Interparliamentary conference “A decade of the Berlin Process: Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead”

On December 12, the Institute for Democracy (IDSCS) in collaboration with the Network for Progressive Initiatives (NPI) from Bosnia and Herzegovina organized the interparliamentary conference “A Decade of the Berlin Process: Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead” in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The welcoming remarks were delivered by the host representative Anida Šabanović, Program Manager at NPI, alongside Jasmin Emrić and Šemsudin Mehmedović Members of Parliament.

Šabanović highlighted the role of parliamentary diplomacy as a driving force behind fostering regional trust and progress.

“Together, we have strived to elevate the role of parliamentary diplomacy as a key tool in building trust, fostering dialogue, and aligning our efforts toward shared goals” stated Šabanović.

Emrić stressed the importance of seizing the opportunity to strengthen regional cooperation, emphasizing that there is no alternative to dialogue or the region’s collective move toward the European Union.

“This conference reaffirms that neither dialogue nor the European path has an alternative for us. We must seize this opportunity to further enhance regional cooperation and ensure that our countries become part of the single European market” said Emrić.

Mehmedović emphasized the role and responsibility of the parliamentarians in shaping regional policies.

“It is our responsibility to promote democratic values and ensure transparent dialogue. This event provides a platform to reaffirm our commitment to regional cooperation and chart steps forward for advancing the Berlin Process” stated Mehmedović.

The first panel discussed the progress and future objectives under the Berlin Process

The first panel titled “International Perspectives: Berlin Process Progress and Future Goals” discussed the progress and future objectives under the Berlin Process with a focus on key achievements and persistent challenges in the region. The session gathered Danijela Gačević, Acting Director of the CEFTA Secretariat, Amer Kapetanović, designated Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and Stefano Ellero, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the EU to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The discussion was monitored by Hata Kujrakovic, Researcher at NPI.

Lessons Learned and Next Steps

The second panel “Western Balkans at a Decade of the Berlin Process: Lessons Learned and Next Steps” emphasized the importance of regional economic integration and the tangible benefits that citizens gain from the Berlin Process. The discussion was moderated by Juljana Bilbilaj, Project Manager at the institute for Political Studies and the panelists included Members of Parliaments from the Western Balkans region, including Kreshnik Çollaku, Ermina Salkičević-Dizdarević, Jovan Subotić and Agon Batusha.

This event was part of the “Parliamentary Diplomacy: Regional Cooperation through Enhanced Parliamentary Dialogue” project, which aims to promote the laws and benefits of the Berlin Process through the promotion of parliamentary diplomacy and the use of oversight mechanisms by the parliaments of the Western Balkans region.

The project is implemented by six project partners in each of the six Western Balkans countries. The lead partner is the Institute for Democracy (IDSCS). The other project partners are Institute Alternativa (IA), Institute for Political Studies (ISP), CRTA – Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability, Kosova Democratic Institute (KDI), and the Network of Progressive Initiatives (NPI).