A test of ability to lead European politics: What the chairmanship of the Berlin Process means for Montenegro

Chairmanship of the Berlin Process could be an important test of Montenegro's ability to lead European and regional policy, believes an analyst at the European Stability Initiative (ESI) from Berlin, Adnan Ćerimagić.

"If the authorities in Podgorica use it as an opportunity to show initiative, commitment to concrete results and the ability to bring neighbors together around common goals, then - in football terms - it could be a 'full-fledged hit' at a time when Montenegro is striving to become a 'European Union team'," Ćerimagić told "Vijesti" commenting on Montenegro taking over the presidency of the Berlin Process next year.

Prime Minister Milojko Spajic He said on October 22 at the Berlin Process summit in London that Montenegro is ready to take over the presidency of this diplomatic initiative next year, which, he said, will accelerate the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU.

The Berlin Process is a regional initiative of the European Union launched in 2014 at the initiative of the then German Chancellor Angela Merkel, with the aim of strengthening cooperation among the Western Balkan countries and accelerating their path towards EU membership.

When asked by "Vijesti" what obligations the chairmanship of this initiative brings to Montenegro, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MVP) responded that Montenegro will host the Berlin Process summit, as well as a series of ministerial meetings and accompanying events that will bring together leaders of the Western Balkans and European Union member states.

"During our chairmanship, we will pay special attention to encouraging creativity, mutual trust and cooperation, as key foundations of the integration process and sustainable development of the region," the MFA said.

They say that the chairmanship of one of the most important regional initiatives designed to encourage the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union is a recognition of Montenegro's progress on its European path so far.

The MFA also sees this as "an opportunity to further confirm commitment to European values, dialogue and cooperation in the region."

"At the same time, it will be an extraordinary opportunity to confirm the institutional capacities for organizing major events, which will certainly contribute to the impression of Montenegro as the first future EU member," said the minister's department. Ervin Ibrahimović.

The Government's goal is to close all negotiation chapters next year, so that Montenegro can become a member of the EU in 2028.

Berlin's attention sign

Ćerimagić explains that the decision on which country will chair the Berlin Process is made by the office of the German Federal Chancellor, and it is known that for this occasion a quiet diplomatic "race" is waged every year between EU member states and countries in the region.

He believes that the German Chancellor's decision Friedrich Merz to entrust the presidency to Montenegro is primarily a political sign of Berlin's attention.

"To what extent Podgorica will seize this opportunity will depend on both its authorities and the broader context in the region and the EU," he said.

According to him, the past years have seen presidencies that have left a significant mark, but also those that have gone almost unnoticed.

"It is now up to Montenegro to show that it belongs to the first category," he said.

He pointed out that the Berlin Process is separate from the formal EU accession process and is primarily aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and connectivity.

"We will show that we are a reliable partner"

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that this role further confirms the importance that Montenegro has in strengthening relations with major European countries, but at the same time reminds us of the need for constant investment in good neighborly relations and joint projects with the countries of the Western Balkans.

"Only through open dialogue and cooperation can we together build stability, prosperity and the European future of the region. As always, we will show that we are a reliable partner, a good host and a sincere friend, ready to provide hospitality and contribute to making the Berlin Process a successful step towards full membership of the entire region in the EU," they said.

Negotiations on Montenegro's accession to the EU began on 29 June 2012. Since then, all 33 chapters have been opened, and seven have been provisionally closed (three at the end of last year and one in June this year). These are chapters 25 (science and research), 26 (education and culture), 30 (external relations), 7 (intellectual property law), 10 (information society and media), 20 (entrepreneurship and industrial policy) and 5 (public procurement).

The Berlin Process involves six Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia), nine EU member states - Germany, Austria, France, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Poland and Slovenia, as well as the institutions of the European Union and the United Kingdom.

As stated on the initiative's website, the goal of the Berlin Process is to strengthen regional and European cooperation, help the Western Balkan countries achieve EU standards, and bring concrete benefits to citizens through the development of a common regional market, energy security and green transition, the Green Agenda and climate partnership, the development of agriculture, rural areas, and forestry, infrastructure connectivity (roads, railways, digital networks), strengthening cybersecurity and the fight against organized crime, reconciliation and social inclusion, especially of the Roma, and business and investment development through annual forums and export support initiatives.

“It is time for the region to be recognized as a European development zone”

Spajić said in London that Montenegro accepts the responsibility of chairing the Berlin Process with determination and a firm commitment to building on this year's successes.

"With our leadership, we will advocate for the accelerated implementation of the common regional market and the Green Agenda, improved transparency and deepened cooperation in digital, green and security initiatives, as well as in the areas of mobility, education, science and innovation," said Spajić.

He emphasized that it is time for the Western Balkans to be recognized as the next European development zone.

"Let us allow our political words to be accompanied by economic actions - so that we can turn the promise of the Berlin Process into prosperity that every citizen of our region will feel," Spajić said.

The London summit was the 12th in a row within the Berlin Process, and Balkan and European leaders have met so far in Berlin, London, Vienna, Paris, Trieste, Poznan, Sofia and Tirana as part of this diplomatic initiative.