During the Think Tank Forum that will inaugurate this event on 3 July at the Poznan International Fair, experts and invited guests from the region will discuss European aspirations of the Western Balkans region, challenges facing the European enlargement policy as well as the future of the Berlin Process, among other topics.

Plenary sessions in the formats of foreign ministers, of economic ministers and of internal affairs ministers will take place during the next day of the summit. The meeting of the chiefs of diplomacy will be chaired by Minister Jacek Czaputowicz. On that day, Undersecretary of State at the MFA Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk will sign an agreement between Poland and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank to provide financial support to infrastructural projects implemented in the Western Balkans region as part of the Western Balkans Investment Framework.

‎A Civil Society Forum i.e. a platform for exchanging experiences and cooperation for NGOs and a Business Forum the aim of which will be to help entrepreneurs find contacts and gain expert knowledge will also be held on 4 July. A debate “Navigating the Future: How to Prepare for the Revolution in Trade, Services and Industry” will be held during the Civil Society Forum and the Business Forum. It will be attended by Minister Jacek Czaputowicz, Minister of Entrepreneurship and Technology Jadwiga Emilewicz, Secretary General of the OECD José Ángela Gurria, EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy Johannes Hahn and Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Majlinda Bregu. Ministers Czaputowicz and Emilewicz will also inaugurate an OECD conference during which a special publication on the economic situation of the Western Balkans region will be presented. It was prepared by the OECD with Poland’s financial support.

On 5 July, heads of government of the partners of the Berlin Process will meet at the Leaders’ Summit to discuss the most important issues for the Western Balkans region. The plenary session will be inaugurated by President Andrzej Duda, and meeting will be hosted by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

The Western Balkans Summit in Poznan is the main event of the Polish Presidency of the Berlin Process in 2019. The Berlin Process is an initiative launched by Germany that brings together partners from the Western Balkans and a part of EU Member States. The Polish presidency’s priorities are: economy, connectivity, civil society and security.

MFA Press Office ‎