The Berlin Process has played a useful role during the hiatus in the enlargement process and has preserved the dynamics of the relations between the countries of the region and outside crucial countries, estimated Secretary-General of the European Movement Suzana Grubješić.
At the international conference “The Berlin Process – What Next?” Grubješić pointed out that the benefits of the Berlin Process in the form of the Regional office for youth co-operation and the transport community were clear, but she also asked whether any other specific projects had been launched.
She said that there was also still no answer to the question of whether the Berlin process has managed to convince politicians in the region how crucial it is to be connected both within the region and with the EU.
“It remains to be seen what will happen at the London summit in July, since the entire agenda is focused on enlargement, and what awaits us after London – will the Berlin process continue, and is Poland the right place to hold the next summit?” asked Grubješić.
According to Jelica Minić, from the Forum for International Relations of the European Movement in Serbia (EPuS), the Berlin Initiative has undoubtedly played an essential role in the preparation of the new EU Enlargement Strategy published in February, because the work carried out under it was mostly used.
“This was seen especially at the Western Balkans Summit in Sofia, where the agenda for the integration of the countries of the region dominated the event.”
She reiterated that everything now depends on the progress that will be made during the London Summit.
“If what the EC proposed in the strategy does not happen rapidly, it is certain that the Berlin process will continue to set the schedule in relations between the region and the EU until the countries of the region find stable ground on the road to EU accession”, concluded Minić.