Berlin Process summit in Montenegro: Merz calls for progress in Kosovo–Serbia dialogue, Kurti raises issue of 1,500 missing persons

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti brought the commitments made at the 2018 London Summit back into focus during a meeting of the leaders of the Berlin Process, being held in Miločer, near Budva. Merz called for responsibility and immediate progress in the Kosovo–Serbia dialogue, while Kurti called for justice for war crimes and for the fate of more than 1,500 missing persons to be clarified.

Kurti also mentioned the 23 bodies of Albanians recently exhumed in Zubin Potok. The summit, being held today, marks the conclusion of Montenegro’s chairmanship of the Berlin Process and brings together the leaders of the six Western Balkan countries, along with senior European officials.

Merz called on Pristina and Belgrade to avoid escalation and rhetoric that fuels conflict. Referring to the 2018 London agreements, he recalled that the participating countries had rejected hate speech and the glorification of war criminals.

“If we want to create a better future for our children, we must not pour gasoline on the fire,” the German chancellor said. According to him, this approach should also apply to the dialogue aimed at normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia, as the current situation is hindering all sides. Merz called on both countries to show responsibility and make progress.

The German chancellor described the creation of a stable, peaceful Western Balkans with a dynamic economy as an important interest for the future of the European Union. He said EU membership remains a realistic objective for states that implement reforms, but stressed that the process must continue on the basis of merit.

Speaking about protests in the region and in several EU countries, Merz said that violence cannot be an alternative for either side. He also warned against polarization and divisive language.

Merz praised the results achieved during the 12 years of the Berlin Process, citing the free movement of workers, investment, tourism, the green agenda and digital services. He singled out Montenegro as the country closest to completing the EU accession process.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said before the summit began that the region was facing a defining period for its European future. “We have decisive weeks and months ahead of us,” she said.

According to Kos, Montenegro must complete its accession negotiations, while Sunday’s parliamentary elections in Serbia represent a key moment. Albania, she said, must maintain the pace of European integration. Regarding Kosovo, the commissioner stressed the need to continue in line with international law and the rule of law.

During media statements in Miločer, Albin Kurti called for Kosovo to be granted candidate status and for accession negotiations with the EU to be opened. He argued that the country has democratic functionality, institutional stability and economic growth.

“Now is the time for our country to receive candidate status and open accession negotiations with the EU,” Kurti said. He announced that he would ask the leaders of the European Union to turn to the European Commission for an opinion on the matter.

A day earlier, in Sveti Stefan, Prime Minister Kurti met with Commissioner Marta Kos. After the meeting, he said that Kosovo, now with fully functional institutions, would accelerate its reforms. As an example, he mentioned the recent law on integration into the SEPA zone, which he said would save citizens, businesses and the diaspora around 58 million euros annually.

Kurti also announced that negotiations on “Roam like at Home” would begin soon and called on the European Commission to provide proactive support for obtaining candidate status.

Kosovo submitted its application for EU membership in December 2022, but has still not obtained candidate status. Its progress toward the EU is also linked to the normalization of relations with Serbia through the Brussels-mediated dialogue.

Kurti called on all countries to implement the agreements reached within the framework of the Berlin Process, placing particular emphasis on Serbia. According to him, Kosovo has ratified all the agreements, including the one on the recognition of diplomas.

The agreement on the recognition of higher-education qualifications was signed in Berlin on November 3, 2022. At the same time, agreements were also signed on freedom of movement using identity cards and on the recognition of the professional qualifications of doctors, dentists and architects.

The Kosovo Assembly ratified all three agreements in February 2023, while Serbia’s Assembly approved them on April 28, 2023. For this reason, Kurti’s request concerns their concrete implementation.

The summit brought together all the leaders of the region: Albin Kurti, Edi Rama, Milojko Spajić, Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Macut, North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Borjana Krišto.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker and France’s minister for Europe, Benjamin Haddad, also took part in the meeting. Italy was represented by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on behalf of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Representatives of the World Bank, the European Investment Bank and the EBRD were also present.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama described the summit as an “annual ritual” of importance to the region. At the beginning of his statement, he joked about security measures in Montenegro, saying that there are always helicopters overhead in the country.

Montenegro continues to be considered the region’s most advanced state on its path toward the European Union. So far, it has provisionally closed 21 of the 33 negotiating chapters.

However, Podgorica’s progress is being slowed by neighboring Croatia because of several unresolved bilateral issues. These include war crimes, missing persons, state property, the maritime border and the sailing ship “Jadran”.

During Montenegro’s chairmanship of the Berlin Process, 26 activities were held, 14 of them at ministerial level. This is the largest number of events organized within the framework of the initiative.

The Berlin Process was established by Germany in 2014. The initiative aims to strengthen political and economic cooperation among Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to accelerate their rapprochement with the European Union.