Minister Grlić Radman participates in videoconference of Berlin Process foreign ministers

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Tuesday participated in a videoconference of the foreign ministers of the Berlin Process member states

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Tuesday participated in a videoconference of the foreign ministers of the Berlin Process member states.

“The Berlin Process has yielded numerous tangible results. Primarily, it reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to enlargement, gave impetus to concrete regional cooperation and helped strengthen ties, both among the six Western Balkan countries and between them and the EU,” Grlić Radman said.

The minister added that the Western Balkans had been seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but that the pervious year’s Berlin Process summit in Sofia had created a framework for recovery. “In times of crisis, we have to show solidarity with those in need. Croatia is among the first EU member states to implement the Vaccine Sharing Mechanism, through which we are donating vaccines to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia,” he underscored.

Grlić Radman reiterated Croatia’s support for the European path of the Western Balkan countries, notably Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressing that the country’s stability was in the interest of both Croatia and the EU as a whole. He underlined the necessity of resolving the most pressing issues in the country, such as the election law reform, as well as the opportunity to do so this year.

The minister invited the countries that still have not recognized Kosovo to do so, for the positive effect it would have on the security and stability of Southeast Europe. In addition, he expressed hope that a consensus would be reached without delay on the negotiating frameworks for Albania and North Macedonia, followed by intergovernmental conferences with both countries, as well as intergovernmental conferences with Montenegro and Serbia under the new methodology.

The conference also saw the participation of representatives of EU institutions, the Regional Cooperation Council and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office. Hosting the Berlin Process in 2021 is Germany.

 

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