Poland consistently supports EU aspirations of our partners from the Western Balkans. We expect the enlargement process to gather pace and call for strengthening political dialogue with the candidate countries - Minister Zbigniew Rau emphasised in his address.

The minister also mentioned Poland’s current V4 presidency, the goals of which include support for the European integration process of the Western Balkans, and announced that V4 and Western Balkan foreign ministers will be meeting in Rogalin on 28 June.

Launched in 2004, the Berlin Process is a complementary instrument to EU enlargement policy. It supports regional cooperation in the Western Balkans, particularly on the economy and infrastructure connectivity, but also bringing societies close to one another, youth cooperation, and the reconciliation process. - Poland is confident that the Berlin Process has true added value -  said Minister Rau, stressing that citizens of the region really need to feel the positive effects of the implemented reforms and integration process, especially today, when they are additionally confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic’s aftermath. In this context, he pointed out the importance of a Common Regional Market in the Western Balkans. He furthermore expressed his satisfaction that the German presidency’s agenda will include strengthening civil society, supporting young people, and the reconciliation process, all of which were also the horizontal priorities of the Polish presidency of the Berlin Process in 2019.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Office

Photo: Tymon Markowski / MFA