The “Brdo-Brijuni Process” Leaders Summit was held in the city of Kavaje in western Albania.
Albanian President Bajram Begaj, who hosted the summit where issues concerning the Western Balkans as well as integration processes in the region were discussed, Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar and Croatian President Zoran Milanovic, as well as North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic, from the countries in the region. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Chairman of the Presidential Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatian member Zeljko Komsic, Bosnian member Denis Becirovic and Serbian member Zeljka Cvijanovic also attended.
Speaking at the joint press conference held after the summit, Begaj said that the summit was important in terms of exchanging ideas and visions regarding the future of the region.
Begaj stated that they discussed current geopolitical challenges and increasing regional cooperation together with other leaders in the region and said, “At today’s summit, we emphasized that the Western Balkans have taken important steps in terms of strengthening regional cooperation, security and economic relations. However, our region faces security problems that require increased cooperation.” he said.
Emphasizing that Albania has made significant and sustainable progress towards European Union (EU) membership, Begaj noted that Albania aims to complete technical negotiations by 2027 and become a full member of the EU by 2030.
Begaj said, “Albania’s desire to join the EU is not only a political goal, but also a national mission. EU integration enjoys wide support in the Albanian society because it reflects fundamental values such as democracy, human rights and the rule of law. These values form the foundations of the European future that Albania is building with determination.” he said.
“This forum has proven since 2010 that regional countries can create a space for dialogue”
Slovenian President Pirc Musar stated that the summit has created an area for the dialogue of the countries in the region since 2010.
Noting that they hope to continue cooperation with the countries in the region within the scope of the Brdo-Brijuni process, Pirc Musar stated that the problem of climate change and sustainable development in the Western Balkans cannot be ignored.
Stating that good neighborly relations, regional stability and reconciliation are the foundations of the European future of the Western Balkans, Pirc Musar said, “This is where we build the European future of the region. It will bring stability, prosperity and, above all, new opportunities to our citizens. I believe that we can only reach this future together.” made his assessment.
“The EU is no longer as strong as it thought until recently”
Croatian President Zoran Milanovic also stated that Croatia will continue to support the countries in the region.
Milanovic noted the importance of the forum in terms of dialogue between the countries of the region and said, “This Forum is a dialogue that emphasizes good relations and is valuable.” shared his opinion.
Stating that the forum is important in terms of seeing the problems of the EU, Milanovic said, “One of the biggest problems of the EU is that real European leaders cannot communicate with the actors in the world. The EU is no longer as strong as it thought until recently.” He said his words.
Brdo-Brijuni Process
The Brdo-Brijuni Process was launched in 2013, at the initiative of Slovenia and Croatia, to evaluate the EU’s enlargement process, to exchange views on the solution of the current problems between the countries in the region, and to determine economic and infrastructural priorities that will be in the interest of all countries in the region.
It was decided to organize the Brdo-Brijuni Process summits, which provide an environment for unofficial dialogue at the highest level between Southeastern European countries and EU member states, on July 1, 2013, when Croatia became an EU member.
The summit, which was first held in Zagreb on July 1, 2013, was later held in Brdo, near the Slovenian city of Kranj, on July 25, with the participation of the then French President François Hollande, and was therefore called the “Brdo-Brijuni Process”.
