Tirana, 16 October 2023 (MIA) - Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski took part Monday at the first session of the Berlin Process Leaders' Summit dedicated to the integration of the Western Balkans in the EU Single Market and improvement of the convergence with the Union.

Session participants highlighted the importance of EU's enlargement and the Berlin Process's key role as generator of regional cooperation and the Union integration process, the Government said in a press release.

Leaders noted the Process' inclusive format as a catalyst for economic integration, investments and networking projects aimed at reconciliation, security, growth, employment and prosperity. They presented their positions over the role of the common regional market that ensures deeper transformation of the area's economic transformation. Opinions were also exchanged on the joint efforts in meeting the goal of all Western Balkans' states, considering that such regional initiatives provide a strong incentive to keep this trajectory of regional cooperation.

PM Kovachevski stressed the importance of the reform process across the Western Balkans, thus accelerating economic growth, supporting competitiveness, opening new companies and new jobs, in parallel with the progress in the area of rule of law, countering corruption and good governance, thus bringing the region closer to the EU.

The session also tackled the agreements that regional states sign within the Berlin Process, ensuring greater professional mobility, higher level of cooperation and networking. Kovachevski referred to the importance of cooperation among countries in the area, thus giving the EU the option to enlarge its influence in the region, strengthen stability and oppose potential outside influences, reads the press release.

The panel also included German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, as well as PMs and senior officials of EU member-states, a number of financial institutions, and countries involved in the Berlin Process - Germany, France, Austria, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia and the UK.

Prime Ministers of Spain and the Netherlands, Pedro Sanchez and Mark Rutte respectively, also supported today's session, although their countries are not part of the Berlin Process.

Photo: Government