BPA Pressemitteilung Western Balkans Summit – CHAIR’S CONCLUSIONS

Such an ambitious project testifies to the potential of all-inclusive regional cooperation, as it will
speed up economic modernisation and facilitate the convergence of the Western Balkans with EU principles and
socio-economic standards. The success story of the European Union confirms that integration is a living
process requiring enduring engagement and constructive commitment.

Participants recognised the potential of cities, towns and municipalities in the framework of the CRM.

Participants recalled the importance of swiftly enabling free movement of people within the Western
Balkans as a concrete and tangible deliverable of the CRM for citizens of the region. In particular, the
Western Balkan Leaders reiterated their commitment to adopting the agreement on free movement of people with
ID cards and the agreement on third party citizens as soon as possible and before the next EU Western Balkans
summit. Special attention was also devoted to adopting swiftly the agreements on the mutual recognition of
academic and professional qualifications, which will facilitate the movement of professionals throughout the
Western Balkans.

It is now the task of the Western Balkan countries to conclude without delay the work undertaken and
facilitated by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and under the Central European Free Trade Agreement
(CEFTA) and to swiftly sign or adopt the relevant agreements and decisions for the benefit of citizens and
companies in the region.

Participants welcomed the prominent role played by the private sector in the implementation of the CRM,
to be developed further by means of close cooperation with the Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum
(WB6 CIF) and by implementing specific measures across all six Western Balkan countries. In particular, they
welcomed the establishment of a regional suppliers’ development programme by the WB6 CIF.

They also reiterated that the EU accession process, the Economic Reform Programme, and analyses and
recommendations for action issued by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) are to
remain important points of reference and benchmarks for measuring progress on necessary economic reform
across the Western Balkan countries. Participants acknowledged that the recommendations of the OECD South
East Europe (SEE) Competitiveness Outlook 2021 serve as guidance and inspiration for pursuing an ambitious,
inclusive and sustainable reform agenda in the Western Balkans. They agreed that the Outlook report provides
a necessary and useful evidence base for the post-COVID-19 recovery of the region.

Participants commended the extension of the Green Lanes to all intra-CEFTA crossing points and call for
the swift harmonisation of the working hours of the agencies involved in goods clearance, within the region
and with the neighboring EU Member States.

Participants welcomed the political willingness expressed by Greece to fully endorse the concept of
EU-WB6 Green Lanes and the commitment to work closely with the neighbouring WB6 parties, as well as with the
Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community and the CEFTA Secretariat, in enabling the concept to be
practically applied to the designated border-crossing points between Greece and its neighbouring Western
Balkans countries – Albania and North Macedonia – with full respect for the required EU procedures, notably
in the Schengen Agreement, regarding border crossing between an EU Member State and a candidate country.

Participants praised the key coordination role of the RCC, CEFTA and the Transport Community (TCT) in
fostering the creation and further consolidation of the Green Lanes.

Participants praised the organisation of the annual regional competition, Balkathon 2.0, which concluded
on 28 May 2021 and saw proposals for digital smart solutions from young people across the Western Balkans.

Participants welcomed the announcement by Montenegro that the next Western Balkans Digital Summit, a
flagship event of the regional economic integration agenda, will be held on 11-13 October 2021.

Participants reiterated the importance of sustainable transport connectivity as a cornerstone of the
economic and social integration of the Western Balkans. Development of the TEN-T network to the Western
Balkans should embrace green and digital transformation as an integral part of European ambition to achieve
its decarbonisation objectives. Participants confirmed their political willingness to develop
climate-resilient, intelligent and resource-efficient transport networks in the Western Balkans that should
serve to transport goods and passengers in the most effective and user-friendly way, in support of
sustainable mobility.

Participants committed to building connections between the Western Balkans and EU neighbours by creating
an interoperable setup for the development of a common transport market without barriers to boost the
region’s prospects for doing business.

They acknowledged the need to foster the creation of a level playing field for competitive rail
transport services in the Western Balkans, thus improving the overall efficiency of the transport services
and achieving the objectives for green and sustainable mobility. They recognised that people and businesses
in the region and the EU deserve safe, reliable, fast and comfortable railway connections between the Western
Balkans 6 capitals and between Western Balkans 6 and neighbouring EU capitals. They therefore agreed that
rail connectivity within and throughout the region must be reinforced through capital investments and comply
with EU rail interoperability standards.

Participants welcomed the progress achieved to date in the implementation of the Green Agenda for the
Western Balkans and recognised RCC efforts in coordinating the preparation of the first draft Action Plan.
They acknowledged that the entire process rests on regional ownership and the involvement of relevant
regional organisations and civil society. Recalling the importance of the “whole-of-economy” and
“whole-of-society” approach for the successful implementation of the Green Agenda, they called on all
relevant stakeholders to contribute to its implementation. They commended the EU’s role and support,
including financial assistance, in facilitating the achievement of the Sofia Commitments on the Green Agenda.

Participants also commended the launch of the Initiative for the Coal Regions in Transition in the
Western Balkans in the first quarter of 2021.

The Chair highlighted Germany’s commitment to appointing a Special Commissioner for the Implementation
of the Green Agenda in the Industrial and Energy Sectors of the Western Balkans.

Participants welcomed the fact that the Western Balkans 6 are now on the list for which travel
restrictions should be lifted. They congratulated the Commission and Council that the EU’s Digital COVID
Certificate is since 1 July operational, and welcomed the comprehensive package of financial support to be
provided to the Western Balkans to join the system. This funding would support the Western Balkans to develop
and/or adapt the necessary national digital infrastructure and back-end solutions to issue, verify and accept
digital green certificates according to the relevant EU technical specifications, and allow the
interoperability of the digital green certificates through the central EU Gateway. This will facilitate
travel in and out of the Western Balkans and into the EU and contribute to further mitigate the social and
economic impact of the pandemic.

Participants commended EU solidarity with the Western Balkans in fighting the pandemic, demonstrated by
the unmatched EU support for the region, including vaccine deliveries through the EU Vaccine Sharing
Mechanism. Continued EU and WHO support should enable strengthening of health systems in the Western Balkans
beyond the pandemic and to ensure better preparedness for future challenges.

Participants agreed that the crisis sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic offers an opportunity for closer
regional cooperation and further deepening of economic cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkans.
The significant financial resources provided by the EU and Member States to support socio-economic recovery
in the Western Balkans are to be invested in measures to strengthen competitiveness of SMEs and in regional
cooperation projects, such as infrastructure development. Cooperation with the EU must also be enhanced in
strategic fields of development, such as the use of hydrogen or battery development, building on proposals
from business associations and regional initiatives.

Participants concluded that corruption, money laundering and financial crime were shared security
threats, and welcomed progress made by the Berlin Process Security Commitments Steering Group to enhance
regional and international cooperation on preventing and combating drug smuggling, people trafficking,
weapons trafficking and violent extremism. The regional Illicit Finance and Anti-Corruption Roadmap agreed by
the WB6 Interior Ministers will contribute to improve implementation of existing illicit finance and
anti-corruption measures in line with international standards and recommendations.

Participants acknowledged the need for a multi-agency response, including cooperation with the private
sector and civil-society organisations, to increase the effectiveness of joint work to tackle serious and
organised crime, illicit finance, corruption and terrorism. The Leaders of the Western Balkans reaffirmed
their commitments to the Anti-Corruption Pledges agreed in London in 2018, recognising that responsibility
for building resilience to corruption lies with multiple public authorities, the private sector and
civil-society organisations, and that aspects of corruption linked to organised crime groups are of
particular relevance to the Ministries of Justice, Anti-Corruption Agencies, the Ministries of Finance and
the Ministries of the Interior.

At the same time, participants welcomed the EU having now taken over as Chair of the initiative and
acknowledged the role of Germany and France as Co-Chairs in actively pursuing work on its implementation.
Likewise, they noted that the Roadmap has shaped the design of the EU Action Plan on Firearms Trafficking.
They encouraged international partners and donors to continue providing financial support to this important
initiative, given its crucial role in tackling potential transnational threats. In particular, they called
for contributions to the funding mechanisms established for this purpose, including the UN Multi-Partner
Trust Fund.

Participants commended the activities of the Migration, Asylum, Refugees Regional Initiative (MARRI) as
a platform for discussing and developing migration policies and strategies.

Participants stressed the utmost importance of continuing to focus on efforts to meet expectations of
change. The Western Balkan Leaders committed to finding acceptable, binding and durable solutions for all
sides involved, given the negative impact on the region and its citizens of not doing so. On good neighbourly
relations, participants committed to redoubling energies devoted to resolving outstanding bilateral issues,
in line with the region’s EU aspirations and commitments made, inter alia, at the Vienna and London Western
Balkans Summits in 2015 and 2018 respectively. Bilateral differences continued to prevent the region from
realising its true potential. Overcoming these impediments would advance socio-economic development and
nurture peace and prosperity.

Participants reaffirmed the importance of recognising and respecting international and domestic court
verdicts on war crimes, rejecting hate speech and the glorification of war criminals, supporting domestic
prosecutors in bringing perpetrators to justice, supporting victims and addressing stigma, and strengthening
cooperation with the UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.

Participants noted the importance of including the Roma integration dimension in mainstream policies,
including the Digital Agenda and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (enhancing digital skills, digital
education, environmental justice and green transformation). They acknowledged the value of actively
supporting the Roma population’s transition from informal employment to the formal economy.

Participants reaffirmed their support for RYCO and emphasised the important role it plays in enhancing
cooperation among young citizens in the region as a key driver of good neighbourly relations, cooperation,
reconciliation and peacebuilding. They welcomed RYCO efforts to establish a regional School Exchange Scheme.
By ensuring continuous support in this field, RYCO will open a new dimension of youth exchange that will
further contribute to peacebuilding and reconciliation in the region.

Participants underlined that reconciliation cannot be the task of RYCO alone, but that all governments
must make increased efforts in this area by including representatives of civil society, media, educational
institutions and other relevant stakeholders.

Participants also welcomed the cooperation between RYCO and the Franco-German Youth Office that
facilitates the embedding of regional dialogue on reconciliation and cooperation in the Western Balkans into
a wider European context.

Participants recognised the results of the Western Balkans Youth Forum 2021 and the Regional Youth
Agenda developed by young people from the Western Balkans and the EU.

Participants reiterated the importance of young people for the future of the Western Balkans and the
need to take concrete measures to develop the region as a place of opportunities for young people to stay and
live by increasing the intra-regional mobility of young citizens, taking decisive steps in the mutual
recognition of academic degrees and professional qualifications, strengthening vocational education and
training, supporting youth entrepreneurship and innovations, fostering digital transformation and making
improvements in the field of sustainable development and environmental protection. The focus should be on
investing in youth empowerment, strengthening youth organisations and networks their integration into
European umbrella organisations, and stimulating volunteering and community work.

Participants recognised the Western Balkan youth as the key force for promotion of European integration
and stressed the need to involve this group to a greater extent in European processes such as the Conference
on the Future of Europe.

The Civil Society and Think Tank Forum 2021 consisted of two digital events, the first aimed at
developing recommendations and the second at presenting and discussing them with policymakers. Participants
welcomed the recommendations elaborated by the Forum’s ten working groups, with specific regard to the
stronger inclusion of citizens in EU enlargement processes, the importance of reconciliation and free and
independent media, the focus on the environment and energy transition, and the full integration of Roma and
minorities.

Participants noted the role of data collection, management and exchange, e-health, testing and tracing
technologies, isolation procedures and mass immunisation in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and improving
regional preparedness for health crises.

They also underlined the key role of education, digitalization, IT development, new economic models
based on smart specialisation and green technologies and of a decent health care system in boosting
post-pandemic recovery and reinforcing socio-economic cohesion and resilience in the Western Balkans.

They reiterated the key role of education, science and research in sustaining innovation processes and
moving from a “brain drain” to a “brain gain” and “brain circulation” dynamic in the region. They renewed the
firm commitment to the Western Balkans Research Initiative and welcomed the preparation of a Western Balkans
Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport to be signed following the Summit.

Participants stressed the importance and the Chair highlighted German commitment to implementing an
institutional partnership on procurement, state-aid and competition law with the six academies offering
further education for the public sector in the Western Balkans.

Participants stressed the need for the continuation of the Berlin Process in order to harness the full
potential of improved regional cooperation, also with a view to overcoming the socio-economic consequences of
the COVID-19 pandemic.