European PMs flock to Poland to discuss Western Balkans

Those expected to attend the 6th Western Balkans Summit in the Polish city of Poznań included Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Britain’s Theresa May and France’s Édouard Philippe, in addition to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The Western Balkans Summit kicked off in Poznań on Wednesday with a Think Tank Forum during which experts brainstormed issues including the European aspirations of Western Balkan nations.

On Thursday, government ministers from various European countries, notably those in charge of foreign, economic and internal affairs, met for plenary sessions.

A Civil Society Forum focusing on NGOs was also held on Thursday, alongside a Business Forum to enable entrepreneurs to network and establish contacts.

A debate entitled “Navigating the Future: How to Prepare for the Revolution in Trade, Services and Industry” was among the highlights of the day.

Those attending the debate included Poland’s Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz and Entreprise and Technology Minister Jadwiga Emilewicz.

Czaputowicz said on Thursday that Europe could not be seen as fully united without the Western Balkans. He also said that Poland wanted to increase the stability and development of the Western Balkans through stronger cooperation with the region’s countries.

The 6th Western Balkans Summit in Poland’s Poznań was being held as part of the Berlin Process, an initiative launched by Germany and aiming to promote regional cooperation among Western Balkan countries aspiring to join the European Union.

The Berlin Process brings together EU membership candidates Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania, and potential candidates Bosnia-and-Herzegovina and Kosovo, as well as eight EU member states.

Poland this year holds the rotating presidency of the Berlin Process.

Previous Western Balkans Summits were held in Vienna in 2015; Paris in 2016; Trieste, Italy, in 2017; and London last year.

(gs/pk)

Source: IAR, gov.pl