Minister Hasani emphasized in the opening remarks that the priority in the region, among neighbors, should be the common geopolitical, economic and social objectives and that the mechanisms of the Berlin Process should be better integrated with those of the European Union.

“The war in Ukraine highlighted the significance of regional stability and prosperity, along with the region’s alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. Monitoring the systematic implementation of the commitments of the Berlin Process, to create more commitment and sustainability of results will be of exceptional significance. The EU and the Western Balkans should be more open in finding ways for an accelerated integration before full membership. Being a de-jure part of the normative context of the EU and the Common Policy of the EU for security and foreign affairs, and de-facto a socio-economic part of it, we must accept this situation and make the enlargement tangible,” emphasized Minister Hasani.

While stopping to consider the regional cooperation, Minister Hasani stressed that the convergence with the EU is a necessary instrument for the common European perspective.

He added that the current discussion on the EU’s Cohesion Policy and the new many-years long financial framework of the EU after 2027 could be the means through which these proposals will play their part in bringing step by step the Western Balkans closer to the EU.

TCF24 coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Berlin Process and is part of the official calendar of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. /p.s./