Berlin Process 2022: A Step Towards EU Enlargement

The Berlin Process has reiterated Germany’s and the EU’s commitment to the region. Here is the commitment for the six Western Balkan countries to be included as part of the European family.

Interest in the Western Balkans has increased significantly among the EU countries since the Russian attack on Ukraine -on 24 February 2022- with Moscow exercising a renewed influence in the region. In fact, there are cases -including Serbia and the Republic Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina- showing zero support for Brussels’ policy against the Putin regime or only half-heartedly.

Consequently, the intensification of EU accession has become a key priority in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion. And this is particularly so for the Western Balkans with the EU officially launching – in July 2022 – accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia after over a decade of waiting, as recalled by Visegrad Insight, Special Edition 3(21) 2022). Besides that, Kosovo has officially – and for the first time since its independence – submitted its application for membership on 15 December of this year. One day later, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been granted candidate status to join the block. 

Berlin Process 9th Edition: Renewed Commitment for the Region

The Berlin Process – launched by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2014 – and its recent 9th edition held on 3 November in the German capital have reiterated Germany’s and the EU’s commitment to the region. “Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine is forcing us to stand together and securely defend Europe’s freedom,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the opening of the Berlin summit. He reminded the audience that the six Western Balkan countries belong to the European Union and that he is committed to including them as part of the European family.