introduced the growth plan. We want to give them access to the common European market. For that, we need reforms in the Western Balkans and those who have the will to reform themselves will receive financing from the European Union. It's an incentive for those who really want to move on. Our doors are open, so let's work on this forwarding this <x1 growth plan.

Two are the main elements to analyze at the Berlin Process Governing Forum.

First the political element.

One of the pillars of the Berlin Process established in 2014 is the good neighbourhood in the region. And in this context, the tense situation after September 24th in northern Kosovo is a topic to be discussed so much more that in Tirana tomorrow there will be the two architects of the Franco-German plan.

Second and most important aspect, economically.

On May 31st 2023 from the forum, GLOBSEC in Bratislava European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is working for “On the Plan Growth” (growth plan) for countries in the region but gave no figures about where this plan consists of financial terms. / TCh/