To mark ten years of the Berlin Process, the Western Balkan Business Forum was held in Berlin at the end of September, under the theme “Western Balkans as an Economic Area on the Path to the EU – 10 Years of the Berlin Process”. The event, opened by German Minister of Economic Affairs Dr. Robert Habeck, highlighted the Berlin Process as a key framework for economic and political integration between the Western Balkans and the European Union, promoting regional cooperation and sustainable economic growth
At the forum, organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) with the support of the German Chamber of Commerce (DIHK), the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the network of German chambers of commerce in the Western Balkans (AHK), and the Western Balkan 6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6 CIF), regional economic ministers, including Serbia’s Minister of Internal and External Trade Tomislav Momirović, along with business representatives and renowned economic experts, analysed past achievements and challenges on the path to the region’s economic integration with the European Union.
Milan Grujić, President of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, stated that the Berlin Process has demonstrated the importance of cooperation between the Western Balkans and the EU, not only politically but economically.
“The German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce has proudly participated in the Berlin Process from the beginning, opening new opportunities for economic development and integration of the region with the EU. Through initiatives like the German Supplier Initiative, which has connected German companies with suppliers from the Western Balkans for ten years, and in collaboration with the network of German chambers in the Western Balkans (AHK), we have organised around 5,000 B2B meetings in the past decade between the region’s best companies and German partners, significantly boosting exports and business opportunities. Our mission remains to support companies in achieving sustainable development goals and strengthening business ties between Germany and Serbia,” said the President of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce.
To commemorate the Berlin Process’s tenth anniversary, the organisers of the Business Forum created a joint document titled “10 Years of the Berlin Process – Assessment from a Business Perspective and Next Steps” (Position Paper), which highlights the key challenges and future directions for cooperation between the Western Balkans and the EU. One of the main points emphasised is the need to raise awareness of the European Union as a community of values, as well as the role of EU investors and local businesses in promoting the benefits of EU membership, such as the free movement of people, capital, services, and goods within the single market.
The Berlin Process has also established a productive basis for dialogue between economic and political actors, which should be further intensified through forums such as the Western Balkans Digital Summit. The goal is for businesses to actively engage in political processes and contribute to further development.
Economic cooperation between the Western Balkans and the European Union, facilitated by the Berlin Process, has laid the foundation for dialogue and integration, promoting sustainable development and deeper business ties across the region
At the regional level, it is crucial to work on harmonising economic policies and removing barriers that hinder cross-border projects. Business forums provide a platform for exchanging ideas and encourage the development of the Western Balkans as a single economic area. Another priority is further integrating Western Balkan companies into European value chains. Projects such as the German Supplier Initiative in the Western Balkans have shown the region’s great potential, and future activities should focus on strengthening regulatory frameworks and retaining qualified staff.
Improving infrastructure at border crossings with the EU is also a key issue, particularly the need to equip customs and other state authorities on the ground. With long queues, sometimes stretching for kilometres, at EU border crossings for truck traffic from the Western Balkans and vice versa, inspections should be carried out by authorities on both sides, which would significantly reduce processing time. Additionally, the technical equipment of customs stations, such as increasing the number of truck scanners, should be improved.
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is still a relatively unknown topic in the Western Balkans, despite numerous efforts from the network of German chambers abroad (AHK) and other relevant actors. The CBAM, which entered its transitional phase in the EU on 1 October 2023, is the EU’s key tool in combating carbon leakage, aiming to equalise carbon emission prices within and outside its borders. During the transition period, Serbia’s EU trading partners will be required to calculate and report their GHG emissions without financial obligations. However, from 2026, the EU will impose charges on importers under the CBAM framework.