Berlin Process
The Berlin Process is a diplomatic initiative linked to the future enlargement of the European Union. It started with the 2014 Berlin Conference, which was followed by the 2015 Vienna Summit, the 2016 Paris Summit, the 2017 Trieste Summit and the 2018 London Summit. The Berlin Process was initiated in order to consolidate and maintain the dynamics of the EU integration process in light of increased euroscepticism and the five-year moratorium on enlargement announced by Commission President Jean Claude Juncker.
The Berlin Process is an intergovernmental cooperation initiative aimed at revitalizing the multilateral ties between the Western Balkans and selected EU member states, and at improving regional cooperation in the Western Balkans on the issues of infrastructure and economic development. It is one of the flagship diplomatic initiatives on South-east Europe of the third Merkel cabinet. It is complemented by initiatives relating to specific South-east European countries.
The initiative includes six Western Balkan countries that are candidates for EU membership or potential candidates and some EU members, i.e.: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovenia and the United Kingdom.
The 2019 presidency is held by Poland. The 2019 Poznań summit took place from 4 to 5 July 2019.
