The Berlin Process comes to Montenegro: The region faces a new test of good-neighbourly relations

Montenegro will host key activities within this year’s presidency of the Berlin Process at the end of September and throughout October. Foreign ministers of the participating countries, European officials and representatives of regional organisations will gather in Pržno, with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy also expected to attend.

One of the anticipated outcomes of the ministerial meeting will be a declaration on good-neighbourly relations. The document is expected to offer joint responses to the challenges facing the Western Balkans and reaffirm the principles of regional cooperation based on mutual understanding and respect.

Part of the programme will also be devoted to the future of the Berlin Process.

Analyst Aleksandar Ćuković told the Raio Television of Montenegro that hosting this year’s activities represents a form of recognition for Montenegro from Brussels.

- With this, Montenegro is demonstrating and showing the maturity to shape regional processes. Following the summit in Tbilisi, this is a continuation of a practice through which the European Union further strengthens and sends messages concerning Montenegro - messages that indicate that Montenegro is indeed a leader in the region and that the EU recognises and, I would say, rewards this position – Ćuković.

He believes that the gathering in Montenegro could contribute to accelerating European integration.

- In this context, this summit should also be viewed as something that can be interpreted not only as a strengthening, but also as an acceleration of Montenegro’s European path - Ćuković said.

Montenegro has allocated additional funds for organising this year’s activities. The government approved the reallocation of €100,000 from the current budget reserve at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The funds will be used for organisational, logistical and technical preparations, as well as for the training and deployment of liaison officers who will attend to the needs of invited delegations during the ministerial meeting and summit.

The Berlin Process includes Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and North Macedonia, together with Germany, other partner countries and institutions of the European Union.